PR No.: PR 17050

Moderated by CNN Becky Anderson, the UNWTO/ATM Ministerial Forum concluded that the main priorities for the region include human resources development, public/private sector cooperation, connectivity, technology and sustainability.

Issues on discussion included the development of domestic tourism by engaging repeat travellers, the support to innovation and entrepreneurship, the need to improve the quality and ‘perception’ of tourism employment, visa facilitation, intra-regional connectivity and the measurement of tourism’s impact through the recently launched UNWTO Initiative on Measuring Sustainable Tourism (MST).

Participants further recalled that much of the growth of the sector comes from the high level of support at policy level it receives from many countries in the region as a tool to diversify oil-based economies.

H.E. Mohammed Khamis Al Muhairi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, UAE, said that tourism has proven to be one of the main pillars of economic and social development in various countries. He pointed out that the MENA region has strong potential to become one of the world’s leading tourist destinations due to its extensive tourism attractions. He added that the region’s countries are at the threshold of a new phase of tourism growth which requires greater cooperation to ensure the maximization of opportunities offered by this sector. He also noted the need to consolidate partnerships at the government and private levels to overcome obstacles to their efforts to enhance the competitiveness of their respective tourism sectors and make the most of tourism’s impact on their growth and development.

Mr Al Muhairi further stated that “tourism is a top priority under the development policies of the UAE, revealing that the sector contributes 12.1% to the national GDP and accounts for around 10.4% of the domestic labor market”. “Investments to the sector exceeded AED 26 billion in 2016, a year which saw the number of visitors to the UAE reaching 24.8 million with total spend of about AED 110 billion”, he added

Commending the UNWTO/ ATM Ministerial Forum for providing an important platform for discussing the best ways to enhance the contributions of tourism to the development objectives of the UAE and other countries in the region he emphasized how the forum reflects the UAE’s keenness to support the global efforts to make tourism one of the pillars of sustainable development.

“Despite all external shocks, the Middle East and North Africa tell one of tourism’s biggest success stories. A story that brings an immense opportunity to make tourism a pillar of economic diversification, job creation and sustainable development in this region” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

“Today’s meeting is an opportunity to identify the priorities of tourism policy for the MENA destinations, strengthen regional cooperation and public-private partnerships that prepare the region to welcome the 195 million international tourist arrivals - almost triple the present volume of 72 million – forecasted by UNWTO for 2030. ” he added.  

Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, ATM, said: “The Middle East is developing at an extraordinary pace as countries diversify from a dependence on hydrocarbon receipts. As such it is vital leaders in the region continue to find new ways of capitalising on tourism growth built on sustainability.

“The UNWTO & ATM Ministerial Forum provided an effective platform for stakeholders across the industry spectrum to identify the opportunities, as well as the challenges, that currently prevail throughout the region.”

The Middle East received 53.6 million international tourist arrivals in 2016. Arrivals decreased an estimated 4% with very mixed results among the region’s destinations. International tourist arrivals to North Africa grew by 3% to 18.6 million. 

Note for Editors: Speakers at the Ministerial Forum included Shaikh Khaled Bin Hmoud Al Khalifa, Executive Director for Bahrain Authority for Tourism and Exhibitions, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Yehia Rashed, Minister of Tourism of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Avedis Guidanian, Minister of Tourism of Lebanon, H.E. Mrs. Maitha Saif Majid Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism of Oman, H.E. Mrs. Salma Elloumi Rekik, Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts of Tunisia, H.E. Mr. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism, Development Authority, United Arab Emirates, H.E. Mr. Haitham Mattar, CEO of the Ras Al-Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, United Arab Emirates, Dr. Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat is the current Managing Director, Jordan Tourism Board, Mr. Adel Al Redha, Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer, Emirates Airline, Mr. Vijay Poonoosamy, Vice President, Etihad Airways, Mr. Antonio Peña, Director, JSF T&T School, Mr. Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Dawood, CEO, Al Tayyar Group, Mr. Ivan Jakovljevic, Travel Industry Director, MENA region, Google, Mr. Yousef Wahbah, Partner & Leader, Real Estate & Hospitality, MENA region, Ernst & Young, Mr. Antonio Lopez de Avila, Director Tourism Innovation Centre, IE (Instituto de Empresa), Spain, Mr. Carl Obst, Director, Institute for the Development of Environmental-Economic Accounting and Mr. Antoine Medawar, Vice President for the MENA Region, AMADEUS

Useful links:

UNWTO & ATM Ministerial Forum

UNWTO Regional Programme for the Middle East

Contacts:

UNWTO Media Officer Rut Gomez Sobrino

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 / rgomez@unwto.org

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 / comm@UNWTO.org

PR No.: PR 17023

This was an occasion to stress the importance of cultural preservation and the links between tourism and culture particularly in the scope of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017.

“2017, declared by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, is a unique opportunity to promote the value of tourism to in the preservation of our values, diversity and heritage. Tourism revives traditional activities and customs, empowers communities and nurtures pride within them, promoting cultural diversity and raising awareness of the value of heritage”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

On the occasion, Mr Rifai was presented with the advances in the development of the Path of Pearls, including the restoration of several traditional houses in Manama.

Bahrain island society developed an economic, cultural and social system that was based on a singular source of income, a natural product of incomparable beauty: the pearls of Bahrain. The unique story of pearling in Bahrain and its physical testimony in Muharraq is now listed by UNESCO as World Heritage site.

“I would like to commend the immense efforts of H.E. Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa in preserving and promoting culture in Bahrain and its relationship with tourism”, added Mr Rifai.

UNWTO has been long promoting the development of cultural tourism routes as a means to advance regional integration and economic development, namely through its long standing Silk Road Tourism Programme.

As part of Bahrain’s Spring of Cultures Festival, Mr Rifai also attended the Lebanese opera show “Antar and Abla” at the Bahrain National Theater.

In recognition of her contribution to the promotion of sustainable cultural tourism, UNWTO will designate H.E. Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa as Special Ambassador for the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 at a special ceremony at UNWTO Headquarters in Madrid on March 24, 2017.

Contacts:

UNWTO Media Officer Rut Gomez Sobrino

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 / rgomez@unwto.org

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 / comm@UNWTO.org

The UNWTO Executive Training Course in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on MICE Tourism, organized by the World Tourism Organization, its UNWTO.Themis Foundation and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), was inaugurated on 22 November 2016 by Dr. Turki Bin Nadir, SCTH Human Resources General Manager; Mr. Abdullah Seraj Al-Ghamdi, SCTH Manager of Training and Development Department; Mr. Ghaleb S. Alhemaimidi, SCTH Senior Human Resources Researcher, Human Resources Department; Ms. Basmah Al-Mayman, SCTH Manager of International Organizations & Committees (Saudi Focal Point with the UNWTO); on behalf of Mr. Omar Valdez, UNWTO.Themis Foundation Executive Director, Dr. Edith M. Szivas, Course Coordinator and Course Facilitator Mr. Saleem Odeh.

This Executive Training Course will introduce participants to the latest trends and techniques related to MICE sector development, management and marketing and will enable them to gain the necessary knowledge, skills and practice to develop, manage and market the MICE sector effectively. Moreover, this Course will focus on developing a broad understanding of the diverse types of MICE products and their characteristics, showcasing international best practices and enabling participants to put the new knowledge and skills into practical use in the local contexts.  

The UNWTO Executive Training Course in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Tourism Strategy, organized by the World Tourism Organization, its UNWTO.Themis Foundation and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) was closed on 17th November by Dr. Turki Bin Nadir, SCTH Human Resource General Manager; Dr. Edit Szivas, Course Coordinator, and the course facilitators  Dr. Adel Rady and Mr.Mohamad Qablan, UNWTO.Themis Foundation expert team.

A group of thirty-five SCTH employees and stakeholders were provided with  knowledge on key concepts in tourism strategy and the interlinked concepts of destination competitiveness; skills and  tools to be able to apply a framework for developing a destination development strategy, to develop tourism products, to monitor the implementation of tourism strategies and conduct performance evaluation and strategy updating.

If you are interested in hosting a UNWTO Course in your country please visit: /content/unwtocapacity.

The UNWTO Executive Training Course in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Tourism Strategy, organized by the World Tourism Organization, its UNWTO.Themis Foundation and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), was inaugurated on 13th November by Dr. Turki Bin Nadir, SCTH Human Resources General Manager; Mr. Abdullah Seraj Al Ghamdi, SCTH Director of Training and Development Department; on behalf of Mr. Omar Valdez, UNWTO.Themis Foundation Executive Director, Dr. Edit Szivas, Course Coordinator, and course facilitators Dr. Adel Rady and Mr.Mohamad Qablan.

This Executive Training Course will introduce participants to the fundamentals of Tourism Strategy -such as the key principles and processes, key elements of a tourism destination- and will discuss the interlinking concepts of destination competitiveness and sustainability. Furthermore, it will introduce participants to the key steps in the tourism investment process and will share tools regarding project identification and selection and the preparation of investment related documentation. This will be followed by developing a good working understanding of the participants regarding the key steps in the tourism strategy preparation process, such as the strategic analysis, setting of vision, goals, objectives, tourism product development, value chain approach for optimizing visitor experience, governance and public-private partnerships. Finally, the Course will introduce participants to techniques related to tourism strategy evaluation and updating.

The UNWTO National Executive Training Course on Tourism Marketing, organized by the World Tourism Organization, its UNWTO.Themis Foundation and the Saudi Commission of Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), was closed on 10th November by Dr. Turki Bin Nadir, SCTH Human Resource General Manager; Mr. Abdullah Seraj Al Ghamdi, SCTH Director of Training and Development Department; Mr. Omar Valdez, UNWTO.Themis Foundation Executive Director; Dr. Edit Szivas, Course Coordinator, and expert Mr. Mohamed Lotfy,  course facilitator.

A group of thirty SCTH employees and stakeholders were provided with  knowledge, skills, tools and a forum for discussion and reflection on Tourism Marketing -its key concepts and definitions, current global trends, situation and performance analysis, creation and innovation of tourism products, development plans, promotion approaches, and tourism marketing activities monitoring and updating.

 

The UNWTO National Executive Training Course on Tourism Strategy, organized by the World Tourism Organization, its UNWTO.Themis Foundation and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), was closed on 10th November by Dr. Turki Bin Nadir, SCTH Human Resource General Manager; Mr. Abdullah Seraj Al Ghamdi, SCTH Director of Training and Development Department; Mr. Omar Valdez, UNWTO.Themis Foundation Executive Director; Dr. Edit Szivas, Course Coordinator, and Dr. Adel Rady, facilitator of the course.

A group of thirty SCTH employees and stakeholders were provided with knowledge, tools and a forum for discussion and reflection on Heritage Tourism -its key elements, key challenges, promoting, planning and carrying capacity issues for heritage sites and monitoring impacts.