[MENA Focus 2026년 7월호] 주한 모로코 왕국 대사 기고문: 모로코 – 관광 부문 투자의 하이라이트

Morocco – Highlights on Tourism Sector Investments

Dr. Chafik RACHADI, Ambassador of His Majesty the King of Morocco

Morocco, a constitutional and parliamentary Monarchy, one of the oldest kingdoms in the World with 1200 years of history, located in North Africa, led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is strategically located, connecting Africa and Europe, with a diversified economy with a strategic and competitive exporting hub. Morocco covers a vast area of 710,850 square kilometers and has an extensive coastline that stretches for 3,500 kilometers framed by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the north, offering a diverse and picturesque landscape.

Morocco is home to approximately 37 million people, and is expected to grow to 43 million by 2050, boasting a linguistic tapestry with Arabic and Amazigh as its official languages, reflecting the rich cultural diversity within the nation. The capital city is Rabat, a city that encapsulates the nation’s historical significance and modern vibrancy.

Overview on Tourism Industry

Morocco, with its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, warm hospitality, and inherent potential, offers myriad opportunities, making it a premium destination for investments in the tourism industry. Morocco has positioned itself as a robust and innovative player in the continental region, continuously enhancing its business offerings to meet the diverse needs of potential investors, especially in the tourism sector. The Moroccan tourism industry has consistently displayed resilience in the face of challenges and crises, showing its ability to adapt and recover quickly. This resilience highlights its stability and attracts investors looking for long-term opportunities. Moreover, the Moroccan government supports the tourism sector through a new strategic roadmap for 2023-2026, aiming to attract 17.5 million tourists by 2026.

Under the visionary guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, considerable progress in the tourism sector has been made, currently placing Morocco among the most attractive countries for international tourism investors. Additionally, it is noteworthy that Morocco will host one of the major global events, the FIFA 2030 World Cup. This event presents an undeniable opportunity to attract significant Foreign Direct Investment into the tourism industry. The improvements in infrastructure and heightened visibility brought about by the World Cup will undoubtedly fuel the sector’s growth and create new investment opportunities.

Investment Policies Boosting Tourism Sector

Morocco’s political stability, its competitive edge, the openness of its economy and its forward-thinking investment policies collectively positions the country as a privileged destination for both national and international investors. Key pillars highlighting Morocco’s status as a regional hub and an attractive investment destination include its stable political environment, guided by a royal long-term vision, its top-tier infrastructure, and its ongoing efforts to enhance the business environment.

Furthermore, Morocco has undertaken significant initiatives to modernize its legal and regulatory framework, streamline administrative procedures through digitization, and reinforce access to finance. These efforts include the implementation of various financial mechanisms. Additionally, Morocco has made substantial investments in building ecosystems within strategic sectors like manufacturing, energy, and tourism. These efforts not only bolster the capacity for private investment but also exemplify Morocco’s dedication to fostering sustainable growth and creating employment opportunities. In addition to these assets, Morocco provides a plethora of incentives designed to attract and support investors. The Moroccan government has adopted a groundbreaking new Investment Charter. This comprehensive framework offers various schemes and instruments aimed at supporting investment, enhancing the business climate, and ensuring unified governance.

Significantly, the upcoming organization of the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Morocco presents a significant opportunity to attract foreign direct investment. The extensive preparations for this important event, which include the development of cutting-edge stadiums, upgraded transportation systems, and tourism projects, will solidify Morocco’s position as a catalyst for investment across various sectors.

Tourism Sector : a Strategic Importance Enhanced by Favorable Business Climate

Morocco’s tourism sector is currently experiencing unprecedented growth, attracting interest from both investors and numerous international hotel brands. Promising indicators include significant annual increases in hotel capacity, sustained levels of Foreign Direct Investment in tourism despite the post-pandemic context. The Moroccan government regards tourism as a sector of strategic importance, and has recently launched the new tourism roadmap, which aims to position Morocco among the top global destinations and enhance tourism’s contribution to the national economy, and employment opportunities creation.

Tourism at the Heart of the Moroccan Economic Growth

Morocco has a significant potential of tourism resources that is not sufficiently exploited and offers a variety of investment opportunities. With its diverse landscapes, ranging from the Sahara Desert to the Atlas Mountains and the Atlantic Coast, Morocco offers a wealth of natural wonders to explore for creating new investments. It has more than 3,500 km of coastline and 11 national parks. The country is also home to numerous historic cities, including Fez, Marrakesh, and Rabat. Each city with its unique cultural landmarks such as impressive mosques, palaces, and fortresses. The medinas, or historic walled cities, are particularly significant, providing a glimpse into the country’s past with their amazing architecture, vibrant markets and narrow winding streets.

Morocco has created an increasingly attractive destination for investment with a set of incentive schemes, which reflects the growth of foreign tourism investments directed towards high added-value projects. In fact, Morocco is ranked as the leader in tourism Greenfield FDI among the members of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa.

In order to encourage private investment, Morocco adopted a new investment charter in 2023 to stimulate economic growth and strengthen its international attractiveness. This new charter aims to support tourism investment by offering a financial support up to 30% of the capital expenditure in addition to facilitating the act of investing, mainly through the simplification of the administrative procedures and the facilitation of access to land.

Regarding its importance to the Moroccan economy, the tourism sector has benefited from a new roadmap 2023-2026 with an offensive and an ambitious plan to strengthen airline’s connectivity, a marketing and promotion plan focused on digitalization and partnerships with tour operators, strengthening human capital through training programs to upgrade skills of professional resources, support for the development of the entertainment industry and the implementation of locomotive projects. Furthermore, the aim is also to improve the attractiveness of thematic sectors and the promotion of tourism assets to enhance the enchantment for the different destinations.

Geographical Strategic Location and World-Class Infrastructure

Morocco is located 14km from Europe, which has facilitated the access to an international market of over 1 billion consumers. It has also developed top-class trade and transport infrastructure exemplified by the Tangiers Med Port, with its 184 connections to 77 countries. All these contributed to its reputation as a strategic and competitive exporting hub in the region. There are 19 international airports and 43 ports as well as very well connected railroad and highways networks that connects more than 70% of the country’s population.

A Strong Choice of Commercial Openness

More than 79 bilateral investment Agreements guaranteeing foreign investors the same protection as national ones. A convertibility regime for foreign direct investments in foreign currencies with free transfer of capital and tax advantages. The modern legal and regulatory framework implemented by Morocco, created a particularly attractive environment for investors: more than, 50 non-double taxation and investment protection Agreements, no restrictions on capital, free repatriation of profits and capital for non-residents.

A Stable Country Politically and Economically

Morocco is a stable country both politically and economically. Morocco has committed to diversify its economy focusing on Tourism and high-value industries such as Automotive, Textile, Agri-food, Pharmaceuticals, and Aeronautics. This said, the tertiary sector of Morocco has grown as the largest sector in the economy with Tourism encompassing one of the most significant service activities. Inbound tourism expenditure along contributed above 8% to Morocco’s gross domestic product (GDP) from 2010 to 2019. In addition, a highly qualified labor with specialized training and geographic proximity to Europe have also supported the growth of Morocco’s industry. The country has successfully positioned itself as a leading tourism destination in Africa.

Why Invest in Tourism in Morocco ?

Morocco has become an increasingly attractive destination for FDI in recent years, thanks to its many assets as well as significant efforts of the Moroccan Government to improve its business climate and create various incentives for attracting foreign investors. It has also earned a reputation as a strategic and competitive exporting hub in the region, offering low production costs, skilled workforce and global access to strategic markets.

Indeed, at the crossroads of major international exchange routes and situated 14 km from Europe, Morocco presents a strategic geographical location in addition to privileged access to an international market of over 2.5 billion consumers through several Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Morocco’s top-class trade and transport infrastructure, exemplified by the Tangiers Med Port with its 184 connections to 77 countries and 9 million container-capacity, makes it an ideal choice for businesses looking to expand globally.

Furthermore, concerning tourism, the country proves strong commitment to not only recover its tourism sector post-COVID-19 with its 2023-2026 roadmap but also transform the tourism sector and establish itself as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. Lastly, Morocco positions itself as a leader in the transition towards a green economy with an ambitious plan for renewable energy and making significant investments in the sector as laid out by The New Development Model 2021. By 2030, the country aims to reach a 52% energy mix through solar, wind, and hydro energies, with renewable energies already representing 40% of total installed power in 2023.