Some of the biggest names in tourism, real estate and investment are set to meet in Rabat next week to discuss business opportunities linked to Morocco’s preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The GBB Investment Summit, organised by business networking firm GBB, will take place on 9 June at the Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr. The event is being held in partnership with the Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT).
The summit will bring together investors, hotel operators, developers, financial institutions and government officials at a time when Morocco is spending heavily on tourism and transport infrastructure ahead of the World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Among the confirmed speakers are SMIT Chief Executive Imad Barrakad, RISMA Chief Executive Sofia Lopez Benhamida, IFC regional leader Thomas Pellerin, AMIC President Hassan Laaziri and DLA Piper Morocco Managing Partner Christophe Bachelet.
Unlike many industry conferences, the event will focus on private meetings between investors and project owners. Organisers say the aim is to connect international capital with tourism, hospitality and real estate projects across Morocco.
“What we are seeing in Morocco right now is not a forecast. It is happening,” said Ravi Kumar Chandran, Founder and Chief Executive of GBB.
“Capital is moving, decisions are being made, and those who enter these conversations early are the ones shaping outcomes rather than reacting to them.”
Morocco is hoping to attract 26 million tourists a year by 2030. Last year, the country welcomed a record 19.8 million visitors, while tourism revenues reached MAD124bn.
To prepare for future demand, Morocco is rolling out a $4bn programme to expand hotel capacity. A separate MAD4bn government-backed fund has also been launched to renovate 25,000 existing hotel rooms.
The country is also investing in major transport projects. Royal Air Maroc plans to expand its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, while authorities are moving ahead with plans to extend the Al Boraq high-speed rail line south to Marrakech and Agadir.
The summit will examine how international investors can take part in these projects and what opportunities may emerge from the country’s rapid tourism growth.
Discussions are expected to cover hotel development, real estate investment, financing, legal protections for foreign investors and opportunities linked to World Cup-related infrastructure.
The event comes as Morocco continues to attract growing foreign investment. According to figures cited by organisers, net foreign direct investment inflows exceeded $3bn, while annual FDI growth reached 74.3%.
The summit is designed to help investors, developers and policymakers discuss projects and partnerships before many of the country’s largest tourism and infrastructure developments move into their next phase.
