Morocco invests in the hospitality sector
Morocco is investing in the hospitality industry with the aim of consolidating its position as one of the leading tourist destinations at both regional and international level. According to Al-Arab, the programme launched for the sector in 2024 was conceived in the wake of the 2025 African Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup.
The Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy reported last year that the Tourism Project Bank had initially submitted more than 200 projects. Thanks to this, when it came to investing, it was possible to consider the most promising ideas.
The Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, explained: ‘Our government has managed to revise the decrees of Law 80-14, adopted in 2015, thanks to a great joint effort with professionals and all stakeholders.’
All hotels and accommodation facilities will be classified by stars in accordance with the international system. These will include establishments that convey the true spirit of Morocco, such as riads and kasbahs. This classification will be valid for seven years and will be renewed every five years after another evaluation.
Quality is also extremely important, which is why, from time to time, expert auditors will make secret purchases and evaluate services according to a list of criteria drawn up with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, which is estimated to number up to 800.
Another new development in the hospitality industry is ‘Semi-detached Real Estate Residences’: luxury hotel investors will be allowed to build houses and villas nearby and sell them to those who wish to stay in them.
The transition period for the implementation of the new regulations for those working in tourism will be two years.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, all these measures are expected to influence prices, especially during the summer season, so that they remain affordable without compromising quality. Expectations are high because this is the sector that contributes the most to the country's income, ranking third in the Arab world in terms of visitor numbers in 2024.
According to Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, more than 17 million tourists visited the country last year, with a 20% increase in the number of overnight stays compared to 2023. Between 2015 and 2024, the hospitality industry generated approximately 2.6 billion dollars, as indicated in the report ‘Investing in Morocco’.
In summary, these regulations for the hospitality industry have three objectives: to guarantee the quality and safety of services, to integrate those marginalised from the sector and to optimise the benefits for tourists.
Collaboration with UNWTO
The Ministry of Tourism, in the process of developing the programme, collaborated with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
It should be noted that Morocco is a member of the institution's executive council from 2022 to 2025.
Last January, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, met with UN Tourism to establish strategies for improving the sector in the country.
According to Maroc.ma, ‘the UN official (Zurab Pololikashvili) presented the English version of a promotional publication entitled 'Tourism Doing Business Investing in Morocco', which will be used to inform potential investors of opportunities in Morocco during international exhibitions and fairs, bearing in mind that the international organisation intends to translate this publication into several languages: Arabic, Chinese, Spanish and French’.
Pololikashvili also indicated that the nation is an extremely attractive location for investors due to its geostrategic location.
The organisation detailed in its report 'Investing in Morocco' that tourism revenues increased by 43% compared to 2019 and by 28% compared to 2023. In addition, in the same document, Natalia Bayona, Executive Director of UN Tourism, revealed that the nation has established itself as the fifth largest African economy in terms of GDP.
Without a doubt, UNWTO has analysed that the Kingdom of Morocco is a magnificent place for tourism investment due to its location, stability and also due to its tireless efforts to improve and provide the best experience for those who wish to spend a few days in the country.
