Morocco Revamps Hotel Industry Ahead of Major Soccer Tournaments

The hotel industry is suffering in Morocco. Responding to a question from the Istiqlal parliamentary group on "the closure of certain tourist hotels" in the House of Representatives, Fatima Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, Social and Solidarity Economy, said that contracts have been signed with renowned international investors to restructure and reopen closed hotels in Agadir and Ouarzazate, notably with TUI, Pickalbatros. "There are a number of closed hotels that we are working to reopen. We started with the cities of Agadir and Ouarzazate, due to the large number of closed hotels in these areas. We will extend these measures to other regions," she said.

According to her, her department is focusing on three areas: support, use of the resources of the Mohammed VI Fund for Investment and the upcoming announcement of specialized tourism funds, and a new investment charter. Regarding the first axis, the minister specified that the processes of transferring these hotels have started with the publication of calls for tenders or direct contacts with investors. In Agadir, 13 establishments have been in contact with investors, and in Ouarzazate, 10 establishments have done the same, she added. Addressing the third axis, Fatima Zahra Ammor said that the new investment charter will offer significant incentives to investors.

The minister also recalled the granting of a state subsidy to the hotel industry for a total amount of one billion dirhams, in order to support the investment effort (maintenance, renovation, training...) of hotels wishing to prepare for a rapid resumption of activity as soon as the borders reopen.