Marrakech’s Iconic Mamounia Palace Plans October Reopening as Tourism Sector Awaits Recovery

Among tourism operators, it’s all hands on deck. Renovation work on the Mamounia palace is almost complete, and the establishment is planning to reopen on October 16th, if the conditions for a resumption are met.

Forced into unemployment since last March, palaces and high-end units are counting on doing good business thanks to the reopening of borders. "Like other competing countries, Morocco must adapt to the pandemic with precautionary measures, while resuming tourism activity," says Lahcen Zelmat, president of the National Federation of the Hotel Industry, reports the newspaper l’Economiste.

And everywhere, they are bustling. "But without the lifting of the state of emergency and real air programming, it is very difficult to think of a recovery," conditions a establishment manager, adding: "We hope of course to save the winter season and not miss the end-of-year holidays, as Marrakech realizes a good part of its overnight stays during this period."

The luxury segment depends on international arrivals, targeting in particular an English, American, Russian clientele... to the point of making it its preserve. Unlike clubs and other accommodation categories that have tried to reopen during the summer period, palaces and luxury guest houses have closed their doors. These units represent several thousand beds in the ochre city and the Haouz.

Thus, in parallel with the very beautiful luxury riads that have sprung up in the medina, high-end hotel units such as Namaskar, Salman, Royal Mansour stand out. International brands are not lacking. This is the case of the French group Barrière, riveted on Marrakech, or the Indian chain Oberoi.

Some establishments have become vacation spots favored by the world’s great fortunes, like the Mamounia palace which continues to hold the top spot. Undergoing renovation for a few months, the famous establishment, with its 95 years of history, is "almost ready" and hopes to reopen its doors from October 16th.