Arab nations address challenges to tourism during talks

JEDDAH, July 3 (KUNA) -- Arab tourism has witnessed a significant drop due to several reasons in recent years but the region is taking several coordinated steps to address this decline, Arab League talks here agreed on Tuesday.
In his opening speech at Arab League Supreme Coordination Committee talks in Jeddah, Head of the Arab Tourism Organization Bandar Al-Fehaid said this includes launching the Arab tourism capitals initiative, anti-poverty and unemployment funds and increasing joint investment in this sector.
Other steps include prizes handed to nations for efforts on the matter sponsored by benefactors, namely King Abdullah II of Jordan and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Issa Al-Khalifa.
For 2018, Jerusalem was chosen as the Arab tourism capital, and he underlined that the Palestinian cause was the number one priority for Arab and Islamic nations alike.
For his part, Arab League chief Ahmed Abulgheit urged the need for more coordinated efforts between Arab states in order for them to overcome challenges and threats to their stability and security.
These challenges include increasing poverty and unemployment, food and water security, healthcare, education, trade and tourism.
Joint Arab organisations also represent an important factor in achieving sustainable development in the region and responding to the needs of Arab nationals, he explained. (end) nsa.sd