Morocco Gains Support for New Tourism Accommodation Classification

UNWTO, the Government of Morocco and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed an agreement to support the Ministry of Tourism of Morocco in the implementation of a new classification system for tourism accommodation establishments.

The project will build capacity within the Ministry of Tourism to set up a new classification system for the accommodation establishments, a central part of Morocco’s tourism strategy - Vision 2020.

The agreement raises awareness among tourism accommodation establishments and relevant stakeholders of the need for a new classification system, in order to ensure its sustainable implementation.

"This initiative will contribute to the economic and social development of Morocco as it creates opportunities to advance the quality of its tourism sector," said UNWTO Executive Director for Programme and Coordination, Fréderic Pierret, in signing the agreement on behalf of UNWTO.

The project, financed by the Government of Morocco, will be implemented by UNWTO who will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Tourism between 2013 and 2018.

Morocco is one of the leading tourism destinations in North Africa, with almost 10 million international tourist arrivals in 2012 and US$ 6.7 billion in revenues 2012.

A UNWTO member since 1975, Morocco has shown a remarkable tourism growth, with international tourist arrivals more than doubling over the last decade. Much of this expansion was supported by its open skies policy and the diversification of its tourism product.