About The Venue
Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and its economic powerhouse. Renowned for its bustling port and stunning architecture, it offers a unique blend of traditional Moroccan culture and modern urban lifestyle.
The Four Seasons Hotel, Casablanca, Morocco
This year we selected Casablanca as our conference venue due to to the fact that it is Morocco’s largest city and its economic powerhouse. Renowned for its bustling port and stunning architecture, it offers a unique blend of traditional Moroccan culture and modern urban lifestyle. Thus making it the ideal business hub.
Entry requirements
The Kingdom of Morocco launched the electronic visa (e-Visa) procedure to facilitate the granting of visas to foreign nationals subject to their eligibility
If you aren’t eligible for an e-visa, you’ll have to apply at a Moroccan embassy/consulate/visa centre
South Africans will need a valid visa to enter Morocco. Fortunately, the process is straightforward.
The e-Visa service is not operated by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Pretoria, if you apply through their service, please refer all your inquiries to their Contact Us link on the e-Visa website.
Conference Visa Requirements
- Application form for entry visa to the Kingdom of Morocco
- Passport valid of 6 months after the date of return
- A photocopy of the passport (pages indicating identity and validity)
- Two recent color passport photos on a white/light blue background (3.5 x 4.5 cm) clearly showing facial features
- Copy of Identity card or residence permit or any document in lieu thereof
- 1 copy of last three-month Bank statement
- 1 copy of flight itinerary (reservation not booking)
- Travel insurance
- A hotel reservation or presentation of a “Voucher”
- Employment letter must be signed by Employer
- Non-South Africans living in South Africa: a copy of South African Residence Permit valid for 3 months after your last day in Morocco
- An invitation in the name of the visa applicant in the case of participation in fairs and exhibitions issued by the organization organizing these events; All invitations should indicate the period of stay
- Payment of Application feed
Local Customs
Morocco is a Muslim country and it is best to keep the wearing of swimsuits, shorts and other revealing clothing to the beach or hotel poolside. Women travelling alone will generally be hassled less if dressed conservatively. The country has many smokers, and it is customary to offer cigarettes in social situations. Religious customs should be respected, particularly during the month of Ramadan, when eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours should be discreet as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. The giving and receiving of things, and the eating of food, should only be done with the right hand, as the left is considered unclean. Homosexuality is a criminal offence, and sexual relations outside marriage are also
Climate in Morocco
The climate of the northern Moroccan coast and central areas is Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild wet winters.
Electricity
The electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Two-pin round plugs are in use.
Language
Arabic is the official language, but eight other languages are also spoken, including Berber, French and Spanish. English is generally understood in the tourist areas, but French is more widely used.
Duty free
Travelers to Morocco over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 400g tobacco; 1 litre spirits and 1 litre wine; and 150 ml of perfume and 250 ml of eau de toilette.
Mall of Morocco: A Shopper's Paradise
The Mall of Morocco is a massive shopping mall located in Casablanca, Morocco. It boasts a wide range of luxury brands, international retailers, and local boutiques. The mall also features a diverse array of dining options, entertainment venues, and a stunning aquarium.
Fun Fact: The mall houses one of the largest aquariums in Africa, featuring a diverse range of marine life.
Bonus Fun Fact: The Mall of Morocco is owned by the Aksal Group, a leading Moroccan conglomerate with interests in retail, real estate, and banking.
Passport & Visa
All foreign passengers to Morocco must hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their expenses while in the country. It is highly recommended that travelers’ passport has at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Embassies/Consulates in Morocco
United States Embassy, Rabat: +212 0537 637 200.
British Embassy, Rabat: +212 537 63 3333.
Canadian Embassy, Rabat (also responsible for Australia): +212 537 54 49 49.
South African Embassy, Rabat: +212 537 70 0874.
Irish Consulate, Casablanca: +212 522 27 27 21.
New Zealand Embassy, Cairo, Egypt: +202-2461-6000.
Vaccinations/Health
No vaccinations are required to enter Morocco, although travelers should consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid. It is wise to only drink bottled water and to avoid eating uncooked meat. Rabies is present, so travelers should contact a doctor if bitten. Medical facilities are decent in all major cities but can be extremely limited in rural areas, meaning health insurance is recommended. All required medications should be taken along in their original packaging, and accompanied with a prescription from a doctor.
Getting Around Casablanca
Registered taxis can be easily hailed from just about anywhere in the city and are easily identified by their red color. There are also bigger, white taxis available. Both kinds are usually shared and the drivers may wait till the vehicle is full before setting off, or stop enroute to pick up more passengers. The white taxis can also be hired by the hour or day and many travelers choose to do this. Travelers should keep in mind that a large surcharge goes into effect later into the evening, making taxi fares much higher at night.
The Careem Taxi app is available as well.
Casablanca does have a bus system, though it is often confusing for visitors as there are many companies operating on different routes, at varying prices, and on unreliable schedules
