DOHA, QATAR — Qatar serves as a benchmark for security and sustainable tourism development, given its accomplishments over recent years, stated the Tourism Minister of the Lebanese interim government, Eng. Walid Nassar, during the 3rd Arab Tourism Security Forum.
Nassar emphasized that tourism cannot thrive, meet its objectives, or be sustainable without security. He lauded Qatar’s success in this domain, particularly highlighting the nation’s achievements in ensuring the safety of visitors during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
He remarked that Qatar’s experience in securing the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was noteworthy. The nation’s success in this significant challenge has inspired other regional countries to host, organize, and secure major events. Moreover, developed nations have benefited from the security standards that Qatar established during the tournament.
Nassar reiterated that security is a fundamental cornerstone for the growth of the tourism sector. This underscores the importance of organizing such Arab forums to discuss enhancing collaboration and sharing insights on tourism security.
Discussing a unified vision for Arab tourism development, Nassar mentioned that Lebanon has introduced a new tourism promotion initiative named “Arabian Roots and Routes.” This initiative was unveiled during Lebanon’s participation in World Tourism Day events in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It invites all Arab nations to participate, aiming to boost sustainable tourism across the Arab world.
Dr. Bandar bin Fahd Al Fuhaid, President of the Arab Tourism Organization, commended the continuous evolution of Qatar’s tourism sector. He spotlighted Qatar’s role in advancing collaborative Arab efforts in this arena.
Dr. Al Fuhaid noted that Qatar achieved remarkable success in 2023, securing the top global position in terms of tourism growth during the first seven months of the year, with an estimated increase of 95%. He congratulated Qatar on this achievement, which aligns with Doha’s designation as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023.
He noted that Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, combined with its outstanding success in organizing, securing, and managing crowds, offers a valuable experience. All Arab countries can draw from this expertise when organizing major international events and enhancing their tourism sectors.
Dr. Al Fuhaid expressed his appreciation to Qatar for hosting the 3rd Arab Tourism Security Forum. This event is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Interior and the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. He highlighted the partnership between the organization and the council, aiming to advance the Arab tourism sector.
The forum is themed “Security and Comprehensiveness of Tourist Destinations.” It focuses on key pillars such as green tourism, governance, digital transformation, and inclusive tourism.
Dr. Al Fuhaid hopes that the 3rd forum will produce recommendations that build upon those from the 2nd forum, held in Al Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Tourism Capital for 2019. He emphasized that security is foundational for tourism development.
He remarked that security and tourism are intrinsically linked. Most Arab countries prioritize the safety and security of tourists, ensuring a stable tourism sector.
Dr. Al Fuhaid discussed the organization’s initiatives to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic dealt a significant blow to the tourism sector, especially in the Arab world, resulting in losses exceeding USD 300 billion.
However, he highlighted that the Arab world’s tourism sector has fully rebounded post-pandemic, witnessing an over 15 percent increase in inbound tourism compared to 2019 figures.
Dr. Al Fuhaid emphasized the organization’s role in bolstering the tourism sector’s resilience against pandemic repercussions, given the sector’s economic importance.
Major General Osama Mohammed Khalaf, director of the Arab Bureau for Security Awareness, Information, and Human Rights, commended the choice of Doha as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023. He praised its rich cultural heritage, captivating tourist attractions, and the remarkable development it’s undergoing across various sectors.
Major General Khalaf observed that Qatar captured global attention during the exceptional FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The country leveraged the event to showcase Arab and Islamic cultural values, and he acknowledged Qatar’s success in ensuring the event’s security.
The 3rd Arab Tourism Security Forum, spanning two days, commenced on Tuesday. Themed “Security and Comprehensiveness of Tourist Destinations,” it’s part of the “Doha Arab Tourism Capital 2023” festivities.