The repercussions of the statements made by Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi continue to cast a shadow over public affairs. During a recent parliamentary session at the House of Councillors, he stated that hotels have no right to demand a marriage certificate from couples wishing to book accommodations.
A memorandum from a hotel sparked controversy when it called for not requiring guests to present a marriage certificate, resulting in mixed reactions, with some praising the move and others condemning it. However, this internal memo from a classified hotel in Agadir lacked an official stamp. Various sources indicated that it was issued following communications with local authorities that instructed hotels not to ask for marriage certificates.
A tourism professional in Agadir confirmed to "Al-Arabiya Net" that authorities have urged hotels in the cities of Essaouira, Agadir, and Marrakech not to demand marriage contracts from guests. Additionally, women are permitted to stay in hotels regardless of the address on their national ID cards. Nonetheless, this permission was communicated verbally, and hotels did not receive any written correspondence from relevant authorities.
Some hotels have already begun implementing this decision following the statements of Minister Ouahbi. The professional, who requested anonymity, praised this "verbal" decision as a positive step akin to practices in hotels outside Morocco, expressing agreement with the Minister's remarks on the subject.
The professional emphasized that this issue remains a purely regulatory matter and not an ethical one, asserting that reception staff in hotels should fulfill their roles in this regard. Conversely, Youssef Zaki, the regional president of the hotel industry for the eastern region, stated that "hotels today face complex challenges due to the new directives that do not require guests to present marriage certificates upon check-in."
He added that while these policies might increase revenues for some hotels in the short term, they could lead to ethical consequences in the long run. He called for a reconsideration of this decision in order to achieve a delicate balance between facilitating business and preserving social and moral values.
Zaki emphasized that "achieving this balance requires close cooperation between the government, hotel owners, and civil society to ensure a safe and stable tourism environment." He stated that the implementation of this decision should be optional rather than mandatory, allowing hotels the freedom to apply it according to their own principles and values.
He expressed concern that this decision could significantly affect conservative investors who voluntarily refrain from selling alcohol in their establishments and prefer to provide a family-friendly environment. In an interview with "Al-Arabiya Net," he noted that "forcing these investors not to require marriage certificates contradicts their core values, which may discourage them from investing in the hotel sector."
He added that adherence to these policies could reduce the diversification of investment opportunities and weaken the hotel sector's ability to meet the needs of various community segments.
Simultaneously, Zaki called on relevant authorities to work together to find middle-ground solutions that ensure the prosperity of the hotel sector while maintaining the social and ethical values that are integral to the fabric of society.
It is worth noting that Minister Ouahbi mentioned in his intervention at the House of Councillors last Tuesday that requiring citizens to present marriage certificates before granting them rooms is "action without legal basis," stating, "Those who demand these documents are in violation of the law and should be prosecuted." His statements emphasized the necessity of simplifying administrative procedures and not requiring citizens to provide unnecessary documentation, considering such demands as interference in their private lives.
