THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Summary of meeting with Wali of Fez and Medina investors

Friday, April 13, 2007

Summary of meeting with Wali of Fez and Medina investors

The Wali of Fez

Owners of guesthouses in the Fez medina (particularly foreigners) have long had problems getting the necessary authorisation to operate. Some have followed all the rules, only to have their applications refused for no apparent reason. Others fall short of the requirements in that they have three or four bedrooms rather than the required five. Some have even been told that they should build an extra room on the roof in case the law changes and they will need six. The Ministry of Tourism commission visits the house and insists on particular décor and advises the owners on colour schemes, withholding permission to trade until they’re happy with bright new carpets.

On the other hand, owners of established guesthouses (with authorisation) were unhappy at the proliferation of new guesthouses without authorisation, as the latter were trading without a licence and therefore were not paying taxes. The ‘illegals’ desperately wanted to be part of the mainstream and pay their taxes, but were unable to do so.

In stepped an upbeat, positive Wali (governor of Fez), at a special meeting of guesthouse owners held at the Prefecture Hall in the medina last week. He dealt first with matters of concern raised by established guesthouse owners, and then turned his attention to the problems of the ‘illegal’ guesthouse owners.

Maria Riesterer raised the question of the two new categories of guesthouses that have been proposed to Parliament. This was the question on everybody’s lips. The Wali asked the Ministry of Tourism delegate what the situation was. The delegate explained that there are two new categories which will allow smaller guesthouses with three or four bedrooms to operate, and that the act changing the law has now to be passed by Parliament.

Another question was raised about the commission’s insistence on particular décor. The Tourism delegate explained that Fez has a particular style and that all guesthouses should follow that style, allowing no interpretation and no personal taste. The floor was aghast.

The Wali would brook no such nonsense, and dismissed the official’s comments. In fact, he went so far as to say that he was shocked to hear that guesthouse owners had been so shabbily treated by local petty officials when there was such need to encourage tourism in Fez. He then pledged the establishment of a team at the Baladiya comprised of four people to guide investors in the medina, clarify the application procedure for various licenses, and to follow up.

The Wali also proposed the following:
• that the decoration of guesthouses is at the discretion of the owner rather than the tourism commission.
• that the process of acquiring various licenses related to restoring or establishing a guesthouse should be clarified and made accessible to everyone
• that help should be provided immediately to guesthouses wishing to operate now, before the new law is promulgated
• that there should be a list of restoration contractors and craftsmen operating in the medina to help investors
• that there should be better communication between the various government agencies for the sake of transparency and clarity.

Riad Lune et Soleil

The great follow-up to this story is that Riad Lune et Soleil owners, Pauline and Jurgen Moeller, next day received the authorisation they’ve been waiting for for 3½ years.

Pauline has something to celebrate.

Having been told by the authorities just last week that they should get rid of all that ‘old stuff’ (Jurgen is an avid collector of objets, carpets and textiles) and get some nice new stuff before they could be considered for a licence, they are now celebrating their new authorisation.