Kuwait stands by Egypt, Tunisia in bid to regain tourism status

SHARJAH, UAE, Dec 16 (KUNA) -- The 18th meeting of the Arab tourism Ministerial Council has expressed its support of Egypt and Tunisia in their endeavors to regain their tourism status after unforeseen tumbles, said Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah on Wednesday.
In a statement to KUNA after the meeting, he said that among the recommendations of the meeting was the need to pair culture and history in Arab tourism and to consider tourism as an industry of prime importance well positioned to boost Arab economies.
He noted in a speech at the meeting that Kuwait has joined the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in its keenness to combine heritage or history with culture as vital ingredients for meaningful tourism.
Moreover, he expressed Kuwait's chagrin at what has befallen Egyptian tourism due to the crash of the Russian airplane over Sinai desert last Oct. 31 with its negative ramifications especially the receding inflow of tourists to Sharm El-Sheikh.
In a gesture to shore up that situation, Kuwait implemented a direct air-route from Kuwait to Sharm El-Sheikh beginning on Dec. 5 in a bid to encourage tourists to fly to that vacation spot in Egypt, he said.
Sheikh Salman headed a Kuwaiti delegation to today's one-day meeting. (Pick up previous) hny.ajs