Morocco is preparing to significantly expand its hospitality sector, with plans to add 60,000 hotel beds before the country takes on a co-hosting role for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, according to the nation’s tourism minister.
The North African nation has gained renewed global attention following a strong showing in the most recent World Cup, building on its historic run four years ago in Qatar, when it became the first African and Arab nation ever to advance to the semi-finals.
Government officials are looking to turn that spotlight into real, lasting benefits for Morocco’s tourism economy — a sector that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and accounts for roughly 7% of the country’s gross domestic product.
“We see the 2030 FIFA World Cup as an accelerator, not an end in itself,” Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor told Reuters.
To prepare for the tournament, Morocco’s government is pouring more than 190 billion dirhams — approximately $20 billion — into upgrading and building rail lines, roads, airports, stadiums, and other urban infrastructure. Morocco is one of three primary co-hosts for the event, alongside Portugal and Spain, though how many matches each country will host has not yet been determined.
Morocco has already made notable strides in its hospitality industry, adding 45,000 hotel beds over the past four years. That brings the country’s current total to just over 300,000 beds, according to official figures.
Last year, the country welcomed close to 20 million visitors, ranking it as the most-visited destination on the African continent. Officials are now aiming to draw 26 million tourists annually by 2030.
Morocco’s central bank projects that tourism revenue will climb to a record 161 billion dirhams by 2027, up from 138 billion dirhams in 2025.
Expanded air service from European cities has also helped fuel the sector’s growth. Ammor said the next stage of development will focus on drawing more visitors from China, the United States, and the Middle East by improving air connectivity to those markets.
Morocco is also working to spread tourism beyond its well-known destinations like Marrakech and Agadir. Part of that effort involves positioning the capital city of Rabat — home to centuries-old monuments, museums, and sports venues — as a destination for cultural gatherings, sporting events, and business travel.
“We need to make investments that create lasting value for Moroccan tourism,” Ammor said.
