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Karim Benzermid chose to continue his studies after obtaining his baccalaureate degree in sports, aiming to become a professor in the field. However, he later decided to pivot towards real estate rental for tourists, starting in France and then expanding to Morocco.
Karim was born on October 11, 1989, in the French city of Wissembourg to Moroccan immigrant parents. In 2013, he earned a bachelor's degree in sports and immediately began working as a sports teacher and sports hall administrator. However, as life often presents new opportunities, Karim started considering a career change. He began participating in short-term training courses on real estate rental.
By 2016, after acquiring the necessary knowledge, he opened an agency in Strasbourg, focusing on Airbnb and Booking.com. «We sign contracts with property owners, propose managing their properties (apartments, villas), redecorate them to enhance appeal, and then advertise on the two platforms», Karim told Yabladi. «We study the market to set the right price, provide transportation to and from the airport, welcome customers, and offer additional services such as dining and reservations at various attractions».
Following the success of his project in France, Karim decided to expand his business to Morocco, specifically to Marrakech, the leading tourist destination in the Kingdom, capitalizing on the growing demand from tourists. At the end of 2022, he opened an agency in Marrakech, assembling a team and ensuring they received the necessary training. Karim emphasized that continuous training is crucial for success in this field. «Every year, I encourage participation in training sessions to enhance professionalism at work», he stated.
Short-term rental
Karim explained that managing short-term rentals is a complex task requiring attention to numerous details, with communication being paramount. Providing complete and accurate information and responding swiftly to issues can turn potentially negative situations into opportunities 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 critical role in influencing booking decisions. Responding to reviews, whether positive or negative, shows attentiveness to customer needs and concerns, fostering trust and demonstrating a commitment to quality service.
«We focus on families visiting Marrakech. Like every new venture, our path was not easy. Now, I’ve decided to move to Marrakech at the end of this year to focus on the business and capitalize on Morocco's growing tourism industry», Karim said.
«I love Morocco, and everyone is aware of the current situation in France. In Marrakech, I feel better, so I will settle here while continuing to oversee the Strasbourg agency, which is doing well», he continued.
Karim noted that his agency's services in Morocco include introducing customers to the country's rich culture and traditions, adding value to his work. «We collaborate with cooperatives to help sell their products. We aim to blend our short-term rental business with cultural experiences», he explained.
Karim confirmed plans to expand his business in Morocco after settling in Marrakech, considering new agencies in Casablanca or Agadir to leverage the tourism potential of these cities. He and his team are also preparing for major events that Morocco will host, particularly the African Cup finals at the end of 2025 and the 2030 World Cup finals. «We are planning attractive offers for customers, allowing them to watch matches and explore Moroccan tourist spots simultaneously», he said.
«We will develop a plan enabling customer to watch matches in different cities and learn about each region's culture, all while being open to young Moroccan talents who want to join us», Karim concluded.
