Casablanca Cracks Down on Illegal Airbnb Rentals Amid Tourism Industry Concerns

In application of the texts in force, the apartments must obligatorily obtain a permit before offering accommodation services via international electronic platforms such as Airbnb. But many hotel apartments in Casablanca do not meet this condition.

Tourism professionals have complained to the director of the Casablanca Urban Agency (AUC) about the proliferation of these illegal hotel apartments in the city, reports an anonymous source to Morocco World News. The professionals explained that this situation is causing them enormous damage and asked the AUC, under the supervision of the Ministry of the Interior, as well as the Ministry of Tourism, to take measures against these real estate developers.

The authorities in Casablanca want to crack down on hotel apartments operating without authorization. From now on, apartments providing accommodation services via the Airbnb platform must file an application to obtain a license, in accordance with Decree No. 2.23.441 and Law No. 80.14 relating to tourist establishments and other forms of tourist accommodation.

In addition, the AUC plans to reduce the percentage of new hotel apartments to 20% in the city and review the conditions for the state to issue building permits. Casablanca is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. It is the fourth best city in Africa to live, work and study, according to the 2023 Brand Finance City Index.