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Morocco World
6 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Imad Barrakad: The Engineer Behind Morocco's Tourism Renaissance
Marrakech – Imad Barrakad, Director General of the Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT), has secured a prestigious spot in Forbes Middle East's Top 100 Travel and Tourism Leaders. Ranked 28th on the influential list, Barrakad stands among the region's most impactful tourism executives. His placement confirms Morocco's growing prominence – welcoming 17.4 million visitors in 2024 and outpacing Egypt to become Africa's top destination – and he was recognized alongside fellow Moroccans Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Adel El Fakir, and Abdelhamid Addou. This latest Forbes Middle East ranking evaluates leaders across airlines, airports, hospitality, destinations, and the public sector. Selection criteria include business size, sector impact, asset ownership, executive influence, notable achievements during 2024-2025, and professional experience. Barrakad's inclusion reflects his significant contributions to Morocco's tourism investment landscape since taking SMIT's helm in 2011. Established in 2007, the agency serves as the government's dedicated entity for tourism investment and plays a critical role in developing investments and designing tourism products across the country. In April, SMIT strengthened its position through strategic partnerships with Attijariwafa Bank and TAMWILCOM, focusing particularly on supporting the digital transformation of Morocco's tourism sector. Under Barrakad's leadership, SMIT has supported over 800 hotels to accelerate the industry's post-pandemic recovery between 2023 and 2024. From energy to tourism: An unexpected career trajectory Born on December 16, 1969, in Ksar El Kébir, Barrakad's path to tourism leadership was hardly predictable. With an engineering background and a postgraduate diploma in project management, he began his career in 1994 at CDER in renewable energy and energy efficiency services. His professional journey continued at the Ministry of Interior's General Directorate of Local Authorities, where he managed a rural electrification project under French cooperation. After seven years there, Barrakad joined the National Office of Electricity (ONE) in 2000, handling cooperation with utilities and local authorities. At ONE, he managed relationships with various ministerial departments, particularly tourism, and was involved with the Plan Azur and Plan Biladi initiatives. His competence led to promotions, first as Rabat Regional Director in 2006 and later as Commercial and Marketing Director in 2009. In 2011, Barrakad was appointed to lead SMIT, marking the true beginning of his tourism sector adventure. Colleagues in the tourism industry appreciate him for his availability, good humor, and relational ease – qualities essential for successful negotiations in the complex tourism development landscape. Driving Morocco's tourism innovation and investment Under Barrakad's direction, SMIT has been instrumental in implementing Morocco's tourism vision. The agency played a key role in the post-pandemic tourism recovery, supporting businesses to improve service quality and implementing government support measures that saved companies and preserved jobs. SMIT is currently managing support for reconstruction and upgrading of tourism accommodations affected by the Al Haouz earthquake. This assistance enables impacted establishments to complete renovation work and resume operations. The agency's efforts have contributed to Morocco's record-breaking tourism performance. The country has achieved several historic milestones, including hosting 14.5 million tourists in 2023 and 8.9 million visitors in the first half of this year – a 19% increase over the same period in 2024. Barrakad is now focusing on technological innovation as a key driver for tourism investment. In January, SMIT co-organized an international conference on technological innovation and tourism investment in Marrakech, showcasing how digital technologies can identify new investment opportunities in the sector. The agency is particularly interested in empowering innovative startups to establish themselves in the increasingly competitive market. Though startups currently have a limited impact, Barrakad aims to increase their visibility through an approach combining technology and strategic partnerships. To support this initiative, authorities are offering incentives to young startup founders, including SMIT's incubation program with a budget of MAD 180 million ($18 million), Moukawala Siyahia with MAD 600 million ($60 million), and Go Siyaha with MAD 720 million ($72 million). The targeted startups include those specializing in leisure gaming, such as virtual and augmented reality, which can reconstruct the architecture of ruined monuments to enhance visitor experiences. Others focus on electronic payment security platforms that improve travel preparation and visitor stays. Barrakad expects these startups to reach critical mass by 2026, with nationwide implementation by 2030, helping Morocco achieve its goal of 26 million tourist arrivals by the end of the decade. Embracing green tourism as the next frontier SMIT's latest initiative focuses on sustainable tourism development. The agency will host a high-level forum on September 24 in Ifrane, exploring 'Green Tourism' perspectives in Morocco. The event will bring together over 200 Moroccan and international decision-makers, including ministers, investors, institutional representatives, experts, and local operators. The conference aims to showcase successful sustainable tourism experiences, promote investment opportunities in ecotourism, and encourage the emergence of small businesses in this sector. It will also strengthen synergies between tourism investments, environmental preservation, natural space enhancement, and sustainable agriculture initiatives. This green tourism push follows a February agreement between SMIT, the Regional Investment Center of Fès-Meknès, and the National Agency for Water and Forests. The agencies have designed an integrated development program for Ifrane National Park, one of Morocco's richest national parks in terms of natural and tourism potential. The program aims to stimulate tourism investment through public actions that enhance ecosystem attractiveness while positively impacting socioeconomic development. It includes eight tourism clusters focused on rejuvenation, with a total budget of MAD 734 million ($73.4 million), including MAD 641 million ($64.1 million) in public funding. SMIT has launched a call for interest to select candidates wishing to invest in ecotourism projects in Ifrane National Park, offering technical and financial support of up to MAD 500,000 ($50,000) per project to approximately twenty project developers. Tags: Forbes Middle East rankingsImad BarrakadTourism in Morocco
India Today
27-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
AI is stepping in to help reunite missing elderly with families; here's all you need to know
A new AI-powered initiative aimed at helping families reconnect with missing senior citizens was launched this week at the SMIT Shelter for Senior Citizens in Thane. The pilot Programme, part of a broader humanitarian effort called Project Chetna, introduces Milaap Setu- a platform that uses facial recognition technology to match displaced elderly individuals, particularly those with dementia, with their loved IS THE PROBLEM STATEMENT?India reports over 100,000 missing persons annually, a significant number of whom are elderly and end up in shelters without any way of reconnecting with their families. Additionally, nearly 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are currently living with dementia, further complicating identification faces a growing public health and humanitarian challenge as its elderly population continues to rise. Currently, an estimated 8.8 million Indians over the age of 60 live with dementia, and by 2050, this number is expected to surge to over 11 million. Alzheimer's alone affects roughly one in nine people aged 65 and older. In a country where over 2.6 crore citizens live with some form of disability, and more than 1 lakh children are reported missing, the need for accessible and scalable solutions to track and reunite missing persons is urgent. India also ranks as the second-highest country in the world in terms of individuals suffering from dementia, underscoring the critical importance of initiatives that combine technology and compassion to bridge this TESTIMONIES:advertisement The Milaap Setu system is designed to simplify the reunification process. Shelters can upload photos and minimal information of residents, while families searching for missing members can submit photographs on a centralized portal. The system's AI engine then scans for potential matches using facial recognition technology."My child and I wear this because we tend to forget things easily every half an hour; We forget everything. By wearing this QR pendant, even if we can't remember anything, anyone who sees it can help guide us back to our home." an old lady who wear the pendent along with her mentally disabled child. A mother who wears the pendent along with her son. "This was truly the need of the hour. We're deeply grateful to the Project Chetna team for giving us renewed hope and a sense of security for our child's future," said one of the parents. One of the children with a learning disability received a QR pendant from Project Chetna. 'Im very happy today, with the help of Milaap setu we will be able to reunite many (mata ji) old ladies suffering from dementia and alzheimer, from our shelter' says Yojana, founder of SMIT old age shelter in Thane, goal is to reduce the time, emotional distress, and cost traditionally involved in such searches by creating a unified, AI-enabled national database of missing elderly citizens. Another child with a disability received the QR pendant. 'While AI is generating billions in business, we're using it to bring dignity and hope to families,' said Akshay Ridlan, founder of the Milaap Setu initiative. 'This platform serves as a bridge to reconnect people who would otherwise be lost to the system.'"My child used to go missing frequently. I'm truly grateful for this pendant. It has made a huge difference and brought us immense relief," father of a child with learning disability. Father of a child with a learning disability. Shelters across India are being encouraged to register on the Milaap Setu portal, which is free and easy to use. Families of missing elderly individuals can also upload photographs directly to the platform. Project Chetna is also calling for support and collaboration from NGOs, tech companies, and government bodies to help expand the reach and impact of this initiative.- Ends
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Salvage operation of 'cursed' Bayesian super yacht halted after diver, 39, is killed while horrified colleagues watch on CCTV
Investigators have halted the £20 million salvage operation of tech tycoon Mike Lynch's doomed superyacht Bayesian after a diver involved was tragically killed. Rob Huijben, 39, died as he worked to remove a boom hinge from Bayesian's trademark 237ft mast at a depth of 160ft as preparatory work for the lift began on Friday. The incident was captured on CCTV by colleagues working on the surface in a support vessel and the Dutchman's body was later recovered by a fellow diver and taken ashore. Locals in Porticello near Palermo on the Italian island of Sicily were quick to say the Bayesian was 'cursed' pointing out it was now the eighth death connected to it. The £30 million yacht went down last August after being hit by a freak storm and Mr Lynch drowned along with his daughter Hannah, 18, and five others. Mr Huijben was part of the Dutch based SMIT salvage team and had only just arrived on site when the accident happened. A local prosecutor in nearby Termini Imerese immediately ordered the operation to raise the 184ft Bayesian to stop, pending a full investigation into how the accident happened. It had been hoped the lifting operation would begin next Sunday but because of the tragedy it has been halted, and it is not clear when it will resume. Search teams leave for the wreck site of the Bayesian this morning One of those involved in the salvage told a local newspaper: 'He and all the other divers are connected via audio and vision to the support vessel and then all of a sudden we couldn't see or hear anything.' Sources said he had initially tried to remove it with a monkey wrench but when that didn't work, he used an underwater cutting torch. Investigators are trying to establish whether there was an explosion from the torch after a build-up of gas or whether he was hit by a piece of the hinge as it came away. Yesterday in a statement TMC Marine who are overseeing the operation said: 'On site work to recover the superyacht Bayesian from the seabed off the coast of northern Sicily has been temporarily suspended at this time. 'This pause in activity is necessary for the investigations to be completed and to allow all salvage and associated teams to mourn the tragic loss of a highly respected salvage diver.' Marcus Cave, TMC Director and Head of Naval Architecture, added:'(Friday's) tragedy has been felt by all involved in this project, and the priority right now is the family of this expert, specialist diver, who was well liked and indeed loved by all involve in the project. 'This pause in operations will enable thorough investigations to be completed into this tragic accident. It will also help us to mourn and regroup. 'We are extremely saddened by (Friday's) tragedy. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. Salvage operations at sea always carry an element of risk. 'The salvage team is providing full cooperation to the authorities in their investigations.' Friday's accident happened just a day after the huge HEBO Lift 10 crane – which can raise a load of 2,220 tonnes - had arrived on site and the team said 'significant progress' had been made in recent days. With the help of support vessel HEBO Lift 2, slings will be put under the Bayesian and she will be rightened and then lifted out of the water by crane but the first part of the salvage was the removal of the mast. Officials are keen to prevent any spillage from fuel still within the yacht's tanks and booms have been set up to prevent any environmental impact. Once out of the water the Bayesian will be taken to Termini Imerese where a special 'cradle' is being constructed, and she will be placed in it so she can be examined by prosecutors and technical experts. An investigating source said they had hoped to have the Bayesian 'in the cradle and dried out enough to inspect' by the middle of June. An inquest last month at Suffolk Coroners Court heard from Simon Graves, principal investigator for the UK's Marine accident Investigation Branch. They are involved as the Bayesian was UK registered, and the Italian authorities have started a parallel criminal probe. The MAIB hoped to publish an interim report before the summer with a fuller report to follow. The Bayesian went down after it was hit by a freak storm, but Italian officials are looking whether the ship's captain and crew were partly to blame. There has been speculation portholes and doors were open allowing water to flood in, and the keel had not been lowered, which could have prevented the capsizing. Some area also pointing the blame at the Bayesian mast which will be cut in half in order to be examined before being brought to shore. Bad weather had been expected but investigators are looking into whether the crew took proper precautions when the downburst hit sinking the yacht in 16 minutes. However, the designers of the Bayesian – Italian Sea Group – have denied anything was wrong with the ship and insisted it was 'unsinkable'. A total of 22 people – 12 crew and ten guests – were aboard the Bayesian when she sank and among the survivors was Mr Lynch's wife Angela Bacares. Mr Lynch was onboard celebrating after a US jury cleared him of fraud and other charges that could have left in jail for 20 years. A total of 22 people – 12 crew and ten guests – were aboard the Bayesian when she sank and among the survivors was Mr Lynch's wife Angela Bacares The founder of software and data Autonomy had been accused of selling the company for vastly inflated price of £8.3 billion to US company Hewlett Packard. Other victims were Britons Jonathan Bloomer, 70, chairman of Morgan Stanley International bank and his wife Judy, 71, American lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Nada and the yacht's chef Recaldo Thomas. Bayesian skipper New Zealander James Cutfield, 51, and British duo, chief engineer Tim Parker Eaton, 59, and nightwatchman Matthew Griffin, 22, have all been placed under formal investigation in Italy for manslaughter and causing a disaster.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Diver dies working on wreck of sunken super yacht Bayesian - days after recovery work began
An investigation has been launched after a diver died while working on the wreck of the super yacht Bayesian. The 39-year-old, who has not been named, was pronounced dead this afternoon, but it was not immediately clear if he was a local or a contractor with the recovery team. A coastguard spokesman confirmed the incident but had no other immediate details to share following the incident which happened off the coast of Porticello near Palermo on the Italian island of Sicily. Sources said the diver who died was Dutch and worked for SMIT, the operators of the heavy lifting crane that has been brought in along with another support ship to lift the yacht. The investigation was focusing on two theories, that he either had a seizure of some kind or his oxygen equipment was faulty. It was not immediately clear if the accident would impact on the lifting operation which is set to take place next weekend. Marine salvage experts begAn a £20million operation to recover the wreck on May 5. The vessel sank in a freak storm off the fishing village of Porticello, Sicily, last August, killing seven - including billionaire tech tycoon Mike Lynch, 59, and his daughter Hannah, 18. The salvage mission, which will see the wreckage lifted 164ft from the seabed, is being carried out by two crane ships, Hebo Lift 2 and Hebo Lift 10. Hebo Lift 2's underwater technology will be combined with Hebo Lift 10, said to be one of the most powerful maritime structures in Europe, with the aim of raising Bayesian by mid-May. Lifting the £30million, 543-ton vessel is key to an investigation launched by Italian authorities, who want to know why the yacht – which makers The Italian Sea Group claim was unsinkable – sank in just 16 minutes. Last August, Mr Lynch, the yacht's owner and founder of Cambridge-based software firm Autonomy, invited a group of friends and family to the yacht to celebrate being cleared by a US jury of fraud charges that could have seen him jailed for 20 years. In addition to Mr Lynch and his daughter Hannah, Morgan Stanley International Chairman Jonathan Bloomer and wife Judy, attorney Chris Morvillo and wife Neda, and ship's cook Recaldo Thomas died in the shipwreck. With the help of nearby vessels, 15 of the 22 total people on board were rescued in the initial phase - with one body recovered and six others reported missing. The bodies of the six missing people were later found following search efforts which continued until August 23 last year. In the days after the tragedy, the CEO of the Italian Sea Group lay the blame at crew members on the yacht. Giovanni Costantino said: 'This was human error, the yacht sank because it took on water. 'From where exactly the investigators will tell us. The dynamic of the sinking is seen and read from AIS (Automatic Identification System) data and lasted sixteen minutes. 'We have given this data to the prosecutors at Termini Immerse. From the images it looks as if the yacht had been taking on water for four minutes. 'All it took was another gust of wind to turn her over, that meant more water coming in. She then straightened very briefly before going down.' Mr Constantino told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera there were a long list of errors; the stern hatch was 'clearly' open; the ship's keel should have been lowered; people shouldn't have been in their cabins' and the crew should have known about the storm. He said the tragedy was avoidable and added: 'Ask yourself - why were no fishermen from Porticello out that night? A fisherman reads the weather conditions and a ship doesn't? 'The storm was in all the weather charts. It couldn't have been ignored.' Nick Barke, head of salvage operations at previously told MailOnline that the 'only real way of knowing' why the yacht sank would be to lift it to the surface.
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Diver, 39, dies working to recover Mike Lynch's sunken superyacht Bayesian just days after salvage operation began
A DIVER working on tech tycoon Mike Lynch's sunken £14million superyacht has died - causing cops to launch a probe. Robcornelis Maria Huijben Uiben, 39, was pronounced dead on Friday afternoon in Sicily and is believed to have been working for Dutch firm SMIT Salvage. Advertisement 3 The 184ft £14million superyacht in Sicily before it sank 3 Mike Lynch, 59, with his wife Angela Bacares, 57 3 Rescue workers and an ambulance at Porticello Harbour after a body was brought ashore in August Credit: Reuters The diver reportedly died when working alongside other recovery workers to cut the boom of the yacht. After an unsuccessful attempt using wrenches to cut it, the divers descended with blow torches. Billionaire entrepreneur Lynch, 59, and his daughter Hannah, 18, were among seven people who died when the 56-metre (184ft) Bayesian sank off the coast of the Italian island on August 19. Around 70 specialist personnel had been mobilised to the fishing village Porticello to work on the gruelling recovery operation, which began earlier this week. Advertisement The massive vessel is set to be lifted to an upright position and brought to the surface in about two weeks. SMIT are the operators of the heavy lifting crane that has been brought in along with another support ship to lift the huge yacht. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Advertisement Most read in The Sun is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
