New tourist accommodation standards in Morocco 2025: welcome to “standards 2.0”
Since January 2025, Morocco has officially unveiled an ambitious reform that is redrawing the outlines of its hotel and para-hotel sector. These new tourist accommodation standards mark a crucial step in the evolution of Moroccan tourism: greater transparency, better classification of establishments and, above all, an enhanced guest experience.
So what do these changes mean for hotels, riads, guest houses… and of course for guests? Let's take a tour of the 2025 standards, seriously but with a little good humour along the way.
Why Morocco adopted new standards in 2025
The Kingdom has always taken pride in its hospitality, but the house did need a bit of tidying up. Three main reasons explain this reform:
- Increased international competition: attracting more tourists calls for clear standards that compare with other Mediterranean destinations.
- Clarity for guests: no more puzzling over the different categories used by riads, inns and hotels. The new rules harmonise the language of tourism.
- Bringing the informal sector on board: a significant share of supply was flying under the radar. With these standards, Morocco wants to regularise and make the most of this pool of accommodation.
The major changes in tourist accommodation
A star rating for everyone
From now on, every establishment: hotels, riads, tourist residences and even kasbahs, will be rated with stars. It is clear, universal and far simpler for guests comparing their options online.
Mandatory “A” standards and complementary “B” standards
The new system draws a distinction between two types of standard:
- A standards: mandatory, they guarantee a baseline of quality (hygiene, safety, accessibility, essential facilities, digitalisation).
- B standards: complementary, they cover comfort, innovation, sustainability or additional services. Every establishment must meet a certain percentage of them.
This distinction encourages professionals to go beyond the bare minimum.
Mystery visits and tighter quality control
Gone are the days when a rating was set in stone! Establishments will be reassessed regularly through mystery visits. These “incognito” inspections will check cleanliness, service quality and the welcome given to guests. The upshot: every star will have to be earned and maintained over time.
Regularising informal accommodation (Airbnb, riads and so on)
Airbnb listings and undeclared guest houses will no longer be able to go their own way. A 24-month transition period is planned to bring these properties into the official stock. The pay-off: more overnight stays recorded, more tax revenue and a better-regulated offer for visitors.
Technical standards and digitalisation
The technical requirements are changing too: minimum room dimensions, lifts, green spaces, fire safety, CCTV… everything is under scrutiny.
What is more, digitalisation is now unavoidable: online booking systems, electronic payments, multilingual communication. Even the most traditional riads will have to move with the digital times.
The table below sums up what each change covers and what it means in practice for a property.
| Change | What it covers | What it means for the property |
|---|---|---|
| Star rating extended to all | Hotels, riads, tourist residences, kasbahs | One readable scale when a traveller compares two addresses online |
| A standards, mandatory | Hygiene, safety, accessibility, essential equipment, digitalisation | The base you must meet to exist in the classified stock |
| B standards, complementary | Comfort, innovation, sustainability, extra services | A share to reach, which sets how high the property climbs |
| Mystery visits | Cleanliness, service quality, welcome | A rating reassessed regularly, never acquired once and for all |
| Bringing informal stays into the fold | Private rentals, undeclared guest houses | A 24-month transition period to join the official stock |
| Technical requirements | Room sizes, lifts, green areas, fire safety, video surveillance | Upgrade spending to prioritise after a compliance audit |
| Digitalisation | Online booking, electronic payment, multilingual communication | A mandatory base, including for the most traditional riads |
What does this mean for hoteliers and guests?
Opportunities and challenges for professionals
The good news: these standards boost the credibility of Moroccan establishments on the international stage. The less good news: they sometimes demand heavy investment (technical upgrades, staff training, digital tools). Some smaller operators fear they will not be able to keep up.
Can we say that Airbnb has more legitimacy than the hotel? No. But it has made its mark by forcing the legal framework to evolve. The balance between the two models is gradually evening out.
More transparency for tourists
For guests, this is something of a revolution: stars become a reliable benchmark, and service quality is closely monitored. Fewer nasty surprises, more successful stays!
Revenue and competitiveness for the state
By bringing the informal sector into the fold, the state improves tax collection and strengthens Morocco's competitiveness on the global tourism market. More fairness, more visibility and better governance of the sector.
Practical tips for adapting to the new standards
- Carry out a compliance audit: identify the gaps and prioritise your investments.
- Make the most of the transition period: 24 months to get compliant means now is the time to act, step by step.
- Play to local strengths: riads and guest houses can combine authenticity with modernity.
- Communicate clearly: displaying your rating, certifications and services reassures customers.
- Stay connected: investing in digital is no longer a luxury but a necessity.
Conclusion: a shift towards more transparent, higher-quality tourism
The new tourist accommodation standards in Morocco for 2025 mark a decisive turning point. Between the harmonised star rating, the integration of the informal sector and the upgrading of services, Morocco is charting a course towards more structured, more competitive tourism.
The road will certainly require effort and investment, but it also promises a more transparent form of hospitality, where every star reflects genuine value.
In short: more rigour, but always with that Moroccan charm that keeps guests coming back again and again.
Frequently asked questions
Does my riad really have to get a star rating? Yes. The star rating now covers every type of tourist accommodation, including riads, tourist residences and kasbahs, not just hotels. The point is that a traveller comparing two addresses online reads the same scale on both.
What is the difference between A standards and B standards? A standards are mandatory: hygiene, safety, accessibility, essential equipment, digital tools. B standards are optional add-ons covering comfort, innovation, sustainability or extra services, and each property has to meet a given share of them. Put simply, A lets you operate, B decides how high you climb.
I rent out on Airbnb in Morocco, does this apply to me? Yes. Accommodation that has stayed outside the official register, from private rentals to undeclared guest houses, is meant to be brought into it. A 24-month transition period is planned for that.
How long do I have to bring my property into line? The announced transition period is 24 months. The most effective approach is to start with a compliance audit, list the gaps, then spread the spending in order of priority. Leaving everything to the final months is the surest way to pay full price for all of it.
How does a mystery visit actually work? An inspector checks in like any other guest and rates cleanliness, service quality and the welcome. A rating is therefore no longer settled for good, it is reassessed on a regular basis. Which means the star has to be earned on inspection day just like every other day.
Does a small property really have to go digital? Yes, digital tools are part of the mandatory core: online booking, electronic payment, multilingual communication. A traditional riad can keep its character and its decor while offering all three. These are two separate matters, and the second one is settled far faster than the first.
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