Accor Group Expands Leisure Tourism in Morocco as African Travel Rebounds

Mark Willis, the CEO of the Africa Middle East region of the "Accor" group, perceives signs of a resumption of activity favorable to the leisure segment as well as the business segment.

According to the spokesperson for the Africa Middle East region, as reported by Jeune Afrique, this time "Accor" is observing an interest in vacation destinations. This option stems from the fact that Morocco has become a preferred destination, especially for Western tourists, at a time when the summer holidays are approaching in Europe.

Alexis Janoray, vice president, head of development in Africa, formerly in charge of sub-Saharan Africa, is now under the supervision of Mark Willis, who has been overseeing operations since June 2018. The area including Morocco represented, in 2019, about 10% of the group’s global turnover, estimated at 4 billion euros, notes the magazine. The latter recalls that the "Accor" group is present in 20 African countries, with 120 establishments of all brands combined, more than half of which are in Morocco.

The hotel group was forced to eliminate nearly 800 jobs in the Africa and Middle East region due to the pandemic. Despite the elimination of positions, the details of which "Accor" does not wish to disclose in Africa, this hotel group has set up the "ALL Heartist" fund, endowed with 70 million euros, to support the group’s hotels most affected by the consequences of the health crisis.