(independent) -- The royal was greeted by Moroccan Prime Minister Saadeddine Othmani at Tangier airport in July as he made his way to his 74-acre purpose-built summer palace, according to local media. 

King Salman arrived for his annual break with an entourage of over 1,000 people, according to the Haaretz newspaper. Ministers, advisers and relatives were booked in to the city's most luxurious hotels.

In 2016, vast renovation works were carried out on the property, including the addition of new buildings, helipads and a big top tent to entertain guests. 

This year's visit is being hailed as a welcome boost for the local economy and the holiday is expected to account for 1.5 per cent of the country’s foreign tourism revenue, according to Spanish paper La Vanguardia.

Last summer, 100 black Mercedes and Range Rovers were on call to escort the King and his royal party around town, according to The New York Times.

His sprawling Tangier complex near Cape Spartel, above the beaches of Jbilia, also includes its own medical facilities and luxury restaurants.

King Salman owns properties around the world including several apartments in Paris, a chateau on the Côte d’Azur in France and a palace in Marbella. 

But his summer hideaway in Tangier is said to be his favourite, of numerous properties around the world. 

(Photo: King Salman descends on one of his golden escalators from a plane. by AFP)