Mohamed Azim has been educating and entertaining visitors to Morocco for 20 years with travel companies such as Ambercrombie & Kent, Thomas Cook, Thomson and Exodus. Now an official guide of the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism, he takes private groups on customized tours, from trips to the market to shore excursions.

How did you make the transition to becoming a Morocco guide?

I used to be a teacher and I have found that guiding is as interesting as teaching. I like meeting different people and introducing my country to visitors. Morocco is a beautiful destination that has an old history, good climate, rich culture and delicious cuisine.

What types of tours do you specialize in?

I am specialized in history, architecture, culture, cooking, spiritualism, safaris (and) trekking. I do different tours and each one has something special.

Do you have a certain style of guiding?

I always try to be on time (and) to be dressed well. I wear my jellaba and my badge as an official guide so that people can recognize me. I like to start my tours with a smile by telling a joke. A good guide should have a good sense of humour. I also try to stick to the subject of the tour given. I treat all subjects from their historical and cultural point of view without giving my opinion (about) religions and politics.

What does a typical day look like for you?

One when I see my guests happy and feel that they have enjoyed the tour.

What’s the best part of your job?

When I find myself correcting the wrong news and prejudices that some travelers might have about my country and helping them to enjoy a real and tangible guiding experience.

What’s the most challenging?

The big challenge that we encounter in Morocco is that of illegal guides. A lot of them use false licenses and badges. They not only hustle tourists but spoil the job as a whole.

Can you tell our readers the benefits of hiring a guide?

The traveler saves time. By saving time he will see more. The guide will protect him from all kind of hustles. … The guide makes contact between the traveler and local people easier.

In your view, what makes a good tour guide?

A good guide will be defined by his clients (so) he has to do his best to serve his clients well.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

At university we studied British history, literature and civilization. This has fascinated me, so I would choose London because of its old castles and churches.

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