Morocco is embracing eco-tourism as a way to promote sustainability and increase revenue within the tourism sector. In the Agafay region, located approximately 35 kilometers from Marrakech, tourists can experience the beauty of the desert through eco-friendly activities like camel rides. This is another place to add on to your list which we recommended for the best places to visit Africa in 2025.
Ecotourism Takes Root in Morocco
Ecotourism is a growing trend in Morocco, particularly in the Agafay region. During the first half of June 2024, Morocco welcomed 17.6 million tourists, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Ecotourism accounted for 5% of this number, with around 3% concentrated in the Agafay region.
One of the pioneering eco-tourism projects in the region is Kasbah Agafay Hotel and Spa. This traditional-style Kasbah offers guests a chance to immerse themselves in the local culture through various activities. Owner Abdessalam Damoussi purchased the centuries-old stone house in 1996 and spent four years renovating it using sustainable practices and locally sourced natural materials.
Inspired by a Vision for Human-Nature Connection
Damoussi’s vision for the Kasbah was inspired by a book titled “Back to Earth,” written by his friend Prince Sultan bin Salman. The book emphasizes the importance of the connection between humans and the natural world. “I studied it, I did research, and in it, he really goes profoundly on why man should be back to Earth,” Damoussi explains.
Since 2018, Damoussi’s success has inspired other tourism businesses in the Agafay region to adopt similar eco-friendly practices. The Kasbah now welcomes around 5,000 tourists per year, eager to learn about and preserve the surrounding environment.
Experiencing Eco-Tourism at Kasbah Agafay
The Kasbah offers guests a variety of eco-friendly experiences, including camel and horse riding, hiking, traditional music performances, spa and hammam treatments, and cooking classes. The cooking classes utilize fresh ingredients grown in the Kasbah’s organic garden, allowing visitors to learn about the source of their food and its cultural significance.
In addition to rooms within the Kasbah, guests can also choose to stay in traditional tents made from natural materials like leather, wood, and wool. French tourists Avner Sabbn and Vincent Bular were impressed by their stay at the Kasbah. Sabbn described it as “a very magical place and one that you don’t find everywhere in the world,” while Bular remarked, “It’s a real cinema setting, the welcome is wonderful, we really have the impression of being actors in a film in this place of peace, nature, and calm.”
Sustainable Practices at the Kasbah
The Kasbah’s traditional stone construction with thick walls, high wooden ceilings, and tall windows keeps the interior cool in summer and warm in winter, reducing energy consumption. Damoussi is constantly seeking new ways to improve the Kasbah’s sustainability. “We have windows when to switch on electricity. We’re looking seriously at solar panels, for getting the water from the wells, also for irrigation, drip-by-drip irrigation. We use no pesticide in the whole property. We never used any pesticides,” he says.
The Future of Eco-Tourism in Morocco
Nabil Bouraissi, an independent tourist advisor and hotel manager in Rabat, acknowledges the growing importance of eco-tourism in Morocco’s tourism industry. “Ecological tourism now represents a small percentage compared to other types of tourism,” he says. “But now there are a group of hotels and hotel chains that want to get involved in this tourism because of its positive effects. I mean we can bring other tourists. We can have other incomes. For example, not at peak times, this ecological tourism can bring us new tourists.”
While Damoussi prioritizes the ecological aspects of his business, he views it as complementary to traditional tourism. “Ecological tourism, we cannot consider that it’s going to be competition for classical tourism,” he asserts. “I think it’s A – complementary, and B – working hand-in-hand and try to bring classical tourism to do things that ecological tourism does.”
Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism is committed to supporting the growth of eco-tourism. In June, Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor announced plans for a national green growth program called “Go Siyaha.” This program will provide tourist businesses with opportunities to adopt energy-efficient practices. With a goal of attracting 26 million tourists by 2030, Morocco’s ecosystem is something to watched out for as a top travel destination.
