Dr. Hossam Badrawi Official Website
Thank you Malta
By Hossam Badrawi
The Mediterranean Tourism Foundation invited me last week
to a unique conference and its management style in the island of Malta.
The forum included 1500 participants from 28 countries, knowing that Malta has a population of half a million people and is visited by four million tourists, eight times the number of residents!!
The Forum is a platform for promoting sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean countries, held annually on this beautiful island, bringing together stakeholders from governments, the private sector, academia and local communities.
In a special session, I received an honorary award from Her Excellency Mariam Spiriti Debono, President of Malta, who was introduced with these words:
“In honor of Dr. Hossam Badrawi’s contributions and impact in the cross-border education and hospitality environment, we present him with this award. He is a leader with vision and impact across borders, whose contributions have left an indelible mark on his country and the region.
As a distinguished physician, politician and thinker, Dr. Badrawi embodies a unique combination of experience and vision. Over the years, he has become a leading voice in education reform, always seeking to align education with the changing demands of society and the economy.
Today we celebrate one of his main areas of interest: the vital role of education in empowering the hospitality industry across borders and in the Mediterranean region.”
What impressed me in this meeting was the integration of culture and art for the peoples of The Mediterranean in presentation and dialogue. As for my personal and national pride, it was in its place one of the most important figures in this forum, Hisham Zaazou, the former Egyptian Minister of Tourism, and his ability to network experts, and the respect of everyone for him from all nationalities. I was enriched and delighted by his influential presence, and his positive relationships that raise Egypt’s head high with his simplicity, breadth of knowledge and science, and his great representation of his country. The goal of the meeting was to promote sustainable tourism and call for tourism that preserves cultural heritage, protects the environment, and supports local economies while strengthening regional cooperation and encouraging partnerships between Mediterranean countries to develop unified strategies and joint initiatives. The dialogues highlighted the diversity of peoples and highlighted the rich history, natural beauty and unique cultures of the region to attract global attention.
The meeting focused on the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean as a cradle of civilizations, with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historic cities and monuments, and on ecotourism and investing in the region’s natural landscapes – such as coasts, islands and biodiversity – in sustainable tourism.
The conference also discussed digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence, virtual reality and data-driven tools to modernize and personalize the tourism experience.
My intervention focused on education as the foundation of a hospitable society, including building a culture of hospitality and empowering service providers at all levels, promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility and strengthening community engagement.
Hospitality is not just about receiving tourists in hotels or resorts; it is about creating an environment where visitors feel valued, respected and appreciated for the country.
This is a community effort that requires the collaboration of individuals, businesses and communities.
Education is key to developing this approach and ensuring that every member of society understands their role in the success of attracting tourists.
Education contributes to building a culture of hospitality and promoting cultural pride and awareness. When citizens learn about their country’s history, traditions and heritage, they become more proud and authentic in presenting these aspects to visitors.
Teaching students the value of local customs, languages and the importance of embracing diversity, while developing programs that encourage residents to participate in cultural festivals and guide tourists, is crucial to the future of tourism in Egypt. By instilling these values from an early age, education helps build a society where hospitality is everyone’s responsibility.
The hospitality sector is not limited to hotels and restaurants only; It includes transportation services, tour guides, retail staff, and even health care workers who may interact with tourists. Therefore, training young people in developing soft skills: such as effective communication, problem solving, and empathy is part of building a country’s readiness for tourism communication. Language education and providing a basic level of proficiency in the languages spoken by tourists makes communication with visitors attractive and effective.
Professional standards and ensuring that service providers understand international standards related to etiquette, cleanliness, and customer care are an essential part of building this culture in the conscience.
When these elements are focused, all interactions of citizens with visitors become an opportunity to leave a positive impression and transform fleeting encounters into unforgettable experiences.
Sustainability plays a crucial role in modern hospitality and education contributes to training individuals and communities on how to achieve a balance between tourism and preserving the environment at the same time. Topics on ecotourism and the importance of preserving natural resources such as beaches, coral reefs, and forests must be included in schools and institutes,
Initiatives for vocational training programs and teaching sustainable practices in tourism businesses such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, and environmentally friendly construction must be disseminated.
Public awareness campaigns must be disseminated and residents must be encouraged to participate in initiatives to protect the environment and support tourism.
Education enables citizens to learn about opportunities in the hospitality sector and equips them with the skills to seize them. Examples of this are many, such as types of entrepreneurial education aimed at training individuals to start tourism projects such as gift shops Souvenirs, food stalls, or tour services. A thriving hospitality sector requires the participation of all segments of society, including women, youth, and marginalized groups. Education ensures that no one is left behind by providing equal training and employment opportunities.
Education contributes to the global reputation of nations. Skilled and trained professionals act as ambassadors for their country, showcasing its values, culture and hospitality, whether it is a hotel manager providing service and leading work groups or a local craftsman showcasing his or her skills. We need to understand how educated individuals leave lasting impressions, boosting tourism and attracting repeat visitors. When education is aligned with the needs of the hospitality industry, the community becomes a cohesive force that supports tourism. From students learning the basics of cultural pride to professionals excelling in customer service, each individual contributes to the nation’s image as a welcoming and vibrant destination. Hospitality is more than just an industry; It is a way of life that education and media can instill in all segments of society.
The hospitality sector in Egypt is not only a source of national pride, but it is the lifeblood of our national economy, contributing significantly to the GDP and providing countless job opportunities.
My vision for Egypt is clear: to achieve its position as a leader in the hospitality sector, we must invest in human capital, which is our sustainable strength for the future. To achieve this, education must be at the heart of all Egyptian policies.
I believe that equipping individuals with the skills, knowledge and balanced attitudes can make Egypt a global benchmark for excellence in hospitality and tourism.
Our vision must go beyond education to encompass the broader concept of sustainability—economic, environmental and social. I envision training programs that teach future professionals not only how to meet the demands of the sector, but also how to lead the shift toward green practices.
By promoting sustainable tourism, Egypt can cement its position as a global leader while protecting its natural and cultural heritage.
A critical aspect of my work is advocating for strong policies that link education to economic development. As a policymaker, I understand that achieving these goals requires clear strategies and unwavering commitment, whether through public-private partnerships or government-backed initiatives. I strongly believe that education reform can be a catalyst for sustainable change.
What makes this vision particularly inspiring is its potential to scale up to Beyond Egypt, countries bordering the Mediterranean and the Red Sea face similar challenges. Egypt’s success can serve as a model for integrating education into this industry. This is not just a national issue—it is a regional opportunity for growth and cooperation. I remind everyone that education is more than just a means of employment—it is the foundation for building better societies and stronger economies. Through our tireless efforts, we can light a path to a future where education enables individuals to create their own opportunities and realize their hopes and dreams. At the end of my article, I cannot fail to mention the desire of the organizers of this meeting, which included 1,500 representatives from all countries of the world, to hold their next conference in Egypt. We envisioned the Grand Egyptian Museum as the meeting place, along with a visit to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which sparked the imagination and passion of the attendees.
