Held in Morocco, the event attracted wide industry participation and focused on the urgent need to empower youth through education, training, and career development in tourism and hospitality. Organized under the theme “The Future of Training and Careers in Hospitality,” the initiative showcased AMFORHT’s commitment to addressing skills gaps and creating opportunities in the sector.
AMFORHT’s vision in action
With over 115 in-person attendees—more than half of whom were students—and around 50 additional participants joining via Zoom, the event was both inclusive and future-focused. The presence of five industry federation presidents reflected the strong institutional support behind the initiative. National television coverage on 2M, Morocco’s leading channel, brought the event to a broader audience, airing a segment the same evening at 8:30 p.m.
AMFORHT President Abdou Belgat and Honorary President and Secretary General Francesco Frangialli both delivered inspiring addresses highlighting AMFORHT’s forward-looking strategy. Their speeches emphasized the organization’s dedication to building strong, sustainable career pathways for youth in the hospitality and tourism industries. They tackled the critical importance of retaining talent, anticipating industry shifts, and training future leaders.
Frangialli also shared a compelling global overview of the tourism industry, analyzing trends such as post-pandemic recovery, digital transformation, and labor shortages. His keynote speech provided a clear roadmap for what hospitality training must look like in the years ahead—an effort fully aligned with AMFORHT’s mission.
Why this matters for Morocco
This event arrives at a pivotal time for Morocco, a country preparing to host major international events. AMFORHT stressed that to meet these upcoming opportunities, Morocco must invest in its people—attracting, educating, and retaining a skilled and passionate workforce. AMFORHT is actively contributing to this mission by connecting education with employment and strengthening the bridge between academic institutions and the tourism industry.
As part of its broader mandate, AMFORHT promotes global cooperation, best practice sharing, and institutional support to ensure hospitality education keeps pace with international standards. This event is just one example of how AMFORHT turns strategy into real-world impact.
Gratitude and resources
AMFORHT extends its sincere thanks to CNT President Hamid Bentahar for his leadership and collaboration. Special appreciation also goes to Francesco Frangialli for his continued dedication to AMFORHT’s mission and strategic insights.
To explore more about the event:
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2M Report: Watch here
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Video Highlights: Watch clip
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About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
