The Arab market can play a particular role in progressing tourism in the Middle East as it tends to spend more, stay longer and be more resilient in times of crisis due to its greater knowledge about the reality of the region.
Visa facilitation, open skies, the need to adapt to market needs and the role of events in the promotion of intra-regional tourism in the MENA region were the focus of the debate at the 2015 UNWTO and ATM Ministerial Forum on Intra-Arab Tourism: Addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities (Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 5 May 2015).
A joint UNWTO/ATM initiative, the Ministerial Forum was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Social Development and Chairman of the National Council of Tourism and Antiquities of the United Arab Emirates.
“We can all benefit from a common strategy, an Arab tourism strategy, and the United Arab Emirates are committed to support such a strategy”, said Sheik Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, opening the Forum.
“International tourism to the Middle East grew by 5% in 2014 after three years of consecutive decline. These are very encouraging results and show that tourism in the region continues to progress despite its many challenges”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.
The Arab market can play a particular role in progressing tourism in the Middle East as it tends to spend more, stay longer and be more resilient in times of crisis due to its greater knowledge about the reality of the region. Participants agreed that although tourism in MENA reveals a diverse picture with the Gulf Council Countries (GCC), North Africa and the Levant destinations presenting different tourism development levels, there are important opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation.
Areas of opportunities identified by participants include visa facilitation and easier land border crossings through enhanced use of technology, growing youth and cruise markets, and the development of thematic routes. Furthermore, participants highlighted the importance of a bigger focus on the domestic market and the opportunity to use upcoming mega events, namely sports events, to change the international image of the region and implement new measures such as visa facilitation.
Alongside these opportunities, participants stressed that challenges remain, including the lack of air lift and open skies policies making air travel within the region still comparatively expensive, talent management and the need to promote job mobility, as well as the importance of knowing the Arab tourism market better and adjust product development accordingly.
Participants also agreed that there are important opportunities to work together as a multi-destination to attract tourists from other regions of the world.
Globally, around 80% of the world’s 1.1 billion international tourists travel within their own region. In contrast, only 42% of international tourist arrivals to the Middle East originate in other countries in the region, despite the extraordinary growth of international tourism in the Middle East over the last two decades, and the increasing level of outbound travel from MENA to other world regions.
Speakers at the Ministerial Forum, moderated by CNN International’s Becky Anderson, included H.E. Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Bahrain; H.E. Mr. Nayef H. Al-Fayez, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Jordan; H.E. Mr. Michel Pharaon, Minister of Tourism, Lebanon; Mrs. Nada Roudies, Secretary-General, Ministry of Tourism, Morocco; H.E. Mrs. Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of Tourism, Oman; H.E. Mr. Issa Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Chairman, Qatar Tourism Authority; Mr. Abdellatif Hmam, Director General, National Tourist Office, Tunisia; H.E. Mr. Mohammed K. Al Muhairi, Director General, National Council of Tourism and Antiquities, UAE; Mr. Helal S. K. Al Marri, Director General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai, UAE and H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, UAE; Mr. Antoine Medawar, Vice-President MENA region, Amadeus; Mr. Amine Moukarzel, President, Golden Tulip Hotels, Suites & Resorts MENA; Mr. Hussein Dabbas, Regional Vice President, Africa & Middle East, International Air Transport Association (IATA); Mr. Gerald Lawless, President and CEO, Jumeirah Group and David Scowsill, President & CEO, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
