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39th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for the Middle East and International Conference on Tourism Safety and Security in the Middle East and North Africa

Submitted by opentrends on Fri, 10/10/2014 - 13:00
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39th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for the Middle East and International Conference on Tourism Safety and Security in the Middle East and North Africa

UNWTO welcomes new Law on Antiquities and Heritage in Saudi Arabia

PR No.: PR 14048

UNWTO welcomes the new Saudi legislation aimed at protecting the country’s antiquities and heritage as well as to give the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) the mandate to ensure its preservation. Heritage conservation is today fundamental to safeguard cultural legacy but also to promote and preserve key tourism assets which are central to differentiating destinations all around the world.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, congratulated Saudi Arabia for adopting legal mechanisms for the protection of its historical sites, contributing to ensure that tourism and culture continue to develop to the benefit of both. “Cultural tourism – the movement of travellers motivated by the mosaic of art forms, heritage sites, festivals, traditions, and pilgrimages – is growing at an unprecedented rate. These are positive news as the nexus between culture and tourism translates into important income generation for destinations but also for conservation, and such growth needs to be managed in a responsible and sustainable manner through adequate public policies and legislation”, he said.

The Saudi law on antiquities, museums and built heritage approval coincided with the recent inclusion of the Jeddah Historical Area in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, recognizing the old city’s cultural value and unique model with its distinguished urban heritage. Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah, was among the 26 new inscriptions decided at the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee of the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), held in Qatar (15-25 June 2014).

“UNESCO’s decision highlights the Kingdom’s historical position and its rich heritage and shows the depth of the Kingdom’s culture and interaction with human civilizations throughout the centuries,” said the President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), Prince Sultan bin Salman.

The important linkages between tourism and culture are fundamental for sustainable tourism development and will be at the heart of the upcoming international UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism to be held in February 2015 in Cambodia, the first ever to bring together Ministers of Tourism and Ministers of Culture to debate new models of partnership. 

 

Useful links:

New inscriptions by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee

 

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

 

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UNWTO supports Qatar’s new Tourism Strategy

PR No.: PR 14013

UNWTO is supporting Qatar to implement its new tourism strategy through collaboration in the areas of legislation, institutional strengthening, statistics, marketing and capacity building. During an official visit to the country, where he met H.E. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar and attended the launch of Qatar’s Tourism Strategy, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai welcomed the high priority afforded to the tourism sector in Qatar (22-25 February 2014).

“I would like to commend the government of Qatar for placing the tourism sector as a strategic pillar within its National Vision 2030. This is a clear recognition of the role tourism can play in boosting the image of Qatar, diversifying its economic base and driving sustainable development in the country”, said Mr. Rifai.

During an audience with H.E. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar, UNWTO Secretary-General presented him with the UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter on Travel and Tourism. The Open Letter reaffirms the commitment of a country to tourism as vital sector in the economy and the society.

Looking into the future, the Secretary-General said “According to UNWTO long term forecast, the Middle East is expected to triple its current volume of international tourism by 2030 when it will welcome 149 million international tourists a year. With an investment portfolio of US$ 17 billion over the next five years, including 130 new hotels, resorts and other leisure facilities, a new international airport, a new port with cruise passenger terminal, some 12 sports stadiums and various cultural iconic centres, Qatar is set to become a leading tourism destination and take full advantage of such growth.”

UNWTO has been collaborating with the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) in the implementation of Qatar’s Tourism Strategy. Meeting with H.E. Issa Al Muhannadi, Chairman of QTA, Mr. Rifai discussed how to advance the collaboration between UNWTO and QTA in areas ranging from institution building, such as the legislative and organizational framework and the regulation of tourism activities, to the development of Qatar’s national system of tourism statistics.

Qatar’s tourism has grown significantly over recent years with the total number of international tourists visiting the country rising from less than half a million in 2000 to over one million today.

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 

 

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UNWTO strongly condemns attack on tour bus in the Sinai

PR No.: PR14011

On behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO conveys its heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims and to the Government of Egypt.

“I am appalled by this horrible act of violence. Our thoughts at this difficult moment are with the families and friends of the victims and the Government and people of Egypt” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “The livelihoods of millions people in Egypt depend on the tourism sector and this is a direct attack on the hopes of these people as Egypt works to reinforce its tourism sector." he added.

 

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