The Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa at the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), Yamel Henriksen, in an interview with Telegrafi, spoke about AHLIE's role in the development of the tourism and hospitality sector, as well as the concrete benefits that these trainings and certifications bring to Kosovo.
Henriksen emphasized that AHLEI is the global training and certification institution of the American Hotel and Lodging Association and the National Restaurant Association, the two largest hospitality organizations in the world.
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"We operate exclusively in the hospitality and tourism sector and our mission is very clear: to increase the professionalism, quality of service and global competitiveness of the industry through training, academic resources and internationally recognized professional certifications," she stated.
According to Henriksen, AHLEI is present in over 100 countries around the world and collaborates with more than 2,000 partner institutions, supporting students, educators, and professionals in building sustainable and future-ready careers.
The regional director of AHLEI has assessed that international certifications are key to raising standards throughout the tourism and hospitality sector.
Photo: Ridvan Slivova
“AHLEI certifications are competency-based, industry-validated, and aligned with the real operational needs of hotels, restaurants, and tourism organizations worldwide. When professionals earn an AHLEI certificate, they demonstrate not only theoretical knowledge, but also the ability to implement best practices at an international level,” Henriksen emphasized.
She added that this directly affects the quality of service, guest satisfaction and the competitiveness of tourist destinations.
Speaking about Kosovo, Henriksen assessed that the country has great potential for tourism development, while international certifications help overcome the lack of skills and professionalize the workforce.
"For countries like Kosovo, which are expanding their tourism offering, these certifications help fill skills gaps, strengthen the credibility of local businesses, and increase competitiveness in the global market," she said.
Henriksen confirmed that AHLEI considers the Kosovo Tourism Union as an important and strategic partner for the development of training and certifications in the country.
Photo: Ridvan Slivova
"The Kosovo Tourism Union has demonstrated professionalism, commitment and a deep understanding of the needs of the sector. The collaboration allows us to bring global standards, always adapted to the local context, ensuring long-term impact and sustainability," she stated.
According to Henriksen, the benefits of participating in AHLEI training are tangible at every level.
"For students and professionals, certifications strengthen employability, open international doors, and provide skills that are immediately applicable in the workplace. For businesses, they mean higher quality of service, better staff retention, and compliance with international safety and guest experience standards," she emphasized.
Photo: Ridvan Slivova
Finally, the director of AHLEI gave a motivational message to young people and professionals in the tourism and hospitality sector in Kosovo.
“Invest in yourself. This sector rewards those who are thirsty for knowledge, who continue to learn and who dare to grow. An AHLEI certificate is not just a document, but an open door to global opportunities. Kosovo has talent, passion and potential – with training, discipline and vision, international success is achievable”, concluded Henriksen. /Telegraph/
