Morocco introduces five new rules to modernise tourism and attract investors
As part of the implementation of Law 80-14 on tourist establishments, the Moroccan authorities have announced five new decisions that mark a significant turning point in the development of the tourism sector. The decisions were jointly issued by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Tourism.
Government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas emphasized that the aim of these measures is to raise the quality of services, strengthen tourist confidence, and encourage investment through clear and internationally harmonised standards.
What do the new rules bring?
The five decisions cover the following:
- Clarification of the criteria and procedures for the categorisation of tourist accommodation – including hotels, riads, clubs, and other forms.
- Introduction of standardised forms for the categorisation of restaurants, with clearly defined conditions for obtaining permits.
- Harmonisation of administrative forms for submitting applications for licensing and categorisation.
- Setting criteria for residential properties who wish to obtain tourist accommodation status.
- Enabling unannounced quality inspections and extension of the star system of categorisation to all forms of accommodation.
These measures allow for better management of traditional properties such as riads and kasbahs, which will now be integrated into the official tourism system with the same standards as conventional hotels.
Financial incentives and investor support
One of the most important points of the new rules relates to investments: the state will provide public contribution up to 30 % costs for tourism projects, with the aim of further stimulating the development of new capacities and the modernisation of existing facilities.
According to official data, Morocco hosted 5.7 million tourists, which represents growth of 23 % compared to the same period last year. Tourism revenues reached 34.4 billion Moroccan dirhams (MAD), what is 7.5 % more but in the same period in 2024.
“These extraordinary results confirm that Morocco has become one of the most dynamic tourist destinations in the world and the leading destination in Africa,” stated spokesperson Baitas.
The new legal framework clearly demonstrates Morocco's ambition to position itself as a competitive, high-quality, and sustainable destination on a global scale. By introducing transparent rules, supporting investment, and modernising the classification system, Moroccan tourism is entering a new phase of development – one in which quality, trust, and authenticity go hand in hand.
