Morocco to expand hotel capacity ahead of 2030 FIFA World Cup

Morocco is expanding its hotel capacity ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with plans to add 60,000 hotel beds for the tournament it will co-host with Spain and Portugal, reported Xinhua. According to Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Morocco has added around 45,000 hotel beds over the past four years as international visitor numbers and air connectivity have continued to grow. The country welcomed a record 19.8 million tourists in 2025, up 14 percent year on year, and aims to attract 26 million visitors annually by 2030. Tourism contributes about 7 percent of Morocco's gross domestic product and is a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings. Ammor said Morocco views the 2030 FIFA World Cup as a catalyst for long-term tourism development rather than a standalone sporting event. Ahead of the tournament, Morocco is investing more than 190 billion Moroccan dirhams (about 20 billion U.S. dollars) in railways, highways, airports, stadiums and other infrastructure projects. The government also plans to expand tourism beyond traditional destinations such as Marrakech and Agadir and attract more visitors from China, the United States and the Middle East through improved air connectivity.