Tourism in Egypt has seen a rebound as recorded in the latest figures released by UNWTO and WTTC.
The country is hosting UNWTO’s Regional Commission meeting for Middle East for the second time year.
Speaking at the opening session of the 45th UNWTO regional Commission meeting of Middle East, the Secretary General of The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili said, “Egypt is a regional tourism leader and has shown on several levels how to diversify its economy for sustainable development” –
He was full of praise for Egypt and encouraged countries to take a cue from their model. The Secretary General used the commission meeting to present his report to Ministers of the Middle East and new #UNWTO initiatives implemented over the last year and towards the UNWTO General Assembly in September 2019.
The Egyptian Minister of Tourism H.E. Rania Al Mashat underscored the importance of education and revealed plans to make tourism education part of school curriculum in the country.
The Director of the Middle East Department at UNWTO Ms. Basmah Al-Mayman expressed appreciation to Egypt for hosting the Middle East Regional commission for the 2nd time in row; mentioning that this a historic moment for us; as it has never happened before for a member state to host the commission meeting for second consecutive time, and she described it as an exceptional generosity from Egypt.
She also expressed how honored she is that her first commission meeting, since her appointment as Director of the Middle East Department at the UNWTO, is being held in Egypt.
The next commission meeting for the Middle East region will be held in Saudi Arabia, which will be the first time the country will be hosting the event since it joined the UN Tourism body.