As part of the annual celebration of "Fête de la Francophonie" in Korea, the French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry - FKCCI, hosted its "2019 Francophonie économique" seminar under the theme of "Sustainable Development and Climate Change". 
The event was organized in partnership with the Institut français de Séoul, and the Cercle des entrepreneurs francophones en Corée (CEFC), and included presentations by the Ambassadors of Cambodia, France, and Rwanda in Korea, and representatives of the Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire, as well as companies and the Green Climate Fund.
Catherine GERMIER-HAMEL was invited as President of CEFC and Founder & CEO of Millennium Destinations to speak during Session 2 - Business focus. She introduced Millennium Destinations and its services and solutions in the field of sustainable tourism development and promotion, with a focus on French-speaking countries. She also mentioned the efforts of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie and the Institut de la Francophonie pour le développement durable, especially in developing countries and small island states.

Fête de la Francophonie
Organized in Korea for more than 10 years, the Fête de la Francophonie features more than 100 events in the areas of culture, sports, business, etc. promoting the French language and the cultural diversity of French-speaking countries. In 2018, more than 10,000 participants participated to share these many moments of conviviality and, according to the Observatoire de la langue française, nearly 40,000 students learn French in South Korea. 
Created in 1970, the International Organisation of La Francophonie - OIF represents one of the biggest linguistic zones in the world, with a membership of 84 States and governments (including 26 observers) representing over one-third of the United Nations’ member states and a population of over 900 million people, including 300 million French speakers.

​On March 16, 2019, the General Assembly of AMFORHT unanimously approved the Republic of Korea as the host country of its 2020 World  Annual Forum.

The World Association for Hospitality & Tourism Training and Education - AMFORHT hosted its 23rd World Forum in Paris, France on March 14th to 16, 2019, under the theme “Education and Tourism, Change the Future Through Actions”. The event marked the 50th anniversary of the Association.  
Catherine GERMIER-HAMEL, AMFORHT Delegate for South Korea, and Founder & CEO of Millennium Destinations, in order to submit the proposal of South Korea to host the 24th AMFORHT World Forum.

​On March 15th, around 150 participants from over 30 countries gathered at Hotel Lassay, Residence of the President of the French National Assembly, for the opening ceremony of the Forum.
Several high-level personalities were invited by AMFORHT President, Mr. Philippe FRANCOIS to give a speech to the audience, including: Mr. Jean-Baptiste LEMOYNE French State Secretary of France to the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, in charge of Tourism, Lamia BOUTALEB Morocco State Secretary of Tourism of Morocco Ms. Pascale FONTENEL-PERSONNE, French  Lawmaker – President of the Tourism Committee of the French Parliament, Mr. Francesco FRANGIALLI, AMFORHT Non-Executive Chairman – Honorary and former Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Dr. Taleb RIFAÏ Jordan, former Secretary-General UNWTO, and Amb. DHO Young-shim (South-Korea), Chair of the UN SDGs Advocates Alumni, as well as representatives of many prominent education, training, tourism and/or institutions from the public and privates sectors.
The afternoon was dedicated to a series of conferences and panel discussions focused on education and training in tourism and hospitality, with the necessity to take into account the specific learning needs and profiles of Millennials. 
The day was concluded by a celebratory dinner a the application restaurant of CFA Médéric Ecole Hôtelière de Paris. 

During AMFORHT General Assembly on March 16th, Catherine GERMIER-HAMEL introduced South Korea as a top MICE (Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions) destination. After all participating members unanimously approved the candidature of the Republic of Korea as host of the 24th AMFORHT World Forum in 2020.
The 24th AMFORHT World Forum, the first one in Asia, would take place in Seoul in May 2020, and would be the first one in Asia.

About AMFORHT
An initiative of UNWTO, AMFORHT was launched 50 years ago in France and is recognized as the key international network for vocational training and higher education programs and research in tourism and hospitality.
A UNWTO Affiliate Member, AMFORHT was granted a special consultative status by the United Nations in 2017.
As of today, AMFORHT is serving over 650 active members, supporters and business partners from 64 countries, mostly in Europe but not only, including educational and training institutions, public and private organizations and professionals from the travel and tourism industry, as well as national and international entities from related sectors.