Morocco plans to increase its hotel capacity by 60,000 beds in preparation for co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Tourism Minister Fatima-Zahra Ammor told Reuters.
This planned expansion represents approximately a 20% increase in Morocco’s current hotel capacity. Over the past four years, the country has added 45,000 hotel beds, bringing the total to just over 300,000, according to official figures cited by Reuters.
“We see the 2030 FIFA World Cup as an accelerator, not an end in itself,” the minister said.
The government is investing over 190 billion dirhams in railways, roads, airports, stadiums, and other urban infrastructure projects for the tournament, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. FIFA has not yet determined the number of matches each country will stage.
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Morocco aims to build on the momentum generated by the Atlas Lions’ recent World Cup campaigns. The national team made history as the first African and Arab side to reach the semifinals in Qatar in 2022 and then advanced to the quarterfinals in the latest edition of the tournament.
Tourism contributes approximately 7% to Morocco’s gross domestic product and employs hundreds of thousands of people. Last year, the country welcomed nearly 20 million visitors, making it Africa’s most visited destination.
Authorities project attracting 26 million tourists by 2030. Bank Al-Maghrib anticipates tourism revenues will reach a record 161 billion dirhams in 2027, an increase from 138 billion dirhams in 2025.
Ammor stated that the next phase of growth will prioritize attracting more visitors from China, the United States, and the Middle East by improving air connectivity.
Morocco also intends to diversify its tourism offerings beyond traditional destinations like Marrakech and Agadir. As part of this strategy, Rabat is expected to strengthen its position as a destination for cultural and sporting events, as well as business travel.
“We need to make investments that create lasting value for Moroccan tourism,” Ammor told Reuters.
