Tourism, one of Morocco's main sources of revenue, is likely to increase as the government looks to boost visitor numbers to 10 million by 2010, up from 6.5 million last year.
With easy access for millions of Middle East visitors who enjoy the beaches and local markets for which Morocco is famous, the country’s expected tourist arrivals are putting pressure on the hotel industry to build more and better accommodation.
Among those heading to the North African country is the Mauritius-based Beachcomber Hotels, one of the leading hotel groups in the Indian Ocean, has announced plans to extend its portfolio into North Africa with the opening of a new ?40 million ($56.5 million) luxury resort in Marrakech, Morocco.
Work will begin later this year on the Royal Palm Marrakech, a luxury 150-suite-and-villa hotel with an international 18-hole golf course designed by Cabell Robinson, and a separate development of 290 residential villas and a Country Club.
Located midway between the centre of Marrakech and the airport with stunning views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, Royal Palm Marrakech has been designed by Mauritian architect, Jean-Francoise Adam in collaboration with Maurice Giraud, who created the original design concept for Beachcomber’s flagship property in Mauritius, the exclusive Royal Palm in Grand Baie.
According to Robert de Spéville, Beachcomber Hotels’ commercial manager: “This is Beachcomber’s first new development outside the Indian Ocean, and we are delighted to be working closely with the Moroccan government and the Domaine I’aim Marrakech consortium on this project, which is part of Morocco’s Vision 2010 programme to promote the growth of tourism.”
Meanwhile, after a recent refurbishment, Hyatt Regency Casablanca is rapidly becoming one of the leading hotels in the country, being ideally situated in the centre of the legendary city of Casablanca, the business and financial hub of Morocco.
With the lobby and façade recently renovated, Hyatt Regency Casablanca continues to offer elegance in design in addition to providing deluxe comfort to its clients. As part of the hotel’s overall renovation, all the rooms have been modified with top of the line bedding and plasma TV screens together with new carpets throughout the hotel. The hotel’s recent renovation underlines Hyatt’s importance in offering guests the highest quality level in hospitality throughout the region.
Hyatt Regency Casablanca offers a tantalizing choice of cuisine and entertainment in the hotel’s five restaurants and bars; the ideal set of venues for fine dining or dancing the night away.
Hyatt Regency Casablanca also offers Middle East guests many local points of interest that are in close proximity to the hotel such as the Great Mosque Hassan II, one of the most spectacular in the world, and the downtown area of Casablanca that offers guests a mixture of different architectural styles from the 30’s and 40’s, lending Casablanca a unique cachet.
“Morocco has always been a natural attraction for travellers from around the world looking for an exotic and culturally-rich experience, but now visitors to one of Africa’s most famous cities are in demand of luxury accommodation and fine dining options,” said Thierry Bertin, area director of Marketing, Middle East, Hyatt International Hotels and Resorts.