Morocco expects tourism windfall from 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco is poised to reap substantial economic and tourism benefits from hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), with projections indicating up to 1 million additional tourist arrivals and 12 billion dirhams ($1.32 bln) in supplementary revenue.

Scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, the tournament is expected to attract a diverse influx of visitors, including African football fans, members of the diaspora residing in Europe, and domestic tourists traveling within the country to attend matches, Medias24 said in a recent report.

According to industry estimates, each visitor could spend an average of 12,000 dirhams, contributing to a significant boost in Morocco’s tourism sector during the winter season. The event is also anticipated to stimulate demand across hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.

Royal Air Maroc (RAM), the national carrier, is preparing to accommodate the surge in travel, projecting 500,000 passengers and 1.5 billion dirhams in additional revenue. The airline plans to increase flights to key African capitals such as Dakar, Abidjan, Cairo, Tunis, Bamako, Lagos, and Douala, as well as to European cities with large African communities, including Paris, Brussels, Milan, and London.

Government officials and tourism stakeholders view the CAN as a strategic opportunity to reinforce Morocco’s position as a premier destination on the continent.

The tournament also serves as a critical rehearsal for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal.