Q-When did you start with Dar Azawad?
A-Dar Azawad has been operating for seven years. We were the first luxury 5 star guest house to be installed in the Moroccan desert. When we started there was no such tourism establishment of its kind in the desert. We are very proud to be the first to have developed a region which is so mythical and traditional. It’s a very beautiful region designated to a luxury five star clientele who come to discover an authentic desert experience.

Q-Where are you situated?
A-We are situated in M’Hamid near Zagora. Our clients usually arrive in Marrakech and Ourazazate. Our travel agency organises trips from Marrakech to M’Hamid with some halts along the way, which gives our clients the opportunity to discover new tourist sites and enjoy the trip. Our travel agency has different ways of transport, mainly 4X4 and helicopters which pick clients up from La Mamounia and other 5 star hotels.

Q-How many Rooms does your guest house contain?
A-Our guest house has fifteen suites and rooms, a restaurant, a swimming pool, some saloons and a very beautiful garden. We also have tents which are very well equipped with bathrooms and showers. But tents are destined to disappear because most of our clients prefer to have their own individual bungalows. We had a special visit from the King and Queen of Spain in 2009 and we were recommended to them by HM King Mohammed VI. We are very honoured by this visit and I believe we now have a very good reputation in the tourism market.

Q-Do you organise trips in the desert for your clients?
A-Yes of course. Our team of guides are mainly local residents and we frequently organise short excursions in the desert by 4X4 cars or on foot. The excursions' aim is to enable our clients discover the richness of the desert and its mythical charm. We particularly take them to lakes and rivers surrounding the region. We recommend that clients spend at least two nights with us in the desert.

Q-How do you reach your clients?
A-We reach our clients through the internet, but we also have some representatives all over the world who are specialised in luxury business. Recently we have taken part in the Pure Life Salon in Marrakech and we have developed partnerships with different British and American travel agencies. When we started most of our clients were French, but now the clients we receive are mostly Anglophone, mainly British and Americans. This is due to the development in infrastructure and the services we provide such as Spa and Hammams.