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Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism’s ranking system for tourist accommodations is being revised as part of its new regulatory reforms to increase tourism in Morocco.
Tourist accommodations are one of the necessary pillars of the tourism industry. Affordable high quality hotel accommodations are key in determining tourists’ travel destinations. The Ministry of Tourism has been focusing on increasing the number of tourist accommodation establishments. Bed capacity throughout Morocco increased from 97,000 beds in 2001 to more than 230,000 beds at the end of 2015.
To ensure quality tourist services that meet the expectations of customers and to distinguish between different levels of tourist accommodation establishments, the government implemented a ranking system in 2002, under law 61-00 (Dahir No. 1-02-176 of June 13 2002) on the status of tourist establishments as amended and supplemented by Law 01-07 (Dahir No. 1 -08 to 60 of 23 May 2008 on the law on 01-07 relation to residential real estate for the promotion of tourism.
Participation in the ranking system is mandatory for tourist establishments. Although national in scope, it has been administered regionally since 2002.
The ranking system is divided into three sections: the ranking scope, the ranking device, and the ranking repository.
The scope of ranking defines the types of institutions involved in the ranking system and the categories and the stars that correspond to each type. The Ministry of Tourism distinguishes between 14 types of tourist establishments: hotel, motel, hotel residence, residential real estate tourism for promotion, hotel-club, hostel, guest house, home, center or convention center, bivouac, and tourist restaurant. Each type may include one or more categories.
The ranking device sets general requirements, ranking procedures, composition of the various committees, etc. This ranking device is in the form of provisional technical ranking, which aims to ensure the compliance of architectural plans of tourist establishment to the ranking standards before starting work, or an operating ranking, which in turn aims to verify the compliance of all tourist establishments to the norms of ranking after the “Ranking Regional Commission” visit.
Ranking repository defines the minimum standards with which each type of tourism establishment must comply according to its category, in terms of infrastructure, size, hygiene, and safety.
The tourist establishment ranking system is a distinctive tool to prioritize the standing of these institutions by assigning a classification according to a star system (1 *, 2 *, 3 *, 4 *, 5 *) and categories (1st class, 2nd class …).
The system allows tourist establishments to comply with the ranking standards and benefit from a range of competitive advantages, allowing them to enhance the quality of their services and their competitiveness at national and international levels.
Tourist establishments benefit from marketing, publicity and public relations activities conducted by the Moroccan National Tourist Office and the Regional and Provincial Center of Tourism, with the opportunity to participate in a wide range of fairs and exhibitions in Morocco and abroad. They also become better known by being listed in the official guides and standards for tourist facilities.
Tourist facilities have at their disposal financial and technical support mechanisms specifically designed for them. They also receive a well thought out standard reference to improve the quality of service. They have the opportunity to gain certifications to enhance the facilities’ attractiveness and strengthen their market position. They may also benefit from coaching regarding any renovation, expansion, or upgrade of the tourist establishment.
