Rabat – Morocco has officially introduced a new star rating system that will apply to all types of tourist accommodations across the country.
This marks the first time that hotels, riads, guest houses, and other lodging options will be classified under a single, internationally recognized star system.
The Moroccan Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy has announced new rules to improve the quality of tourist accommodations across the country. Five new official orders have been published to update the 2015 law on tourist lodging, aiming to give visitors a better and clearer experience.
From now on, all types of tourist accommodations will be rated using a star system similar to hotels.
This new star rating is easier to understand and follows international standards, which would help tourists choose their stay more confidently, said the ministry in a press release.
“Every type of accommodation, whether Hotels, riads, Hotel clubs, Kasbahs…will now use the same star rating system that travelers recognize worldwide,” said the Minister of Tourism Fatim-Zahra Ammor.
The evaluation will focus on buildings and facilities, as well as on the quality of service throughout the guest’s stay. To ensure this, mystery visitors will regularly inspect the accommodations using a detailed checklist of up to 800 criteria, developed with the World Tourism Organization.
Ratings will no longer be permanent. New establishments will be reviewed every 7 years, and others every 5 years, to maintain high standards.
Another new idea introduced is called “Residences Immobilières Adossées” (RIA). This lets investors build private villas connected to 5-star or luxury hotels, which they can sell to private owners.
These villas will be managed by the hotel, offering luxury guests a more private experience. This aims to encourage more investment in Morocco’s tourism sector.
Ammor said this is step as a big achievement, saying it will help position Morocco as a top tourist destination. “Morocco is world famous for its hospitality. With these new measures, we are elevating our hospitality standards to match our legendary reputation!” she wrote.
Tourism businesses have 24 months to adjust to the new rules. This gives them time to improve their services, train their staff, and prepare for the new inspections.
Soon, new rules will also cover other types of lodging like “bivouacs” (camping sites), home stays, and innovative options such as container homes and cabins. These rules will also include listings on popular booking platforms.
