More New Developments in Store for Morocco
Morocco is a fascinating country and a top tourist destination. The diversity of terrain, ancient history, rich culture and warm, friendly people attract tourists from around the world. The ongoing increase in tourist activity has resulted in a number of new developments taking place in Morocco. The latest of these developments is the proposed new Ouarzazate Lake City and the new Radisson Resort at Saidia.
The Ouarzazate Lake City development will include a casino and hotel, as well as residential buildings, non-gaming hotels, entertainment, shops and a golf course complete with golf course villas. The Moroccan developers have approached Las Vegas-based Global Gaming Group along with CB Richard Ellis to assist in finding a casino operator for the new development.
It is estimated that, depending on the infrastructure of the Ouarzazate Lake City development, potential annual gaming revenue could be worth in the region of $100 million. It is envisioned that the new development could be similar to the Atlantis Paradise Island situated in the Bahamas, which consists of a 3,700 room hotel-casino with 1,000 slot machines and 100 gaming tables, built around a 100-acre waterscape.
Morocco currently attracts more than seven million visitors annually and is looking at avenues to expand tourism opportunities beyond the current market. Gaming is one of the many avenues being explored. Although Morocco is a Muslim country, the Ouarzazate Lake City project has the support of the government, including King Mohammed Ben Al-Hassan, because the casino will only be one aspect of a multi-faceted development.
The Radisson Resort and Spa at Saidia in Morocco is a development by the Rezidor Hotel Group which is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2010. The development – a Rezidor and Property Logic joint venture – will feature 384 rooms, as well as 97 villas, four restaurants, three bars, a Moroccan-themed Spa and Thalasso therapy center, five outdoor pools, one indoor pool, two fitness centers, tennis courts, shops, a kid’s club, an amphitheater and a beach club. The resort will also have meeting and conference facilities, making it the ideal venue for both business and leisure travelers.
