LOC17:12
14:12 GMT
By Hanadi Watfa
MADRID, Jan 27 (KUNA) -- The Middle East continues to lead global tourism recovery following COVID-19, with growth persisting in 2024, said a senior official at the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
In an exclusive interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) during the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUER 2024), Basmah Al-Mayman, UNWTO Regional Director for the Middle, said that in 2023, several countries in the region achieved remarkable milestones in their tourism recovery.
Al-Mayman said the Middle East witnessed the strongest performance among global regions in 2023, with a growth rate of 122 percent, explaining that it was the first region globally to recover pre-pandemic numbers in the first nine months of the year until last September.
Additionally, she noted, the Middle East was the only region to surpass 2019 tourism levels in the past year.
This can be attributed to the ease of obtaining visas, the emergence of new destinations, investments in tourism-related projects, and the security and economic stability in the region that hosted a myriad of major events such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the UAE's hosting the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28), as well as Dubai hosting the 2020 World Expo (Dubai Expo).
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia hosted significant sporting and entertainment events, while tourism in archeological sites increased in Jordan and Egypt, contributing to the overall tourism recovery in the region.
Moreover, Al-Mayman expressed great satisfaction with the collaboration of the Ministry of Information, representing Kuwait's tourism sector, and KUNA, pointing to upcoming joint programs with Kuwait, a founding member of the UNWTO.
She said visit to Kuwait in on the books to review opportunities and potential tourism projects, clarifying that the entire region is on the verge of new touristic horizons.
In addition, Al-Mayman encouraged qualified Middle Eastern ambassadors worldwide to promote visits to the Middle East and underscore the region's various cultural and social diversity, and unique tourism experiences.
The 44th edition of FITUR kicked off last Wednesday with the participation of 152 countries, including several Arab countries and will continue until tomorrow, Sunday.
Al-Mayman; of Saudi Arabia, is the first Muslim Arab woman to hold this position. She had repeatedly appeared on Forbes Middle East lists, first in 2020; the 13th most powerful Arab woman and the only female amongst travel and tourism leaders. (end)
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