Several women awarded at 1st edition of Visit Marrakech Trophy

MARRAKECH - The Marrakech-Safi Regional Tourism Council, in partnership with the Moroccan National Tourist Office organized Friday the first Edition of Visit Marrakech Trophy at the Four Seasons hotel in the ochre city.

The ceremony celebrated all the women and men who have greatly contributed to the promotion of the Marrakech region.

Several tourism industry professionals, promoters, entrepreneurs, investors and digital content creators were awarded for their work, achievements and creativity in boosting tourism and the image of the number one destination in Morocco.

“Marrakech is fulfilled by its human capital which represents its strongest asset. The Visit Marrakech Trophy ceremony is a consecration for professionals in the tourism industry; women and men who work tirelessly to make Marrakech more beautiful in the eyes of the world,” said Hamid Bentahar, President of the Regional Council of Tourism Marrakech and Region.

“We are witnesses to the challenges taken up by these players who have created attractive offers to sustainably improve their approaches to new experiences,” said Bentahar.

“This ecosystem generally contributes to the economic and social development of our region, and more particularly to the growth of the tourist industry. The quality of the reception infrastructures and the know-how of the Marrakchi operators have enabled Marrakech & Region to appear at the head of the pack of African destinations and among the ‘Top Ten’ of Mediterranean destinations,” he added.

“Marrakech region represents more than 40 percent of Morocco’s tourism,” said Fatima-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy.

“We have great ambitions. Tourism in Morocco cannot take off without Marrakech’s strong contribution,” she said.

“I hope that in the next three years we will be able to build together tourism of tomorrow and work together to make Morocco one of the world’s best tourist destinations,” she added.

Several women were awarded for their achievements and contribution to tourism in the Marrakech region, including Élisabeth Bauchet-Bouhlal, Khalida Hilm and Cantal Bakker.

Élisabeth Bauchet-Bouhlal, CEO of the five-star Es Saadi MGardens & Resort, was awarded for her contribution to the luxury tourism sector.

“It has been 56 years. You’re going to tell me it’s a little, but Marrakech was a little different at time,” said Bauchet-Bouhlal.

“I would like to seek more women involved in the tourism sector,” she added.

Professional tourist guide Khalida Hilm said it was a real privilege to have had this distinction which would have never happened without the support of her colleagues and partners in the tourist sector.

“Morocco is full of hidden treasures, spectacular landscapes, delicious cooking and authentic traditions which deserve to be discovered by everybody,” she said.

Hilm had the privilege of introducing Marrakech to Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark during her visit in 1989 and to the royal members of some Gulf countries as well as other personalities.

“It is with passion that I strive every day to guide visitors to our country,” she added.

Cantal Bakker is the founder of Pikala Bikes, a socio-economic concept that uses the bicycle to educate and employ the local youth in the tourism and technique sector.

She said she was honoured to be recognised for her concept and proud of having an amazing young team that is working to promote tourism in Marrakech and contribute to a cleaner city.

“The trophy is a wonderful recognition to Pikala and very important for me as a person coming from the Netherlands and starting something in Marrakech,” Bakker told Middle East Online.

“I hope that this trophy might help us in our endeavour as we planning to expand our concept to Essaouira, Agadir and Rabat,” she added.

The renowned Chef Moha was awarded for his promotion of the Moroccan cuisine worldwide. Famous in Morocco for being part of the emblematic jury of the culinary talent TV show MasterChef since 2016, Moha Fedal has given the North African Kingdom's cuisine one of the best showcases by seducing the taste buds of many personalities, including many politicians, queens and kings as well as celebrities, such as Oliver Stone and Francis Ford Coppola.

“The trophy is the culmination of 38 years of experience. This trophy of the best restaurant and the best chef had done me very proud,” Chef Moha told Middle East Online.

“All what I’m doing and will do is to continue to promote the Moroccan cuisine worldwide until reaches its prime,” said the owner of Dar Moha restaurant in Marrakech.

Bentahar said that the first edition of the Visit Marrakech Trophy has been very appreciated among the professionals of the tourism sector.

“We hope we can further develop this culture of gratitude and recognise all the people who deserve it,” Bentahar told Middle East Online.

“The objective of the event was to thank all the stakeholders who contributed to the region’s tourism and celebrate the journey that had made Marrakech one of the most popular destinations in the world,” he concluded.

The Marrakech-Safi region has a very important tourist potential, confirming its national and African leadership, as it totals more than 40% of the national tourist offer.