Mr Leyhan who came to Gibraltar in 1964 and spent decades as a senior figure at the Caleta Hotel has long been a mover in building cultural and economic links between the two sides of the Strait.
Recognised in 1992 for his work by King Hassan II, Mr Leyhan remains a keen supporter of Gibraltar and of promoting tourism in the area.
In partnership with a company called SARAVN as subsidiary of ARAVN, which is chaired by Jose Estevez, Mr Leyhan is helping set up what is planned as a regular service between Gibraltar and the state of the art port facility of TANGER-MED.
His hope is that this will renew not only Gibraltarian tourism into Morcaan cities such as Fez, Marrakesh and Rabat and access to international flights from Tangier, but also see the renwal of access to Gibraltar's shopping facilities to wealthy and middle class Moroccans.
Mr Leyhan is hoping that the authorities might find ways of speeding up visas for vistors and urges that Moroccans who hold valid Schengen visas should be able to get short-vist visas to Gibraltar in a couple of days rather than the current 15 days.
Mr Leyhan runs his own family travel business in Morocco but remains a regular visitor to his second home which is Gibraltar.
"I would really like to see the relationship between Morocco and Gibraltar improve. I have always worked for this and many Moroccans would love the opportunity to use Gibraltar's wonderful shopping," he says.
The story has also been given prominent coverage in the Moroccan press.
Source : Gibraltar Chronicle The Independent Daily