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Sustainability
The Ecolodge has been founded from its inception on a sustainable concept that is ecological, heritage-focused, and ethical. Various proactive measures help preserve the resources of this vulnerable region of Morocco. The ecolodge is located within a unique protected area, the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve (RBA), an ecological and cultural heritage site recognized by UNESCO.
The ecolodge's garden is based on permaculture techniques which allow us to enjoy several organic foods, olive trees, fruit trees, citrus trees, argan trees, a medicinal and aromatic plant garden... This has created a unique ecosystem of birds, butterflies, hedgehogs that enjoy the coolness of the garden.
We also have a recruitment policy based on training and qualifying local people, particularly women. In this way, we support local communities.
Engagement
Our expertise in ecological practices and sustainable development allows us to be in a process of constantly improving our performance in terms of resource preservation.
We also participate in the preservation of this endemic tree, the argan tree, whose forest represents a natural barrier to the advance of the Sahara Desert.

Our environmental policy criteria include: water, energy, waste, purchasing policy, landscape integration and environmental awareness.
Key environmental preservation measures implemented at the ecolodge:
Water: A unique phytoremediation plant in southern Morocco: built in collaboration with the University of Agadir
Energy: Use of ETR, renewable energy technologies for electricity and water heaters.
Waste management: Implementation of the 3Rs rule: reduce, reuse, recycle, recover.
Purchasing policy: Sourcing from small producers and cooperatives. Climate-friendly menus with a limited carbon footprint.
Landscape integration: traditional architecture using local materials and the first hotel with a permaculture garden in Morocco.
Environmental awareness: Raising awareness among everyone about environmental preservation and agro-ecology.
A permaculture garden for a sustainable ecolodge
Atlas Kasbah is a unique permaculture project in Morocco. Since the ecolodge's creation in 2009, international permaculture specialists have participated in developing a garden based on native plants using techniques such as companion planting. The result is a magnificent vegetable garden, a garden filled with aromatic and medicinal plants, orchards, and argan trees.
Experts such as A. Drew and M. Connoley helped to increase the garden's yield through natural permaculture techniques. They were supported by the team of Amazigh (Berber) gardeners.
The result is clear: we are able to produce many organic varieties with exceptional flavors.
Living ecosystem and ecological irrigation at Atlas Kasbah
The ecosystem created by the permaculture garden has attracted several species of birds. They come to nest in the trees around the Kasbah and serenade those enjoying the ecolodge's many terraces with their songs.
Birds also benefit from the water produced by Atlas Kasbah's ingenious phytoremediation system, unique in Morocco. The system relies not only on water purification by plants but also on filtration using the sun's UV rays. Irrigation of the organic garden is thus optimized, which is crucial in a country with such abundant sunshine.
Ecolodge Trophies
In recognition of its numerous initiatives for sustainable development in Morocco, the Atlas Kasbah ecolodge has received several awards, notably the Gold Medal at the 2015 World Responsible Tourism Awards in London, competing against more than 600 eco-friendly hotels. Furthermore, it is the first French-speaking accommodation establishment internationally to have received such an award.
OTHER TROPHIES WINNERED BY THE ECOLODGE
2016: COP22 Tourism and Climate Trophy as part of the reduction of greenhouse gases.
2012: Heritage and Creation Tribute Trophy for the promotion of Morocco's heritage.
2011: ALM Ecology Trophy, obtained against the American giant Dell.
2010: Nominated as one of the 6 best responsible tourism projects internationally by the ITB Berlin Responsible Tourism Network.
2009: National Responsible Tourism Trophy by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism and Responsible Tourism Certificate from the Canadian firm Ecoplannet.
2009: International Green Key Ecolabel.
Definition of permaculture
Permaculture is an agricultural system based on sustainable development. It consists of organic farming techniques that adapt to the terrain, soil, sunlight, and water resources of the environment where they are implemented.
It respects the environment and human beings since this type of agriculture offers fresh and healthy products.
What is the definition of an ecolodge?
An ecolodge is an accommodation establishment in the form of a hotel, guesthouse, riad, or cottage, but with a personal touch and founded on sustainable development. The philosophy of an ecolodge is multifaceted: it aims to boost the local economy, support indigenous communities, protect the environment, and promote local heritage.
The measures taken must be communicated to visitors, the team and the residents, in order to raise awareness among all stakeholders of the principles of sustainable development.
Why go on holiday to an ecolodge?
Spending your holidays in an ecolodge is an opportunity to show your commitment to the planet and humanity, your desire to participate in the development of the region, to want to learn and be aware of environmental protection, to want to discover the heritage of the place visited and to participate directly in supporting the local economy, the solidarity economy to support local people and especially women.
It is also about opting for a lifestyle in harmony with nature.

When you travel as a family to an ecolodge, you raise children's awareness of respect, ethics and ecology while offering them enriching holidays and many recreational activities.
Ethical tourism
Since 2009, the Atlas Kasbah ecolodge has been involved in the social and socio-economic development of the hinterland of Agadir, whether within associations such as: the N'Aït Maten association of the village of Tighanimine Elbaz, the Tourism and Environment Messguina association, or within agricultural cooperatives.
Some actions of the Atlas Kasbah ecolodge

- FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY:
The ecolodge provides a livelihood for more than fifty families, directly or indirectly;
- SOLIDARITY SHELVES:
Atlas Kasbah offers a sales outlet for local products to cooperatives in the region in partnership with the German cooperation organization (GIZ) and the High Commission for Water and Forests and the fight against desertification;
- FIGHTING WOMEN'S PRECARITY:
The ecolodge employs several Amazigh women from the surrounding villages. They have been trained to ensure high quality standards. The ecolodge's purchasing policy also prioritizes products from women's associations and cooperatives.
- Raising awareness of sustainable development in Agadir:
Atlas Kasbah has contributed to the organization of environmental days, clean-up campaigns and waste management, to hosting local associations and supporting their actions for the benefit of the entire community…;
- SCHOOLING CAMPAIGN:
Atlas Kasbah supported the purchase of a school bus for students from the surrounding villages so they could continue their schooling at the secondary school in the nearest town. The ecolodge also created a library in the Kasbah for the village children and supports several local schools…
Ecolodge Partners
