Marrakech, January 28, 2025
An event designed to position Morocco as a hub for innovation in tourism and boost tourism investment.
Morocco affirms its commitment to innovative and sustainable tourism by organizing the International Conference on Technological Innovation and Tourism Investment, the fruit of collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, UN Tourism and the Société Marocaine de l'Ingénierie Touristique (SMIT).
Conference highlights crucial role of digital technologies and innovation in creating new investment opportunities.
EXCEPTIONAL PARTICIPANTS
The event was attended by leading investment and tourism experts, including Zurab PololikashviliGeneral SecretaryUN Tourism, Fatim-Zahra AmmorMinister of Tourism, Crafts and the Social Solidarity Economy, Karim Zidane, Minister Delegate for Investment, Convergence and the Evaluation of Public Policies, Khalid Safir, General Manager of CDG, Hicham Zanati SerginniGeneral Manager of Tamwilcom, as well asImad BarrakadGeneral Manager of SMIT.
The event also brought together high-ranking personalities, including decision-makers and investors, as well as representatives from startups, incubators and institutional partners. This diversity created a privileged space for exchange and collaboration, conducive to the emergence of innovative solutions for the development of the tourism sector.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- The official launch of the Tourist Investment Guidedeveloped byUN Tourism in partnership with SMIT and the Department of Tourismis a major step forward in attracting foreign investors to Morocco. This strategic guide offers a structured framework designed to provide investors with essential information and simplify their procedures. It also offers precise guidelines for the realization of ambitious tourism projects, reinforcing Morocco's position as a preferred destination for investment in the tourism sector.
- The awards ceremonyIn the first edition of its Innovation Awards, the Sodexho Group honored the winning startups in its dedicated innovation competition. These young companies presented the most innovative projects in the following categories: (i) innovation in blue economies, (ii) innovation in natural heritage, (iii) innovation in cultural heritage and (iv) innovation in urban tourism. An opportunity for young start-ups to showcase their innovative ideas for the sustainable development of Moroccan tourism.
- The signing of several strategic agreements with leading partners, aims to forge ambitious collaborations to boost innovative investment in the tourism sector. These agreements seek to consolidate the synergy between innovation and investment, while reaffirming our collective commitment to sustainable tourism.
- Several panels of experts explored the challenges of technological innovation, highlighting the central role of SMEs and start-ups in the technological transformation of the tourism sector. The panels addressed a variety of themes, with a particular focus on: the future of digital in the tourism sector, investing in start-ups to promote smart, innovative tourism activities, and the initiatives needed to boost the SME and start-up ecosystem.
- Today many fruitful contacts were made between decision-makers, investors and other key players in the sector. The exchanges, rich in ideas and opportunities, enabled new avenues of collaboration and innovative initiatives to be explored. These interactions, marked by strong commitment on the part of the participants, led to concrete and promising conclusions, strengthening the prospects for development and investment in the tourism sector.
- Several innovative companies had the opportunity to showcase their products and innovative solutions. This veritable showcase of innovation revealed technological advances, encouraged exchanges between the various players in the sector, and attracted investment that could help boost tourism in Morocco.
INNOVATION AT THE HEART OF MOROCCO'S TOURISM ECOSYSTEM
Several concrete measures have been launched to attract individual and private initiatives:
SMIT and the Department of Tourism have set up a structural framework to provide financial and technical support for startups, notably through an incubation program focusing on three key areas: business development, marketing and marketing. digitalizing tourism services and activitiesthe leisure gaming and the promoting Moroccan gastronomy.
This program aims to strengthen technological innovation and accelerate the digital transformation of the tourism sector. In particular, it includes the use of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented virtual reality (ARV), to rethink the tourism product and enrich the visitor experience.
At the same time, the Moukaoualati Siyahiadeveloped in collaboration with the regions, encourages local entrepreneurship and supports innovative start-ups in strategic sectors such as entertainment and tourism. These initiatives aim to boost Morocco's attractiveness as a preferred destination for international investors.
Finally, a number of initiatives have been launched to facilitate the interface with idea holders, including the "Tourism Project Bankdigital solutions such as push systemthe cat bot and the e-products based on on SMIT's digital platform, helping to boost tourism investment.
TOWARDS A PROMISING FUTURE FOR MOROCCAN TOURISM
With a record of over 17.4 million visitors by 2024Morocco confirms its status as a destination of choice on the international scene. The conference launched the beginnings of a new dynamic, capable of meeting the sector's challenges while enhancing the tourism experience and stimulating visitor feedback.
This event is part of a broader strategy to position Morocco as one of the world's most innovative and attractive tourist destinations, and to prepare for major international events such as the 2030 Football World Cup.
These efforts stem from the High Level Guidelines of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist himaimed at stimulate individual and private initiatives in favor of productive sectors.
