Hamid Bentahar: A Bright Future for Moroccan Tourism Shaped by Leadership

Rabat – In a spectacular ceremony on January 16 in Rabat, the inaugural Morocco Tourism Awards (MTA) recognized excellence in the Moroccan tourism sector. Hamid Bentahar, President of the National Tourism Confederation and Accor Management Morocco, stood out as the star of the evening, winning the esteemed title of Tourism Leader of the Year.

Organized by Tourisma Post and backed by various media partners, the MTA’s first edition unfolded as a night of acknowledging outstanding contributions to the tourism industry. The nomination process, overseen by journalists and media executives, emphasized fairness and impartial evaluation.

Ahlam Jebbar, founder of Tourisma Post, stressed the importance of neutrality in her opening speech, highlighting the challenges of maintaining objectivity in selecting deserving winners.

Graced by André Azoulay, Advisor to King Mohammed VI, the event honored individuals, destinations, and institutions that showcased unparalleled creativity and dedication to promoting Moroccan hospitality throughout 2023.

Hamid Bentahar, a Symbol of Leadership

Hamid Bentahar emerged as the winner of the “Leader of Tourism of the Year” award, the most prestigious among the 14 prizes presented during the ceremony. This recognition applauded his leadership roles as President of the National Tourism Confederation and President of Accor Management Morocco, acknowledging his skills in team mobilization and talent nurturing within the dynamic tourism sector.

In his acceptance speech, Bentahar expressed gratitude and hope, characterizing 2023 as an exceptional year. He acknowledged the collective efforts that have made the tourism sector a significant contributor to job creation, a beacon of hope, and a driver for the sustainable development of the country.

A native of El Jadida, Morocco, Hamid Bentahar has forged an outstanding path in the world of luxury hospitality, both nationally and internationally. With a three-decade career in the international luxury hospitality sector, he has played a crucial role in the development of the Accor hotel group in Africa and the Indian Ocean.

Bentahar’s journey includes key positions such as Vice-President of Operations at Accor-Hotel Morocco and Vice-President of Luxury and Upscale Operations for Africa and the Indian Ocean. Since 2008, he has held the pivotal role of President of the Marrakech Regional Tourism Council (CRT).

Knighthood and Recognition

In 2016, Hamid Bentahar received the esteemed Legion of Honor from France in recognition of his commitment to the development of the tourism industry in Morocco and beyond. The ceremony, held at the Sofitel in Marrakech, was attended by Christian Cambon, President of the France-Morocco Friendship Group, and Secretary of the French Senate, along with Bariza Khiari, Senator of Paris and Vice-President of the France-Morocco Friendship Group.

2023: A Year of Moroccan Resilience

Reflecting on the challenges faced by Moroccan tourism in 2023, Bentahar highlighted the exceptional nature of the year despite global adversities. He commended the resilience demonstrated by the Moroccan tourism sector and its professionals, achieving record-breaking results compared to 2019, a landmark year for Moroccan tourism.

Attributing this success to Morocco’s mobilization and the visionary leadership of King Mohammed VI, Bentahar expressed gratitude for the collective efforts that transformed the sector into a reliable creator of employment and a key driver for sustainable development in Morocco.

Hamid Bentahar’s recognition as Tourism Leader of the Year not only validates his individual achievements but symbolizes the broader success of the Moroccan tourism industry. In an interview with Morocco World News, he praised the commendable resilience of the Moroccan hospitality sector during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent earthquake in Al Haouz.

He acknowledged the vital role played by the media in showcasing the industry’s resilience and success. Despite daunting challenges, Bentahar argued that the outstanding results achieved by the Moroccan tourism sector in 2023 indicate room for optimism.

Pointing to major upcoming events, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup, Bentahar illustrated that the horizon for Moroccan hospitality is particularly bright and promising. As the sector navigates challenges with resilience, Moroccan tourism is poised to emerge stronger, setting a high standard for continued excellence and innovation.

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