Agadir’s Tourism Industry Struggles as Hotels Close and Sell Amid Pandemic Challenges

In several tourist cities of the kingdom like Agadir, the clientele is becoming scarcer every day. Even if some hotels have finally reopened their doors, others have completely ceased their activities due to lack of visibility. The Club Med, established in Morocco since 1963, after having postponed its reopening twice, has just announced the definitive closure of its doors. And for good reason! The closure of Morocco’s borders with European countries, major source markets, while the lease contract will reach its term in the first quarter of 2022, reports Challenge. The decision was validated by the Moroccan owners including Madaëf, the tourism branch of the CDG group, which is also the owner of two other Club Med resorts in Morocco, namely Marrakech La Palmeraie and Yasmina Cabo Negro in Martil.

However, the closure of the Agadir village-hotel does not modify the Club Med’s visions, which plans to explore other destinations in the kingdom. Last October, the group officially announced the implementation of a new premium resort in Essaouira, which will be operational from 2024 with an investment of nearly 90 million euros and will have 305 rooms with a Club Med Exclusive Collection area. In addition, the La Palmeraie Club Med also plans to improve its historic installation in Marrakech, not to mention that its lease has been extended until 2031.

While the Club Med in Agadir is ending its adventure, other hotels have been put up for sale. For example, the 4-star hotel Le Tivoli d’Agadir of the CIH bank located in the capital of Souss, as well as its commercial gallery of 50 shops. Just like CIH Bank, Iberostar is ready to sell its hotel in Agadir. Same thing in Saidia. In addition, while the Sbaï family and Somed are looking to sell the Club Almoggar hotel and the Kasbah hotel, the tourism operator Risma has terminated its lease contract for the "Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay" hotel.