PR No.: 16045
The increasing relevance of religious and cultural tourism and the opportunities it offers to link the countries in the Mediterranean was the focus of a series of events on ‘Connecting People and Cultures through Tourism in the Mediterranean region.’ The events held in Maghdouche and Beirut, were organized by UNWTO and the Ministry of Tourism of Lebanon.
The first event - a round table on religious tourism, with the participation of CNN's John Defterious - explored the challenges and opportunities for the development of religious tourism routes in the Levant as well as cross-country pilgrimages and networks of religious tourism destinations as effective means to foster regional development and integration, cross-cultural exchanges, understanding and self-education and learning.
“Never before have so many people visited so many places and seen so many diverse cultures, traditions and faiths. Religious tourism can in fact be one of the most effective tools to foster mutual understanding and sustainable development” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai opening the roundtable.
The meeting, held in Maghdouche, was followed by a ceremony organized by the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism marking the launch of ‘our Lady of Mantara’ as a destination for international religious tourism.
The second day was dedicated to the meeting of the Working Group of the Phoenicians´ Route Cultural Tourism Programme.
Michel Pharaon, Minister of Tourism of Lebanon, said "the Phoenician Route has cultural, humanitarian and tourism benefits, for Lebanon and 17 other Mediterranean and European Union countries while fitting UNWTO’s objectives, which has adopted this vital regional project.”
“The Phoenician route is widely recognized not only as a historical cultural and trade-based itinerary, but also as an initiative to interconnect all the diverse backgrounds existing in the region since ancient times. We are upon an unprecedented occasion to revive the identity of the Mediterranean and its tourism sector so that all societies in the region can capitalize the immense opportunities that it brings to 18 participating countries and tourism destinations across more than 2800 kilometers in terms of economic development and job creation,” said Mr. Rifai.
The events counted with the participation of the Ministries of Tourism of Lebanon, Palestine and Egypt and international organizations such as UNESCO and ASCAME. The Council of Europe was represented by Stefano Dominioni, Director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes (EICR) and Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA) on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe who expressed the full cooperation of the Council to the development of the Phoenicians´ Route as a cultural tourism programme.
The meeting concluded with the four key areas of focus as next steps: 1) the development of itineraries, 2) involving local communities, 3) joint marketing and promotion, and 4) travel facilitation.
The Phoenicians´ Route Cultural Tourism Programme provides a valuable opportunity to build upon the existing cultural route and facilitate the development of a strategic plan for tourism itineraries, engaging stakeholders in the region and encouraging the alignment of resources and funds for tourism product development, capital projects, visitor experiences, marketing and promotion.
Additional information:
Website of the event and Regional Programme for Middle East
Contacts:
UNWTO Media Officer Rut Gomez Sobrino
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218
PR No.: 16044
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by UNWTO and the Petra National Trust (PNT) with the aim to promote sustainable tourism policies in cultural tourism, to develop capacity building and knowledge sharing, and to conduct educational actions. The agreement was signed in Beijing, on the occasion of the recent First World Conference on Tourism for Development.
The MoU was signed by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, and the President of PNT’s Board, HRH Princess Dana Firas
“The work developed by civil society organizations on the protection of heritage is a fundamental part of the tourism sector, and essential for the design and implementation of sustainable tourism initiatives involving and benefiting local communities. This agreement builds upon this principle,” said Mr. Rifai during the signing ceremony.
“This partnership agreement marks a new milestone for the Petra National Trust and will serve as the framework for joint cooperation between us. PNT will work closely with UNWTO to place preservation of culture and heritage at the centre of tourism development, and to expand PNT's innovative cultural education and awareness programmes to local communities internationally. We thank UNWTO for their support and endorsement and look forward to a most fruitful partnership," said HRH Princess Dana Firas.
Additional information:
Petra National Trust is Jordan’s oldest non-profit governmental organization for the preservation of national cultural heritage with a focus on the World Heritage Site of Petra.
- To know more about the Organization
- Pictures
Contacts:
UNWTO Media Officer Rut Gomez Sobrino
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218
The UNWTO workshop on MICE product development, organized by the World Tourism Organization, its UNWTO.Themis Foundation and the Ministry of Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman, was inaugurated on 31st May by Salim Adi Al-Mamari, Director General, Promotions, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Hussain Abdullah Ibrahim Al Hamed, Director of Human Resources Department, Oman Ministry of Tourism, and Omar Valdez Executive Director, UNWTO.Themis Foundation.
The objective of this workshop, delivered by Galal Afifi and Tala Momani, is to provide participants with knowledge, skills, tools and a forum for discussion on current key issues and practices in MICE and product development; blending presentations with workshop activities, aiming at promoting active learning through a calibrated mix of theory and practical examples, and at actively involving participants in a collaborative process.
The UNWTO workshop on Tourism Strategic Planning-Investment, organized by the World Tourism Organization, its UNWTO.Themis Foundation and the Ministry of Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman, was inaugurated on 29th May by H.E. Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary, Oman Ministry of Tourism, and Omar Valdez Executive Director, UNWTO.Themis Foundation.
The objective of this workshop, delivered by Adel Rady and Issa Qaqish, was to provide participants with knowledge, skills, tools and a forum for discussion about current key issues and practices in strategic planning, and investment; blending presentations with workshop activities, aiming at promoting active learning through a calibrated mix of theory and practical examples, and at actively involving participants in a collaborative process.
UNWTO is deeply saddened by the news of the crash of EgyptAir flight MS 804. On behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO conveys its heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of the victims.
"It was with great sorrow that we learned about this tragic news. We express our sincerest condolences to the passengers’ families and friends at this difficult time”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.