Aleph Hospitality Establishes Regional Office in Casablanca
Marrakech – Aleph Hospitality, recognized as the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, has officially inaugurated a regional office in Casablanca, marking a significant milestone in its strategic expansion. On March 31, the company announced the appointment of Abdellah Essonni as the Regional Vice President for North Africa, a move that aims to bolster its operational capabilities in this vibrant market. The Casablanca office is set to act as Aleph Hospitality’s primary operational hub for North Africa, complementing the company’s ambitious plans to establish four new regional offices by the end of 2026, including locations in Abidjan, Cape Town, and Nairobi. Furthermore, Aleph Hospitality has expressed its intention to enhance the Moroccan team with additional resources throughout the year.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
Abdellah Essonni: A Veteran in Hospitality Management
Abdellah Essonni brings over 35 years of extensive experience in hospitality management, development, and asset management across four continents, making him well-equipped to lead Aleph Hospitality's efforts in Morocco. His most recent role was as a Strategic Advisor at HSP, a consultancy firm based in London. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Executive Officer for hospitality asset management at the Saudi Hospitality Company, which is a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, from 2022 to 2024. Essonni's impressive career also includes a significant tenure as Chief Hospitality Officer at Maad International in Jeddah, where he managed the development of 4,400 rooms under IHG’s voco brand in Makkah. His executive experience spans notable positions with prestigious organizations such as Hyatt, Jumeirah, and Disney in cities like New York, Rabat, and Riyadh. With a CPD certification in general management from Cornell University, Essonni stated, “It’s an exciting time to take on this opportunity,” highlighting the rapid growth of Aleph Hospitality’s portfolio and the significance of the new Casablanca office in reinforcing the company’s regional presence.
Aleph Hospitality's expansion into Morocco aligns with the country's robust hospitality sector, which is currently experiencing dynamic growth. In 2025, Morocco welcomed a record 19.8 million tourists, significantly surpassing the government’s target. The tourism revenue reached MAD 138 billion ($13.8 billion), marking a 21% increase year-on-year. With the Moroccan government investing $600 million in a tourism roadmap to modernize existing hotel infrastructure and a $4 billion initiative to increase hotel capacity in anticipation of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the market is ripe for Aleph Hospitality’s innovative management approach. This includes working closely with hotel owners to provide tailored management solutions that enhance operational visibility and flexibility, thereby capitalizing on the growing demand for hospitality services in the region. As the company continues to grow, it aims to manage 100 hotels by 2029, leveraging its successful third-party management model that separates ownership from daily operations, thereby offering greater control and adaptability for property owners.
