Arab tourism ministers conclude 4th session

The fourth Arab ministerial council on tourism concluded in Amman on Thursday by adopting a package of recommendations meant to promote a lasting development-oriented tourism in the Arab states.

The council also recommended a closer cooperation between the public and private sectors to activate investments and the implementation of the Arab summit resolutions related to Arab economic integration, through the development of transports, free-movement of people and encouraging development of tourism and environment protection in the Arab world.

The ministers also supported the liberalization of tourism services trade between Arab states and set up, in this regard a commission to draft a report on this issue, comprising Algeria, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and the council secretariat general.

The unified convention of Arab capital investments inside the Arab world should be considered as a reference for the use of Arab investments in tourism projects, the council stressed calling governments to speed up the privatization of state enterprises.

The council, which will hold its 5th session in Dubai, tabled several proposals meant to promote tourism in Palestine and support the training of Palestinian executives.

Regarding the negative incidence of the air blockade on tourism in Iraq, participants decided to submit the issue to the Arab Civil Aviation Organization and the Arab Union of Air Transports.