Sustainable Travel in Morocco: Returning to the Land That Gives
Sustainable travel is often discussed as an idea. For us, it begins as a commitment to place.
A few miles south of Fez, between B’Halil and the Marmoucha plateau, the land opens quietly into cedar forests, open skies, and agricultural rhythms that have changed little over generations. This is where I recently acquired a small piece of land — not to develop it quickly, but to live with it.
The vision is simple and deliberate: an eco-lodge and retreat space, rooted in the landscape, inspired by Berber life, and designed for people who seek nature, silence, movement, and contemplation rather than distraction.
This will not be a resort. It will be a shared place.
Living Where We Work
I will be living on this land. That choice matters.
Sustainability, for us, is not an offset or a label — it is accountability. When you wake up where you build, you listen differently. You notice the seasons, the water, the soil, the needs of the people who farm nearby.
The surrounding area remains remarkably clean, cared for by its inhabitants. What it needs now is not correction, but support: thoughtful tree planting, respect for existing ecosystems, and economic continuity that allows people to stay rooted rather than leave.
Travel That Gives Back — Tangibly
Through Sarah Tours, we are committing that at least 25% of our profits will be directed toward supporting women farmers in the Beni Sadden area.
These women are not beneficiaries — they are custodians of land, seed, and knowledge. Supporting them means:
strengthening local agriculture
preserving food traditions
encouraging sustainable farming practices
creating dignified income within the community
Travel, when done well, should circulate value locally, not extract it.
Nature, Movement, and Reflection
The retreat space will welcome:
travelers who love nature and simplicity
walkers, hikers, and contemplative minds
those curious about rural Morocco beyond postcards
Activities will be gentle and intentional: walking, observing, learning, eating well, planting trees, and sharing time. The goal is not productivity, but presence.
Here, sustainable travel becomes personal. You don’t visit the land — you spend time with it.
Why This Matters
Morocco does not need more tourism. It needs better relationships with place.
By investing in rural communities, protecting landscapes, and designing travel experiences that honor slowness and care, we believe tourism can become a tool for regeneration rather than consumption.
This project is small by design. But small, when rooted, can endure.
A Quiet Promise
This land will be shared with humility. Its growth will be slow. Its success will be measured not in numbers, but in continuity — trees planted, women supported, soil respected, and visitors who leave changed rather than entertained.
This is sustainable travel as we understand it: living where we invite others to come.
