Morocco's Tourism Policy for the FIFA World Cup 2030: A Benchmarking and Econometric Study

Abstract

This study examines Morocco’s tourism policy in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2030, evaluating its alignment with sustainable and competitive benchmarks. Using a mixed-method approach—benchmarking against Spain and Portugal and econometric modeling via the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM)—we analyze Morocco’s tourist arrivals (2007–2023) and key tourism indicators from the TTCI and TTDI databases. Findings indicate that while the 2023-2026 roadmap prioritizes air transport, human capital, and cultural resources, it falls short in ICT infrastructure, health and hygiene, and regulatory alignment. Future policies should integrate digitalization, health security, and structured tourism governance to ensure long-term competitiveness.