How to Attract More Tourists to Your Restaurant in Marrakech: Proven Strategies

Why Tourists Are Your Most Valuable Restaurant Customers

International tourists visiting Marrakech typically spend significantly more per meal than local diners. They are exploring new flavors, they often come in groups, they order multiple courses, and they are looking for authentic experiences they can share on social media. Yet many excellent restaurants in Marrakech miss out on tourist business because they have not optimized for the way tourists find and choose restaurants.

Strategy 1: Be Discoverable on Google Maps

The first place international tourists look for restaurants is Google Maps. Before they even arrive in Marrakech, they are searching for the best restaurants in the medina, best tagine in Marrakech, or authentic Moroccan restaurant. Your Google Business Profile needs to be complete, accurate, and filled with compelling photos.

Make sure your profile includes your exact address, opening hours, phone number, website, menu link, and at least 20 high-quality photos of your food, interior, and exterior. Respond to every review, positive and negative, in a professional and welcoming tone.

Strategy 2: Offer a Multilingual Digital Menu

Nothing frustrates international tourists more than receiving a menu they cannot read. A French or Arabic paper menu is a significant barrier for English-speaking tourists from the UK, USA, or other English-speaking countries. With JBUJB, you can offer your menu in Arabic, French, and English simultaneously via a QR code on every table.

When tourists can read and understand your full menu in their language, they order more confidently, explore more of your menu, and spend more per visit.

Strategy 3: Build a Strong TripAdvisor and Google Review Profile

Tourists trust reviews from other travelers more than any other source. A restaurant with 200 reviews averaging 4.5 stars will consistently beat a restaurant with 20 reviews averaging 5 stars in terms of tourist footfall. The goal is to generate a high volume of authentic positive reviews.

Train your staff to politely ask satisfied customers to leave a review before they leave. A simple card with your Google or TripAdvisor QR code makes this easy. Some restaurants in Marrakech have grown from 50 to 500 reviews in 12 months simply by consistently asking happy customers.

Strategy 4: Partner with Local Riad and Hotel Concierges

Hotel and riad concierges in Marrakech have enormous influence over where tourists eat. Building relationships with concierges at nearby riads and boutique hotels can deliver a consistent stream of tourist referrals. Visit them personally, bring a menu, offer a small hospitality discount for referred guests, and check in regularly.

Strategy 5: Create Instagram-Worthy Moments

International tourists are prolific social media users, and a single viral Instagram post can bring hundreds of new customers to your restaurant. Design one or two dishes specifically for visual impact. Create an attractive corner of your restaurant with good natural light and Moroccan design elements that make a perfect photo backdrop. Encourage customers to tag your restaurant on social media.

Strategy 6: List on International Food Platforms

Make sure your restaurant is listed on international platforms like TheFork, Tripadvisor, and Booking.com’s restaurant section. Many tourists book restaurants in advance through these platforms, especially for dinner during peak tourist season. A complete and attractive profile on these platforms can significantly increase your bookings from international visitors.

Bringing It All Together

Attracting tourists to your restaurant in Marrakech requires a combination of digital visibility, language accessibility, social proof, and memorable experiences. Start with the basics: claim your Google Business Profile, create a multilingual digital menu with JBUJB, and actively build your review profile. These three actions alone can significantly increase your tourist traffic within 60 to 90 days.