It is with great delight that we find ourselves able to sell properties in a country we love as home.  One of Property Global’s Directors was born and educated in Morocco, thereby giving a bit of an edge regarding knowledge of the country.  

Obviously, we have followed what has been happening in the Moroccan property market.  We were delighted when the young King introduced the Azure Plan 2010 and entered into a five-year agreement with Ryanair to introduce low fares to Morocco introducing the open skies policy, plans to link mainland Spain to Morocco via a tunnel by 2010 and massive investment in tourism and infrastructure.  

We have selected a number of very good value developments to place on our web site but if you have a particular wish for, say, a village house or a Riad please contact us with your requirements and we will assist you in finding your ideal location and future home.  

ABOUT MOROCCO

Morocco, a land of sensations, of scents and flowers, only 9 miles from Spain, Morocco is a mixture of many races, from the indigenous Berbers in the north to the Toureg in the South.  The country has seen many peoples in its history, from the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, Romans and the Arabs who came in the 7th century, Spanish, Portuguese and French have influenced the region.    This is a country where every colour and ethnicity can be seen from the Berbers, Arabs, Jews, Africans, Europeans, peoples still living in caves and mud houses to mansions the palaces hardly seen elsewhere in the world.       

The country has miles of unspoilt beaches which run along the Mediterranean down the Atlantic, the country has snow-capped mountains in the north and south, the Rif Mountains in the north, Middle Atlas and High Atlas making it possible to ski in the morning and sun-bathe in the afternoon.  On one side of the mountains there is the wonderful, unique and vibrant city of Marrakech and in the distance the High Atlas, with the Sahara dessert just on the other side.  The climate in the South is hot all year round with the north, in winter, being similar to Spain.  The culture, atmosphere, sights, sounds and smells are a continent away from Europe. 

The rich and famous have always enjoyed  Morocco and it has been a bit of a hideaway for many years.  Sir Winston Churchill, Elizabeth Taylor, the late Malcolm Forbes often had parties in his home in Morocco.  The old Hollywood set often holidayed in Morocco - Betty Hutton owned a beautiful villa just outside Tangiers.   Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan were great fans of Asilah and Essouira.  Yves St Laurent has had a holiday home in Marrakech for many years.  Richard Branson’s mother has owned property in Morocco for many a year.  With the influx of so many foreigners into Marrakech top name designers have been opening up shops in the past year or two to service the high calibre clients in the area.

Morocco is a golfer’s paradise.   A great favourite of Sean Connery.  The ex King was a great golfer and there are some fantastic courses already well established.  Designers are flooding into Marrakech and it is only a matter of time before Property Global believe Marrakech will soon rank alongside Monte Carlo, Marbella – watch this space! 

On discussing Morocco we must never miss out on its culinary delights.  Moroccan food is the best in the world.  A Moroccan family can make a meal on the beach, under the shade of a tree, with a tagine, a bit of charcoal and a few ingredients taste like a meal fit for a king.

Morocco is a totally unique experience – there really is nowhere on earth quite like this magical country.  

WHY MOROCCO?

• Expansion backed by the King in the Azure Plan 2010;
• The best cuisine in the world!
• Friendly, wonderful, hospitable people;
• First class golf courses in nearly every city (approx 30);
• Excellent – year round sunshine particularly in the South;
• Only 2½ - 3 hrs flight;
• Low cost airlines in abundance;
• Mortgages available;
• Low cost of living;
• Spectacular scenery;
• Historical and archaeological wealth;
• Tourism expected to increase from to 10m visitors per year;
• Infrastructure including new roads, airports, marinas, train lines, 5 star resorts; shopping malls;
• Annual capital growth of 15-30% expected based on last year’s figures; 30% according to Homes Overseas Magazine;
• Languages spoken are English, French, Spanish and Arabic

King Mohamed Ibn al Hassan is a young progressive leader heading up enormous developments and progress in his country.  He has unveiled an ambitious project called Vision 2010 or often referred to as The Azure Plan as a national tourism strategy.  The objectives are to attract up to 10 million visitors a year by  2010 and to create up to 600,000 jobs in the process. 

So far six new seaside resorts with luxury hotels and spas are to be built.  75,000 young Moroccans are being trained in the hospitality sector and US$3 billion investment is being placed in Royal Air Maroc which will triple the airline’s fleet to cope with 10m tourists by 2010. 

Developers are also moving into the country.  EMAAR, developers in Dubai are investing heavily in several resorts across the country.  Easy-jet, Ryanair, British Airways and Royal Air Maroc now fly into Moroccan airports at a fraction of the prices available only last year.  Several more routes are in the pipeline which will open Morocco up as never before.

Morocco has tremendous cities, beautiful villages, even Hollywood has moved to Taroudant and many movies are made from this location.

With the support and indeed encouragement of the Government everything possible is being done to open Morocco up to tourism.  The infrastructure is rapidly developing and new roads are being built  all over the country making is easy to get from City to City and holiday destinations from the airports.  Massive expansion plans are underway and the introduction of cheap flights should ensure Morocco is a destination of the future.   The French have been moving back to Morocco in their droves and in fact 36,000 French citizens have purchased property in Marrakech and the British and Irish are now following suit.

LIFESTYLE

Health

No specific vaccinations are required for entry into Morocco.  Normal holiday health insurance is of course recommended as no reciprocal healthcare agreement exists between the UK and Morocco.  Private healthcare and dental facilities are recommended for longer stays.  We recommend contacting info@expatriate-insurance.com.

It is advisable to have a six-month supply of your medication on hand if you have any chronic ailments. 

There are of course many very well qualified, multi-lingual physicians and dentists in the larger towns.  . 

Leisure Time

Some of the leisure activities available in Morocco include :

Education

Education in Morocco is compulsory to the age of 15.  There are small private schools as well as state schools.  There are some international schools mainly in Tangiers, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech.  There are some excellent universities in Morocco and one famous university in particular is the English language university in Ifrane whose curriculum is based on the American education system.