Business Travel in Morocco

Overview by Globlatrade.net:

Entry Requirements

Passport and Visa Service: Formalities for the visitors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Visa HQ

Diplomatic Representations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation

For visa requirements and health advices based on your personal details and itinerary, check IATA Travel Website.

Organizing Your Trip

Means of Transport Recommended in Town

Recommendation: `Small taxis' of different colour according to the cities are a practical and relatively cheap option (they are equipped with taxometers).
Buses are not very reliable and dilapidated.
Maps of Urban Networks: Maporama
Mapblast
UT Library on line
ViaMichelin

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Rabat - Sale (RBA)	9 km / 6 miles	private cars and shuttle vans	-	-	Available
Casablanca - Mohammed V (CMN)	25 km / 16 miles	MAD 200-300 / 30-40 min	MAD 20 / 45 min	MAD 35 / 30 min	Available
Marrakech - Menara (RAK)	6 km / 4 miles	MAD 60 / 10-15 min	MAD 3	-	Available

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Recommendation: There is a railroad in the Tangier-Fes-Marrakech triangle. Though not very fast, it is a comfortable and relatively reliable option.
Apart from this route, there exists a rather dense bus network. Best maintained are those of CTM and Supratours.
To access more isolated areas, "big taxis" must be taken. Several seats can be bought if one is in a hurry.
Rail Companies: Railway National Office

Airlines

Name	Type	Domestic Flights	International Flights
Royal Air Maroc	Major	Yes	Yes
Atlas-Blue	Low-cost	No	Yes
Jet 4 You	Low-cost	No	Yes
Regional Airlines	Major	Yes	Yes

You Can Consult the List of Airlines Banned Within the EU. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Traveling By Yourself

Recommendation: Driving during night is not recommended.
Generally, prudence is required as Moroccan drivers are unpredictable and accidents are frequent.
Road Maps: Morocco Weather
Map of the Ministry of Transports, for each region
7 dragons
Find an Itinerary: Morocco itinerary
Marocou

Visiting

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical: Agadir, Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, Ouarzazate, Tangier must be visited, as also numerous sites entered in the world heritage of the Unesco: the Ait-Ben-Haddou Ksar, la Essaouira medina, those of Fes, Marrakech, Tetouan, the historical city of Meknes, the Portuguese city of Mazagan and the archaeological site of Volubilis.
Cultural: One can appreciate the time-honoured works of tanner artisans in Tétouan or the special atmosphere of a riad in Marrakech. In a more modern range, there are the Arab-Andalusian or Berber musical concerts, the villa of Arts in Casablanca and the Majorelle villa at Marrakech.
Nature: Morocco impresses by the variety of its countrysides: forests of the Rif, plains lined with orchards, and the Middle-Atlas, mountain tops of the High-Atlas, rock and sand deserts in the South.
Religious: The Hassan II mosque in Casablanca is one of the biggest in the world.
Thermal: As of now there are only 2 important sites, Moulay Yaacoub and Sidi Harazem near Fès, but the sector is being fully developed.
Beach: The Agadir beach, several kilometers long is world famous.
The Mediterranean beaches, around Tétouan in particular, are also very pleasant.
Winter Sports: Alpine skiing and ski-touring are practiced during winter in the High-Atlas, mainly in the Oukaïmeden and in the mountains of Toubkal.
Outdoor Activities: Possibilities are varied and significant: mountain sports (trekking, ski, rafting), sea sports (sailing, jet-ski, water-skiing), golf, parachuting, etc.
Shopping: Moroccan craft industry, in particular the carpets as also leather articles and potteries, is much appreciated. The souk of big cities offer business possibilities.
Argan oil, distinct in the world, is also sought for its numerous virtues.

Top Highlights of the Capital City
The necropolis of Chellah (Rabat)
The Hassan tower (Rabat)
The walls of Rabat
The medina of Rabat
The kasbah of Oudaia (Rabat)
The mausoleum of Mohammed V
The Lalla Haya spring
The new medina of Casablanca
The Hassan II mosque (Casablanca)
The villa of Arts (Casablanca)

Top Highlights of the Country
The Jemaa-al-Fna square
The medina of Fes
Essaouira
The ruins of Volubilis
The kasbah of Oudaia
The museum of Oasis at Tinejdad
The palm grove of Tineghir
The waterfalls of Ouzoud
The valley of Ait Boughmez
The cedar plantation of the Middle-Atlas (In French)

Tourism Organizations: National Office of Tourism
Administration of Tourisme

Living Conditions

Health and Safety

Health Precautions: No vaccination is required for international voyages. The risk of malaria (exclusively in the benign form of P. vivax) is limited from May to October in certain households of certain rural areas of the following provinces: Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, Khouribga and Taounate. Disease prevention recommended. To protect oneself against the traveler's diarrhea (tourista), it is recommended to avoid foods which are more at risk: pre-cooked dishes and cold soups; seafood, meats, undercooked fish and raw vegetables as well as fruits not peeled by oneself. Drinking water must be boiled, filtered or consumed in sealed bottles. Decontaminating tablets (Hydroclonazone, Micropur) are partially effective.
Drinking water is supplied in all the big cities and in certain villages, but it is recommended to drink mineral water. Wash fruits and vegetables carefully. Consume well done meats. Avoid bathing in the wadis and dams.
International Hospitals: There are relatively few international hospitals.
Nevertheless, one can cite the Cheikh Zaid International Hospital in Rabat and the Ifrane International Hospital.
For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions: MD Travel Health
CDC Traveler's Health
For Further Information on Safety Conditions: Site of the US Department of State
Chaka Travel

Emergency Numbers

Emergency police	19
Royal police	177
Fire-fighters	15

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference: It is %T:%M %A In Rabat (GMT during winter and GMT+1 during summer)
Summer Time Period: +1h between May 31 and September 28.

Map of the Time Zone

Fuseau(x) horaire

Type of Climate: The temperatures are mild in the coastal area and more extreme in the interior of the country.
For Further Information: Morocco-Weather

Average Annual Temperatures and Rainfall

Climate

Eating

Food Specialties: Moroccan cuisine is prepared with exquisite spices, vegetables and fruits, fish and meats.

You can taste:
- Kebabs: pieces of beef or chicken marinated with spices
- Couscous: wheat flour with meat and vegetables
- Lamb barbecue: whole lamb on a skewer
- Pastilla: with pigeon, chicken or seafood (this recipe contains all the Middle-East and North-African flavours).
- Tajines: red or white meat with sauce and vegetables or dry fruits
Drinks: Tea is found everywhere. Moroccans consume green tea of China, often decorated with mint. Coffee is also found very much.
Fresh fruit juices are varied and excellent.
Alcohol is relatively rare, though the Meknès region produces pleasant wines.
Dietary Restrictions: Pork

Paying

Domestic Currency: Moroccan Dirham
ISO Code: MAD
To Obtain Domestic Currency: The national currency is Dirham (MAD), currency made convertible in 1993.
Possible Means of Payment: Bank cards are accepted in some large institutions of the main cities.
Foreign currencies, Euro in particular, are accepted in the tourist areas

Speaking

Official Language: Arabic
Other Languages Spoken: 60% of the population speak Moroccan Arabic while 30% to 40% speak the Berber of the early Egyptians. Moreover, it is important to note that French is the second language of Morocco and occupies a very important place in public life. Finally, Spanish is also spoken in the north of the country. Berber is widespread and English is mainly used by Moroccans who have studied abroad (mainly in the United States).
Business Language: French is used with Arabic for administration.
Getting Some Knowledge: Speak Moroccan and Learn Moroccan Arabic - method to learn Moroccan dialectal Arabic - French/Arabic vocabulary Babel Project - French/Arabic/Amazighe vocabulary
Free Translation Tools: Arjeeb : Dictionary and translation online
Ectaco : Online dictionary