Arab Region Focuses on Tourism as a Pillar of Economic Transformation

TDT | Manama

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Her Excellency Ms. Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, participated in the meetings of the Arab Tourism Organisation (ATO) held at the headquarters of the Arab League in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, where she highlighted the significance of enhancing cooperation among Arab states to advance the tourism sector, noting that tourism represents one of the vital sectors supporting economic development in Arab countries, which necessitates intensified joint efforts to achieve sustainable development. She also underscored the role of tourism in bridging cultural connections and fostering mutual understanding among peoples, emphasising the importance of collective action to develop effective partnerships and strategies that enhance tourist experiences and improve the quality of tourism services, benefiting all Arab nations.

HE the Secretary General participated in the 35th session of the Executive Bureau of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, alongside Their Excellencies the ministers responsible for tourism from Arab League member states, as well as representatives from various Arab and international organisations concerned with tourism. Discussions centred on shared strategies aimed at achieving sustainable development goals in the tourism sector, with a focus on optimising the utilisation of available resources more effectively. Participants also stressed the necessity of enhancing coordination among member states to ensure tangible results in developing tourism activities, thus elevating the tourism profile of Arab nations.

Furthermore, Her Excellency attended the 27th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, where crucial topics about developing tourism in the region and improving the quality of tourism services offered were discussed. The meeting also addressed proposals to enhance tourism innovation and smart tourism, alongside collaborative tourism efforts among Arab countries, with a focus on inclusivity for contemporary Arab tourism destinations.

On the sidelines of her participation, HE the Minister met with His Excellency Ambassador Ali Al Maliki, Assistant Secretary General and Head of the Economic Affairs Sector at the Arab League, where they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in economic and tourism fields among member states and reiterated the importance of supporting joint Arab initiatives to improve tourism performance, benefiting all parties involved.

Additionally, she held discussions with Dr. Bandar Al Fuhaid, President of the Arab Tourism Organisation and Member of the Higher Coordination Committee for Joint Arab Action, about methods to enhance coordination and joint efforts while preparing comprehensive common strategies to support the Arab tourism industry and achieve sustainable development goals.

Her Excellency also met with His Excellency Dr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt, where they discussed prospects for cooperation between the two brotherly countries in the fields of tourism and antiquities, emphasising the importance of strengthening partnerships and exchanging expertise to serve mutual interests and enhance tourism development plans in both nations.