After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in sports, Karim Benzamid chose to continue his studies to become a sports professor, but then decided to switch gears and go into property rental for tourists, starting in France and then expanding to Morocco.
Karim was born on October 11, 1989 in Wissembourg, France, to Moroccan immigrant parents. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sports in 2013 and immediately began working as a sports teacher and gym manager. However, life often brings new opportunities, and Karim began considering a career change. He began attending a short training course on property rental.
By 2016, after gaining the necessary knowledge, he opened an agency in Strasbourg that focuses on Airbnb and Booking.com. “We sign contracts with property owners, offer them the management of their properties (apartments, villas), renovate them to make them more attractive, and advertise them on the two platforms,” Karim told Yabradi. “We study the market to set the right price, provide airport transfers, welcome our clients, and also offer additional services such as dining and reservations at different attractions.”
Following the success of his project in France, Karim decided to expand his business to Morocco, specifically Marrakech, the Kingdom’s main tourist destination, to capitalize on the growing tourist demand. At the end of 2022, he opened an agency in Marrakech, assembling his team and ensuring they receive the necessary training. Karim stressed that continuous training is essential to succeed in this field. “Every year, we encourage them to participate in training sessions to increase their professionalism in their work,” he said.
Short-term rentals
Karim explained that managing short-term rentals is a complex task that requires attention to many details, and communication is of the utmost importance. By providing complete and accurate information and responding promptly to issues, you can turn a potentially negative situation into an opportunity to demonstrate professionalism and attention to detail.
In the world of seasonal property rentals, reputation is key to attracting new customers and retaining tenants. Customer reviews play a vital role in influencing booking decisions. Responding to reviews, whether positive or negative, demonstrates consideration for your customers’ needs and concerns, fosters trust, and demonstrates your commitment to quality service.
“We are focused on families visiting Marrakech. Like any new business, our journey has not been easy. Now I have decided to focus on the business and relocate to Marrakech at the end of this year to take advantage of Morocco’s growing tourism industry,” Karim said.
“I love Morocco and we all know the current situation in France. I feel good in Marrakech, so I am settling here while continuing to oversee my agency in Strasbourg, which is running smoothly,” he continued.
Karim said his agency’s services in Morocco include introducing clients to the country’s rich culture and traditions, which adds value to his work. “We work with cooperatives to help sell their products. We aim to combine the short-term rental business with a cultural experience,” he explained.
After settling in Marrakech, Karim revealed plans to expand in Morocco, looking to set up new agencies in Casablanca and Agadir to tap into their tourism potential. He and his team are also preparing for major events Morocco will host, notably the Africa Cup Final at the end of 2025 and the World Cup Final in 2030. “We are planning an attractive service for our clients that will take them to Morocco’s tourist attractions whilst watching the matches,” he said.
“We will develop an itinerary that will allow our guests to watch matches in different cities and learn about the local culture, while also opening the door to young Moroccan talents who wish to participate,” Karim concluded.
