Accor and Risma are stepping up their partnership with new hotel plans, property upgrades, and a training academy, aiming to strengthen Morocco's tourism sector and prepare its workforce for growing international interest.
Accor and Risma are taking a more focused approach to their long-running partnership in Morocco, shifting their attention to hotel development and workforce training. After more than thirty years of working together, the two companies are now aiming to position Morocco's hospitality sector for increased international demand. The Moroccan government has named tourism as a key part of its economic strategy, with recent policies encouraging public-private partnerships in the industry, according to the Moroccan news agency MAP.
The main project in this new phase is a planned Sofitel Tangier, which would be built on the city's corniche. The goal is to boost Tangier's profile as a destination and add more high-end hotel options in a market that is becoming more competitive. As of June 2024, there is no independent confirmation that the Sofitel Tangier project has been officially launched, financed, or approved by regulators. However, Accor is actively recruiting in Tangier, with seven open positions listed, showing ongoing interest in the city Accor Careers.
Renovation and skills at the core
Accor and Risma are also focusing on their existing hotels. Several properties are set for renovation and repositioning, with the aim of meeting current market standards. The companies are looking for real improvements in guest experience and operational efficiency, not just cosmetic changes. Accor currently has 94 open positions across cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakesh, Agadir, M'diq, and Taghazout, reflecting a broad presence and ongoing investment in staff Accor Careers.
Another key part of the plan is a joint tourism and hospitality training academy. The goal is to address the ongoing shortage of qualified staff in the sector by supporting both current professionals and newcomers. The academy is meant to raise standards for service and management across Morocco's hotels. So far, there have been no official announcements from Accor, Risma, or Moroccan authorities confirming the launch of the academy, as noted by recent industry monitoring and Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) coverage of workforce initiatives in the region.
Strategic alignment and sector stakes
This renewed effort follows changes to the Accor-Risma partnership in 2023, with both companies now emphasizing a shared strategy for growth. The focus on staff training and operational standards is a direct response to Morocco's push to strengthen its position as a travel destination, especially as the country prepares for more international attention. The Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy has repeatedly stressed the need to upskill the workforce to meet national tourism goals, according to official statements.
While Accor and Risma have not shared specific numbers or timelines, their plans for hotel expansion, renovations, and skills training are meant to reinforce Morocco's tourism infrastructure. This approach is similar to other recent public-private partnerships in the region, such as those reported earlier between Morocco and international partners in different sectors. Regional observers, including the African Union's Economic, Social and Cultural Council, have noted that these partnerships are becoming central to North Africa's economic modernization.
Accor and Risma's plan is straightforward: invest in both hotels and people to keep Morocco's hospitality sector competitive and resilient. By focusing on workforce development alongside property upgrades, the partnership is setting a standard that others in the region may need to follow. The underlying idea is that Morocco's tourism sector can only grow if both infrastructure and skilled staff improve together.
