Introduction
Moroccan law regulates tourism activities within a comprehensive legislative framework, including general laws regulating the sector (such as Law 27-09 on tourist facilities) and laws specific to specific tourism professions. This framework aims to develop the tourism sector while maintaining quality and safety standards and supporting sustainable development, particularly in the field of ecotourism. Below, we will review the most important regulatory texts related to rural tourism accommodation (huts, tents, and guest houses), the regulation of travel agencies, and the regulation of the tourist guide profession in Morocco, with reference to licensing requirements, qualifications, and applicable legal responsibilities.
Rural and Ecotourism Accommodation
Rural accommodation includes small lodging units such as wooden huts, rural houses (gîtes), furnished tents, guest houses (Dar d’Hôte), and campements (campings) in natural areas. These units are subject to the conditions for obtaining a tourism license issued by the Ministry of Tourism, within the classification of tourism establishments (hotels and non-hotels). General regulatory texts (Law 27-09 and its amendments) require adherence to several environmental and health standards, including compliance with the requirements of general environmental laws (such as nature protection and pollution control), and security and safety requirements (such as health monitoring and fire suppression standards). According to administrative practices, rural accommodation establishments cannot commence operations without obtaining a permit or license from the competent authorities of the Ministry of Tourism. These authorities inspect the site and assess the compliance of safety, health, and environmental conditions with applicable standards before granting the appropriate license.

Regulation of Travel Agencies
Law No. 11-16, published in the Official Gazette in 2019, regulates the travel agent profession and updates its legal framework.
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This law establishes two basic licenses for practicing the travel agent activity: travel agent organizer-distributor (obtains the necessary licenses to organize and sell travel packages) and travel agent distributor only (responsible for selling tourism services without organizing them). The two activities must be separated to ensure clarity of responsibilities and obligations for each category. Licensing Conditions: The license application must be submitted through the Ministry of Tourism’s online platform, accompanied by legal and administrative documents. The required documents include the company’s articles of association (if the applicant is a legal entity), a copy of the national ID card or residence document for a natural person, and the required academic qualifications.
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Academic Qualifications and Experience: Implementing Decree No. 2.21.80 of 2022 specifies the required qualifications for each license category.
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. For example, those seeking an “Organizer-Distributor” license must have a five-year postgraduate degree (or other qualifications with relevant professional experience), while a “Distributor” license requires at least a two-year university degree or a technical diploma with at least two years of tourism experience.
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. Travel Agent Responsibilities: Travel agencies are obligated not to organize services beyond the limits of their license (particularly “distributor” agencies, which must not provide organizing services). They are also subject to the consumer protection rules stipulated in the Consumer Protection Law (Law 31-96), including safeguarding tourists’ funds, guaranteeing refunds in the event of cancellation or dispute, and civil liability insurance for the traveler. The law also requires the deposit of a financial guarantee with the public treasury covering the agency’s obligations to clients, and the maintenance of an up-to-date commercial register.
Regulation of the Tourist Guide Profession
The tour guide profession is regulated by Law No. 05-12 of 2015, which was amended and supplemented by several subsequent laws (Law Nos. 133.13, 93.18, 67-21, and 19-22).
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This law, along with the requirements of its implementing decree and ministerial decisions, set the necessary conditions for entering the profession and ensuring the quality of services provided. Categories of Tourist Guides: The law distinguishes between two categories of guides
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City and Tourist Route Guide: Specializes in accompanying tourists within cities and to historical and cultural landmarks in tourist areas (such as museums, markets, and heritage sites), providing them with the necessary geographical, historical, and cultural information.
Nature Guide: Accompanying tourists on exploratory trips to natural sites (mountains, deserts, forests, rural villages, etc.), either on foot or using traditional means of transportation (beasts or carts), providing them with geographical, historical, and cultural information about the natural landmarks they visit.
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Licensing Requirements: The law requires that tour guides obtain a professional card issued by the Ministry of Tourism after passing specialized examinations that separate the theoretical and oral components. They must also possess the required academic credentials (such as a baccalaureate degree with training courses or tourism diplomas) and field experience according to their specialization (language level and geographical knowledge). The Ministry of Tourism operates specialized testing committees that meet to approve the results of guide licenses and ensure the integrity of guides’ career paths.

Concluding Remarks
It is clear from the above that the regulation of ecotourism and rural accommodation in Morocco is based on general tourism laws, while adhering to environmental and safety laws. Each rural or Bedouin accommodation unit must obtain a tourism license, and standards such as the protection of local products and environmental conservation are applied. Travel agencies and tour guides are subject to specific legislation (“travel agent” and “tour guide”), which defines the types of licenses, professional requirements, and legal responsibilities of each.
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The competent authorities continue to develop these laws and regulatory tools (such as digitizing license applications and training programs for guides) to keep pace with developments in the tourism sector and ensure its sustainability and the quality of its services. References: Official texts issued by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism (Law Regulating the Travel Agent Profession No. 11-16
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and its Implementing Decree No. 2.21.80
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; Law Regulating the Tourist Guide Profession No. 05-12 and its amendments
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), in addition to the relevant ministry’s procedural guide.