PM meets with UNWTO chief over tourism cooperation

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh on Thursday met with the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili and Arab ministers participating in the Jordan-hosted 49th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Middle East.

At the meeting, also attended by Tourism Minister Makram Al Queisi, Khasawneh discussed strategies to boost cooperation and unity among Arab nations in the field of tourism, stressing the need for a regional tourism roadmap, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The prime minister highlighted the significant tourism and cultural legacy of the Arab nations, which offer great potential to boost the regional tourism industry and benefit local economies.

He said that Arab countries have common denominators, such as shared issues and interests, which they can use to benefit their economies, referring to the need to continue networking, building partnerships and benefiting from successful Arab expertise in tourism.

The premier said that the UNWTO's meeting could help outline the difficulties in the regional and global tourism sectors and exchange insights on developing the sector.

Khasawneh expressed his appreciation for the support provided by UNWTO to Jordan in enhancing its tourism product, referring to the Kingdom's efforts in developing tourism, catalysing investment in the sector and networking with the private sector, all of which were reflected positively in Jordan’s recent tourism figures.

For his part, Pololikashvili expressed appreciation to Jordan for hosting the meeting.

Pololikashvili noted that Jordan enjoys great tourism capabilities that can be invested in and developed to serve the Jordanian economy, stressing the importance of investing in the tourism sector, networking with the private sector and cooperating regionally in the field.

Tourism ministers from Arab nations praised Jordan for successfully hosting the meeting, and the positive outcomes that would help meet the tourism-related goals of member states.

They also commended Jordan's tourism potential and diversity, which will help support tourism in the Kingdom and serve the national economy.