The sector of tourism in Morocco has experienced a spectacular recovery, with over 17 million tourists welcomed in 2025. For riads and hotels in Morocco, a solid digital marketing strategy is now essential to maximize bookings and reduce dependence on OTAs.
The challenge of OTA dependency
The majority of Moroccan riads and hotels still depend on over 70% on online booking platforms (Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb) to fill their rooms. The OTA commissions vary between 15% and 25% of the amount of each booking.
Strategy #1: An optimized website with direct booking
The first step of a successful hotel digital strategy is the creation of a professional website with integrated booking engine. Your website is the only channel where you pay no commission on bookings.
Stratégie n°2 : Le Local SEO pour les hôtels et riads
Le local SEO is particularly powerful for the hospitality sector. When a traveler searches for «riad Marrakech with pool» or «boutique hotel Essaouira» on Google, appearing in the top results can generate dozens of direct bookings every month.
Strategy #3: Instagram and social networks for hospitality
Instagram is the #1 social network for the tourism and hospitality sector. For a riad or hotel in Morocco, a strong Instagram presence can directly translate into bookings. Top performing content: immersive photos, «Room Tour» Reels, client video testimonials.
Strategy #4: Google Ads for direct bookings
Les Google Ads campaigns targeting hotel searches in Morocco offer an excellent return on investment.
Strategy #5: Email marketing to retain customers
L'email marketing is the most profitable channel to retain your existing clientele and stimulate repeat bookings. Collect the email addresses of all your clients and set up automated campaigns.
Conclusion
Le digital marketing for riads and hotels in Morocco reduces your dependence on OTAs, increases your margins, and builds a direct relationship with your clients. At Mahdi Créations, we have supported numerous hotel establishments in their digital transformation. Contact us for a custom strategy.