PR No.: 15033

A joint UNWTO/ATM initiative, the Ministerial Forum was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Social Development and Chairman of the National Council of Tourism and Antiquities of the United Arab Emirates.

“We can all benefit from a common strategy, an Arab tourism strategy, and the United Arab Emirates are committed to support such a strategy”, said Sheik Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, opening the Forum.

“International tourism to the Middle East grew by 5% in 2014 after three years of consecutive decline. These are very encouraging results and show that tourism in the region continues to progress despite its many challenges”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

The Arab market can play a particular role in progressing tourism in the Middle East as it tends to spend more, stay longer and be more resilient in times of crisis due to its greater knowledge about the reality of the region. Participants agreed that although tourism in MENA reveals a diverse picture with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), North Africa and the Levant destinations presenting different tourism development levels, there are important opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation.

Areas of opportunities identified by participants include visa facilitation and easier land border crossings through enhanced use of technology, growing youth and cruise markets, and the development of thematic routes. Furthermore, participants highlighted the importance of a bigger focus on the domestic market and the opportunity to use upcoming mega events, namely sports events, to change the international image of the region and implement new measures such as visa facilitation.

Alongside these opportunities, participants stressed that challenges remain, including the lack of air lift and open skies policies making air travel within the region still comparatively expensive, talent management and the need to promote job mobility, as well as the importance of knowing the Arab tourism market better and adjust product development accordingly.

Participants also agreed that there are important opportunities to work together as a multi-destination to attract tourists from other regions of the world.

Globally, around 80% of the world’s 1.1 billion international tourists travel within their own region. In contrast, only 42% of international tourist arrivals to the Middle East originate in other countries in the region, despite the extraordinary growth of international tourism in the Middle East over the last two decades, and the increasing level of outbound travel from MENA to other world regions.

Speakers at the Ministerial Forum, moderated by CNN International’s Becky Anderson, included H.E. Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Bahrain; H.E. Mr. Nayef H. Al-Fayez, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Jordan; H.E. Mr. Michel Pharaon, Minister of Tourism, Lebanon; Mrs. Nada Roudies, Secretary-General, Ministry of Tourism, Morocco; H.E. Mrs. Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of Tourism, Oman; H.E. Mr. Issa Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Chairman, Qatar Tourism Authority; Mr. Abdellatif Hmam, Director General, National Tourist Office, Tunisia; H.E. Mr. Mohammed K. Al Muhairi, Director General, National Council of Tourism and Antiquities, UAE; Mr. Helal S. K. Al Marri, Director General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai, UAE and H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, UAE; Mr. Antoine Medawar, Vice-President MENA region, Amadeus; Mr. Amine Moukarzel, President, Golden Tulip Hotels, Suites & Resorts MENA; Mr. Hussein Dabbas, Regional Vice President, Africa & Middle East, International Air Transport Association (IATA); Mr. Gerald Lawless, President and CEO, Jumeirah Group and David Scowsill, President & CEO, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

Useful links:

UNWTO & ATM Ministerial Forum on intra-Arab Tourism: Addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities 
UNWTO at ATM 2015
UNWTO Regional Programme for the Middle East

Contacts:

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 

PR No.: 15019

“As stated by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, the recent systematic destruction of Iraq’s unique cultural heritage is intolerable and must come to an end immediately”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

“The world´s diverse cultural heritage tells mankind’s story; it tells our story. It gives a sense of pride and self-esteem to local communities, and motivates millions of people to travel and discover the world each year. As such, cultural artefacts are a source of understanding, tolerance and respect between peoples and nations. These inexcusable acts of terrorism are attacks on these values and the international community must stand united in condemning them”, he added.

Contacts:

UNWTO Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 

 

PR No.: PR 14079

The government of the Sultanate of Oman recognizes tourism’s important contribution to job creation, heritage conservation and community development, as well as its ability to promote cross-cultural dialogue and understanding among both peoples and nations. This was emphasized by H.H. Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said when receiving the Open Letter on behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, from UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

H.H. Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said expressed the direct support at the highest level of government of the tourism sector, acknowledging tourism’s positive social, cultural and investment impacts. This is of particular relevance considering the Omani Strategy Project for Tourism 2015-45, which includes domestic tourism as one of its fundamental pillars.

During the meeting, ways to further strengthen the cooperation with UNWTO were explored, particularly regarding capacity building for both individuals and organizations in the Omani tourism sector, as well as supporting Oman’s international tourism presence.

Underscoring the country’s rich heritage and archaeology as key tourism assets, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, commended “Oman’s leadership and UNWTO’s determination to enhance its cooperation with the Sultanate, to further advance its promising tourism potential”.

David Scowsill, President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) said; “The short and long term future for Oman’s economy from Travel & Tourism looks really bright”.

International tourist arrivals in Oman reached 1.6 million in 2013, generating 1.2 US$ billion in exports. According to official figures, during the first half of 2014, tourist arrivals grew by 12%, compared to the same period of 2013. Travel & Tourism directly contributes 3% to Oman’s GDP, according to WTTC’s Oman Economic Impact Report 2014.  Its direct contribution is forecast to rise by 10.2% in 2014, the third highest increase of the 184 countries which WTTC produces data on.

On the occasion of his visit to Oman, Mr. Rifai also met with H.E. Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi, Minister of Tourism, H.H. Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, H.E. Abdullah Nasser bin Abdullah Al Bakri, Minister of Manpower, H.E. Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Planning, and Dr. Ali Qassim, Advisor of Research in Royal Court Affairs.

 

Note to Editors:

The UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter outlines Travel & Tourism’s value as one of the world’s largest generators of jobs, a powerful driver of socio-economic growth and development and a key player in the transformation to the Green Economy. To date, the Open Letter has been received by 69 heads of state and government.

 

Useful links:

UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter on Travel and Tourism

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

 

Contacts:

 

UNWTO

Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 

 

WTTC

Head of Communications: Emma Coulthurst

Tel: (+44 ) 207481 6483