Arab League Secretary-General Discusses with President of the Arab Organization for Tourism the Enhancement of Joint Tourism Cooperation
Cairo, Aug 25 (KUNA) -- The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil Fahmy, held talks today with the President of the Arab Organization for Tourism, Dr. Bandar Al-Fahid, to discuss ways to enhance joint Arab cooperation in the tourism sector and support tourism in the Arab region.
In a statement following the meeting, Al-Fahid said he briefed Fahmy on the developments in the cooperation between the Arab League and the Arab Organization for Tourism, as well as the achievements realized during the organization’s journey in supporting joint Arab efforts in the tourism field.
He added that the meeting addressed the organization’s role in supporting the tourism sector in the Arab region and leveraging the substantial potential possessed by Arab countries through attracting more tourist flows from outside the region and promoting intra-Arab tourism, thereby contributing to strengthening national economies and raising employment rates.
Al-Fahid clarified that the organization works to organize conferences, workshops, and training and capacity-building programs for personnel in the tourism sector at both the governmental and private levels, and to select Arab tourism capitals, which contributes to enhancing intra-Arab tourism.
He pointed out the organization’s organization of celebrations for Arab Tourism Day on February 25 each year, coinciding with the birthday of the renowned Arab traveler Ibn Battuta, with the aim of revitalizing intra-Arab tourism, highlighting its assets and treasures, and attracting more international tourists to the Arab region.
He noted that the organization also holds annual forums on tourism security to enhance Arab integration in the field of protecting tourists, facilities, and tourist sites, and to support stability and security, which are considered two fundamental pillars for the growth of the economy and the tourism industry.
He explained that the organization fulfills its role as a technical arm and think tank that translates the decisions of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, in cooperation with the Council’s Technical Secretariat and the tourism ministries and private sector in Arab countries.
For his part, the Secretary-General of the Arab League praised the achievements accomplished by the Arab Organization for Tourism across the Arab world, noting that the tourism industry is among the most important sectors with significant economic returns for countries.
Fahmy affirmed the Arab League’s support and encouragement of the Arab Organization for Tourism to continue its efforts and achieve the objectives for which it was established. (End) M.M. / M.A.A.
