Morocco to Boost Hotel Capacity by a Fifth Ahead of 2030 World Cup

Morocco plans to increase its hotel capacity by 20 per cent, adding 25,000 new rooms, as part of a four-billion-dollar investment drive ahead of its co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

According to the Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT), the expansion spans 700 projects across the country’s major cities and represents one of the most significant hotel-sector expansions ever undertaken in the kingdom, both in scale and pace.

Imad Barrakad, head of SMIT, said three-quarters of the planned projects would be funded by Moroccan investors, while international hotel brands are expected to manage at least 15 per cent of the new capacity.

Morocco was Africa’s leading tourist destination for a second consecutive year in 2025, recording almost 20 million visitors and generating about 14.8 billion dollars in tourism receipts, according to the country’s Ministry of Tourism. Tourism contributes about seven per cent to Morocco’s gross domestic product and employs thousands of people.

The hotel expansion forms part of a wider infrastructure push, with the government investing more than 190 billion dirhams in rail, road, and airport upgrades, alongside new and renovated stadiums, ahead of the tournament. Officials say the strategy also aims to strengthen air connectivity with markets including China, the United States, and the Middle East, and to extend tourism growth beyond established destinations such as Marrakech and Agadir to cities including Rabat.

Morocco’s historic cities of Marrakesh, Fez, and Tangier remain major draws for international visitors. The country has already tested elements of its World Cup preparations during the Africa Cup of Nations, when it upgraded stadiums, transport networks, and urban infrastructure to accommodate large crowds.

Construction on the new hotel projects is expected to continue in phases through to 2030, when Morocco will host World Cup matches jointly with Spain and Portugal.