Attracting developers with an international reputation, Morocco is taking the ‘best in class’ approach to building a series of five-start super coastal resorts aimed at the middle classes.

A flying time of 3 hours just half that of travel to Dubai which instantly puts it at an advantage for families searching for trouble-free travel time, not to mention Ryanair set to bring the wonder of 1p flights to Morocco’s 12 major regional airports.

Offering the longest season in Europe, those seeking budget winter sun holidays or decent spring golfing weather have traditionally been restricted to the Canary Islands or Southern Spain. Morocco’s tourist season is almost year-round and the new government backed Plan Azure resorts will have world class player endorsed golf courses, ideal for attracting both the winter and summer markets. Morocco is being hailed as the new Spain with better beaches and controlled development.

Morocco’s main draw is its cultural diversity from the hustle of the Medinas to the authentic nature of villages like Chefchouan but this will now sit alongside resorts like Mediterranea-Saidia , a showcase for modern Moroccan toourism with an 800-berth marina, three golf courses, 17 five-star beach clubs and a seven-kilometer boardwalk linking restaurants, clubs, cinemas and luxury shops. Buyers of property here will have to work hard to get bored with activities ranging from tennis clubs, riding clubs, water skiing, sailing, scuba diving, hunting, hiking and camel treks to name just a fraction of what’s on offer.

If doing nothing, is what you are aiming for there is sand aplenty…Morocco has over 2000 miles of white sandy beaches to choose from, many untouched and if a sun bathing patch isn’t enough head to Morocco’s eastern flank which borders the Sahara desert.

Few places can boast the opportunity to ski and sunbathe within the same day, Oukaïmeden is Morocco’s answer to a ski resort, limited at best but just an hour and a half from Marrekesh city is a haven for summer bird-watching and hiking and adds a picture postcard snow capped mountain backdrop whilst you sun yourself on the terrace.

A Morocco property purchase is as straightforward as buying in France or Spain. It is important to make sure you take independent legal advice and remember despite the agent’s sales patter that “properties are selling like hotcakes, buy now”, there will almost always be another similar opportunity so don’t fall into the trap of being pressured to buy there and then.

Arabic and French are the preferred languages in Morocco so it is useful if you can speak a little but Spanish & English are also widely spoken. The legal system in Morocco is based on the familiar conveyancing systems of France and Spain which bodes well for future resale prospects