(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
DUBAI, 25th April, 2017 (WAM) -- The UAE yesterday hosted the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, UNWTO, and Arabian Travel Market Ministerial Forum organised by the Ministry of Economy, MoE, in cooperation with the UNWTO. Held under the patronage of Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, the forum discussed ways to enhance the contributions of tourism to the MENA region's growth and comprehensive and sustainable economic diversification.
Several tourism ministers and delegates from the region's WTO member countries, most notably Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia, participated in the forum. The meeting was attended by Mohammed Khamis Al Mheiri, the MoE's Under-Secretary and Advisor to the Minister for Tourism Affairs, Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the UNWTO, various agents and officials from the tourism sectors of Arab countries, as well as representatives of organisations from the private tourism sector.
Al Mheiri said during his speech on behalf of Al Mansouri at the opening of the forum that tourism has proven to be a main pillar of economic and social development in various countries. He emphasised that the MENA region is qualified to be among the world's leading tourist destinations due to its attractions and tourism potentials.
Al Mheiri said, "I believe that today we are facing a new phase of tourism growth that requires greater cooperation to ensure that we benefit from the opportunities offered by this sector, work harder, consolidate our partnerships, and exchange experiences and knowledge among our countries at the government and private levels. These will help us to overcome any challenges that we face in developing our tourism sectors, enhance the industry's competitiveness, and maximise its ability to contribute to the overall sustainable development of our countries. This forum is an important platform for exploring the best ways and means to take advantage of tourism growth to serve our development goals."
Al Mheiri pointed out that the UAE's tourism sector is a major area of interest in the country's development visions, noting that the industry is a pillar of economic diversification and sustainability and a major driver towards the post-oil phase."
Al Mheiri shared the World Travel and Tourism Council's report that tourism accounted for more than 12.1 percent of the UAE's GDP in 2016 and is expected to increase its share to 4.9 percent over the next 10 years. The sector provides about 617,000 jobs in several emirates and represents 10.4 percent of the total national workforce, with the latter expected to increase by 1.8 percent within the current year.
Mr. Al Mheiri added, "The UAE's hosting of the Ministerial Forum as part of worldwide celebrations of the United Nations' Declaration of 2017 as the 'International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development' reflects our keenness to actively participate in global efforts to consolidate the principles of green and sustainable tourism. We intend to establish successful partnerships at the government and private levels in this regard, and to dedicate tourism as a vital force for achieving the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals."
Dr. Rifai said during his opening speech that international tourism grew by 3.9 percent last year despite all the global challenges, proving the industry's flexibility as a catalyst for development, job creation and sustainability. He pointed out that overcoming obstacles to tourism's growth in the MENA region requires further dialogue and cooperation to ensure the safety and productivity of the travel sector, better crisis management to protect tourist destinations, and the integration of tourism into sustainable development agendas.
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