Addressing the parliament during a session on tourism policy, Akhannouch emphasized that the government has always believed that the success of any economic sector does not solely depend on infrastructure or strategic plans but primarily hinges on investment in human capital, which remains the driving force of genuine development, particularly in a vital sector like tourism.
"We have made the development of human resources a key pillar of the strategic tourism roadmap, aiming to create a new generation of professionals capable of propelling the sector to new heights," he specified.
According to him, a landmark initiative in this direction will be launched in July 2024, aimed at certifying the skills of tourism workers. The program targets over 7,500 participants by 2026, aiming to enhance service quality and boost professionalism across the sector.
Akhannouch highlighted that the government has placed significant emphasis on training, recognizing its pivotal role in developing skills. He announced innovative programs such as the "Horizons of Excellence" initiative, which aims to upgrade 12 hospitality training institutions to international standards through a model partnership between the public and private sectors.
He also mentioned the launch of a program dedicated to training highly qualified professionals, targeting 9,000 specialized technicians, along with a continuing education program for excellence, which will offer training opportunities to more than 8,000 beneficiaries.
Akhannouch noted that the government is particularly focused on promoting investment in the tourism sector through initiatives such as the "GO SIYAHA" program, which aims to boost sector dynamics and enhance the competitiveness of tourism enterprises. A budget of 720 million dirhams has been allocated to this program, targeting 1,700 companies between 2023 and 2026.
On the subject of investment, the Prime Minister highlighted the efforts of the National Investment Commission to support tourism projects. He pointed to the enthusiasm of investors in the tourism sector, including international conglomerates that have chosen the Essaouira Mogador resort as a key investment destination, with a value of 2.3 billion dirhams, alongside other projects across various regions of the Kingdom.
Akhannouch stressed that the decision of various international brands to invest in the Moroccan tourism sector is no coincidence but a strategic choice, given the country's significant advantages, including stability, security, modern infrastructure, the new investment charter, and the Mohammed VI Investment Fund, designed to revitalize the Moroccan economy by attracting private capital and supporting strategic sectors like tourism.
The Moroccan official also addressed the launch of various programs aimed at attracting investments in the tourism sector, featuring a bank of tourism projects with over 200 classifications tailored to the potential of each region in the Kingdom. This initiative enables investors to seize available opportunities and efficiently implement their projects.
The government’s focus on the tourism sector has positively reinforced investor confidence in the opportunities available to develop national tourism. As a result, the sector is projected to attract over 8 billion dirhams in investments in 2024, primarily aimed at increasing accommodation capacity and improving tourism services, Akhannouch concluded.