L’organizing the World Cup is not limited to the sporting competition itself; it represents an essential lever for energizing local communities and accelerating transformations on a national scale. Preparing for this event will involve carrying out numerous infrastructure projects. These structural projects, which will be implemented by 2030, will have a considerable impact on the development of the country. Among the most important, we note the construction of the high-speed train (LGV) linking Kenitra, Marrakech and Agadir, as well as the modernization of Morocco’s airports and ports, sports infrastructure and road networks. These projects will create wealth and numerous jobs, particularly for young Moroccans, in diversified sectors such as construction, transport, hotels and public services.
“This ambitious vision aims to double the country’s GDP from $130 billion in 2021 to $260 billion in 2035. Thus, hosting a global event such as the World Cup, followed by more than 10 billion people at on an international scale, is fully part of this growth dynamics. The positive impact of this event will be felt before, during and after the event, both economically and socially. In 2030, the combination of the sporting event and economic reforms will allow Morocco to experience exceptional growth, estimated at 7-8%,” explains Mohamed Jadri, economist. And continues: “The scale of these projects, combined with the increased demand for qualified labor, will generate rapid employment growth in the years to come.
Many young people will thus have the opportunity to participate in large-scale projects, contributing to the economic growth of the country. In addition, during the World Cup, thousands of temporary jobs will be created, particularly in the events, tourism, media and advertising sectors. Local and international businesses, communications agencies and hotels will benefit from exceptional demand, which will contribute to wealth creation.
Long-term economic dynamics
In addition, Jadri believes that the media focus generated by this event will be a unique opportunity to promote the country as a tourist destination, and to publicize its cultural wealth and modern infrastructure. “As has been the case for other host countries such as Russia or Qatar, the 2030 World Cup will generate international interest for Morocco, well beyond the sporting event itself. After the competition, many tourists will be attracted to Morocco, thus increasing the tourist influx and contributing to the country’s goal of reaching 26 million tourists in 2030, with a forecast of 30 million by 2035,” said the economist.
It is clear that the impact of the 2030 World Cup will therefore not be limited to the year of the event, but would promote long-term economic dynamics, supported by infrastructure, the promotion of tourism and the growth of new sectors. ‘activities. Regarding the main challenges of hosting the World Cup, Jadri considers it imperative that the Kingdom modernizes its transport network, especially with regard to taxis and transport applications.
-“Currently, Moroccan taxis, in their traditional form, do not meet the expectations of international tourists, especially those coming from Europe and Asia, who are accustomed to modern services like Uber, Careem or InDrive. It is therefore essential to regularize and regulate the use of transport applications in Morocco, in order to ensure a consistent experience for visitors, regardless of the country where they are. It would be inconsistent for a viewer to be able to use these applications in countries like Spain or Portugal, but finds their use illegal in Morocco. This kind of inconsistency could harm the image of the country and the fluidity of tourist transport.”
Sustainable operation of infrastructure
Another fundamental aspect to rethink, according to this expert, remains the operation of sports infrastructures. In fact, massive investments are underway to build and renovate stadiums across the country, such as the Hassan II stadium in Benslimane, which will require more than 5 billion dirhams of investments. However, “it is incomprehensible that these infrastructures, once the event has passed, often remain unused for long periods, hosting only a few matches per month, such as those of WAC or Raja. This operating model, based essentially on one-off events, is far from optimal and does not make these investments profitable. colossal,” says Jadri.
According to him, it is therefore time to consider sustainable and diversified exploitation of these infrastructures. “Rather than leaving them closed for a large part of the year, it would be appropriate to transform them into open and lively spaces throughout the week. These stadiums could include shops (malls), restaurants, cafes, play areas, libraries and conference rooms, while hosting cultural and artistic events (concerts, exhibitions, etc.). This model would not only maximize the economic benefits of sports infrastructures, but also provide meeting and cultural places for the local population, while attracting tourism throughout the year,” he explains. .
In short, the 2030 World Cup will be a turning point for the Moroccan economy. It will serve as a driving force to modernize the country’s infrastructure, create sustainable jobs, stimulate growth and offer Morocco enhanced international visibility, positioning the country among the most attractive destinations on a global scale.
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