Dubai, India (PressExposure) October 26, 2010 -- The importance of communication and cooperation among regional tourism bodies was stressed as one of the most important means to boost the development of tourism in the GCC region. This was underlined at the 9th meeting of the Tourism Cooperation Commission of the GCC, which was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia recently.
The meeting, which attracted participation from all the regional tourism councils from across the region, addressed ways of upgrading the Gulf tourism industry by increasing mutual cooperation and boosting partnership initiatives among the members.
The UAE was represented at the meeting by the delegation from the National Council for Tourism and Antiquities, led by Director General, Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb Al Muhairi.
Al Muhairi underlined the importance of communicating with the member states of the Cooperation Council in develop intra-regional tourism. He was confident that the recommendations made by the conclave would go a long way to boost the regional tourism industry.
Alongside the meeting there was a joint meeting for the Committee of Tourism Cooperation and the Gulf Tourism Committee. They discussed many issues of common interest to develop the tourism industry in the GCC countries and issued some recommendations including mandating the Secretariat in coordination with the Federation of GCC Chambers to organise a symposium on the issues affecting tourism in the GCC countries, and what these facilities and potential countries have for tourism projects.
It also recommended supporting organizers and developers of tours to the GCC countries by helping them to overcome their difficulties, and increasing the numbers of citizens working in the field of tourism through appropriate incentives.
The meeting discussed ways of tourism cooperation with the countries of the European Union, and encouraged the participation of the GCC and the European Union countries in tourism fairs held in the GCC countries.
The meeting also reviewed ways of promoting inter-Arab tourism and it was agreed to facilitate easier travel between GCC countries for both residents and those from outside the region.
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