Out of one hundred names on the list, Forbes Middle East named Abdel El Fakir, CEO of the Moroccan National Office of Tourism (ONMT), as the 18 Top Travel and Tourism Leaders in the region.
In 2018, El Fakir became the CEO of ONMT. The government agency creates marketing and sales plans with travel agencies and airlines around the world, bringing together regional players and international partners.
It started the “Morocco Kingdom of Light” Campaign in April 2022, and as a result, Morocco received about 11 million tourists. El Fakir has a little over 29 years of experience, and he has previously worked for The Coca-Cola Company and Atlas Bottling Company.
The honorable classification included a Moroccan leader in the top 20 for the first time, with Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Groupe, at the top of the list.
“The travel and tourism industry in the Arab world has been a major contributor to the region’s economic growth and development, with the region emerging globally as a world-class destination,” said Forbes MENA.
Dubai has become a hub for tourism, and in recent years Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Abu Dhabi have also invested heavily in the sector.
Hospitality businesses, hotels, and resorts dominate the list of the most prominent leaders in the region’s travel and tourism sector in 2023 with 59 entries, followed by aviation (airlines and airports) with 31 entries.
There are eight entries this year from tourism organizations like ONMT. The list includes leaders from over 33 different countries, with Emiratis leading with 16 entries, followed by Saudis with 12 entries, and Britons with 10 entries.
The ranking system was based on the individual’s accomplishments as well as the size of the company, asset ownership, leadership position within the company, and level of influence.
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