4 days ago
Morocco overhauls tourist accommodation regulations with new star-rating system
Morocco's Tourism Ministry has published five new decrees in the Official Bulletin, completing the regulatory framework of Law 80-14 on tourist accommodation. The measures aim to modernize the sector and ensure a high-quality customer experience.
All tourist accommodations will now follow a simplified star-rating system aligned with international standards. Guesthouses, tourist residences, and holiday clubs, previously classified under separate categories, will now be rated with stars, like hotels. Riads and Kasbahs will also join this unified system, helping them better showcase their unique offerings.
This universal classification brings greater clarity for tourists and more transparency for operators. In addition to infrastructure, service quality becomes a key evaluation criterion, assessed throughout the customer journey.
To ensure standards, specialized auditors will conduct regular mystery visits using a detailed evaluation grid of up to 800 criteria, developed with the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism).
Classifications will no longer be permanent—they'll be reassessed every seven years for new establishments, and every five years afterward.
A major innovation targets 5-star and luxury hotels: «Attached Real Estate Residences» (RIA). This model allows investors to build and sell villas linked to their hotels, offering a private experience for upscale clients while boosting sector investment.
Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor called the reform a «decisive step» and noted it was achieved through broad collaboration. «Beyond regulation, this positions Morocco among leading global tourist destinations», she added.
Professionals will have 24 months to comply with the new standards, giving them time to upgrade facilities, train staff, and prepare for audits.
The framework will soon expand to cover bivouacs, homestays, and alternative lodging (e.g., container homes, cabins), including those listed on digital platforms. These upcoming decrees aim to: Ensure quality and safety through strict guidelines, legally integrate informal operators, and expand lodging options for tourists.
This diversification is expected to improve pricing regulation, especially during peak seasons, making tourism more accessible without sacrificing quality.
