Tourists flow to Morocco expected to exceed 2.7 million by end of 1999

The tourist flow to Morocco is expected to increase by 18% by the end of 1999 in comparison to 1998, to reach 2.7 million tourists, said Moroccan Tourism Minister Hassan Sebbar.

The minister made the statement during a ceremony in which two Moroccan banks, "BNDE" and "BCP," granted to the Malabata International Corporation a $20 million loan for the construction in the northern Moroccan town of Tangiers of a luxury tourist compound and a casino.

The compound, to be completed in one year, will comprise 219 rooms, 21 suites. It will create 500 permanent jobs for a total investment of $50 million.

The hotel will be managed by Swiss company Movenpick which is currently managing 9,000 hotel rooms around the globe, while the casino will be managed by a specialized international group.