The verdict in three sentences
For a hotel group in Marrakech, a premium multilingual showcase site costs between 180,000 and 450,000 MAD in 2026, delivered in 8 to 12 weeks. The financial stake is not the site itself but direct bookings: every directly booked night saves the OTA commission of 15 to 20 % taken by Booking or Expedia. A connected booking engine, 3D tours and FR/EN/AR trilingualism turn the site into a revenue channel.
2026 pricing by item
A premium hotel site is judged on visual experience and booking fluidity. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude.
| Item / deliverable | 2026 cost (MAD) | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Premium design + mockups | 40,000 - 90,000 | brand image |
| Property + room pages | 35,000 - 80,000 | building desire |
| Connected booking engine (channel manager) | 45,000 - 120,000 | direct booking |
| 3D / virtual tours | 25,000 - 70,000 | premium conversion |
| FR/EN/AR trilingualism | 20,000 - 55,000 | international clientele |
| SEO + hosting + security (year 1) | 15,000 - 45,000 | visibility |
| Project total | 180,000 - 450,000 | 8-12 weeks |
The booking engine connected to the channel manager is the key item: it syncs availability and enables direct payment.
ROI: OTA commission saved
Direct booking is the real return on investment. Here is the impact of even a partial shift from OTA sales to direct.
| Scenario (per year) | OTA only | With direct booking |
|---|---|---|
| Room-nights revenue | 12,000,000 MAD | 12,000,000 MAD |
| Share booked directly | 5 % | 25 % |
| OTA commission (~17 %) | paid on 95 % | paid on 75 % |
| Commission saved / year | baseline | ~400,000 MAD |
| Site cost (amortizable) | — | 180,000 - 450,000 MAD |
Moving direct booking from 5 % to 25 % alone saves the equivalent of the site cost in under a year.
Mini case study
Yasmine, sales director of a 2-hotel group in Marrakech, invests 320,000 MAD in an FR/EN/AR trilingual site with a booking engine and 3D tours. Over 12 months, the direct-booking share rises from 6 % to 24 % of revenue. On room-nights revenue of 12,000,000 MAD and an average OTA commission of 17 %, this shift saves about 370,000 MAD in commissions over the year. The site is amortized within the first year, and the direct customer relationship (data, loyalty) becomes a lasting asset.
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FAQ
Why is direct booking so strategic?
Every OTA booking costs 15 to 20 % commission. By capturing a share of these bookings directly, the hotel keeps the margin, the customer data and the loyalty relationship.
Is the booking engine included in the site?
The integration development is; the booking tool/channel manager itself is often a separate monthly subscription. We connect the engine to sync availability and rates in real time.
Are 3D tours worth the cost?
For premium positioning, yes: they increase dwell time and conversion, especially for international guests who book without visiting. Budget 25,000 to 70,000 MAD.
Do we really need three languages?
In Marrakech, FR/EN covers most international guests, with Arabic completing the regional market. Trilingualism broadens the audience and strengthens the premium image.
How long until the site is delivered?
Between 8 and 12 weeks depending on the number of properties, photo/3D production and booking-engine integration.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of properties, your current channel manager and target languages — we will define the booking engine and 3D tours. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
