First Arab tourism conference opened in Damascus

Under the patronage of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, the first session of the Arab ministerial council for tourism opened in Damascus on Monday, and Syria was represented by Premier al-Zou'bi.

In an inaugural speech, the Syrian Premier noted that special attention should be accorded to united Arab agricultural, industrial and trade planning and the unifying laws and regulations conducive to eliminating all obstacles placed in the way of pan-Arab cooperation and coordination with the objective to realizing not only Arab tourism integration but Arab economic integration as well.

The Syrian Premier underlined the importance of making tangible efforts to set up the long-awaited Arab common market and free trade zone in order to keep pace with international changes and to acheive Arab solidarity.

In a similar speech, Arab League Secretary-General Esmat Abdul Meguid called for encouraging and promoting Arab tourism, due to the important role of tourism among Arab states. He added that the council will support "all the efforts aiming at reaching practical resolutions and recommendations that serve the Arab tourism industry."