Arab ministers probe inter-Arab tourism increase

The 8th executive committee of the Arab tourism ministers will meet in Cairo next Sunday to probe means to increase inter-Arab tourism.

The three day-meeting will look into implementation of recommendations of the Arab Summit of Amman, especially those related to the development of inter-Arab tourism, measures to encourage and facilitate tourist flows between the Arab states, and the promotion of Arab tourism, especially at the level of investments, Arab League deputy-secretary, in charge of economic affairs, Abderrahmane Sahibani said.

The committee will also examine the consequences of the world tourism crisis on that of the Arab states, and examine a report on the liberalization of tourism services between the Arab states. Several Arab states, including Morocco, made many suggestions to the technical board of the council, on the basis of this report, Sahibani said.

He added that last September 11th incidents had a negative impact on air traffic and international and Arab transport as air traffic between the Arab world and the USA dropped by 50% and air traffic between the Arab world and Europe decreased by 35%. Air traffic also decreased by 40% in the United States and 38% in Europe.