Egypt is paying great effort to boosting tourism: Mashat

CAIRO – 9 May 2018: Tourism Minister Rania al-Mashat said that Egypt's government is exerting significant efforts to boost the tourism field due to its role in increasing the country’s economic growth and income, and in creating new job opportunities.

During her speech at the 44th meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Commission for the Middle East in Sharm El-Sheikh on Tuesday, Mashat expressed her pleasure that Egypt hosted the conference, hoping that it would only be the beginning of further development and progress in the tourism field.

Mashat also pointed out to Sisi’s meeting with secretary general of the World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili, affirming that several issues were tackled during the meeting that took place on May7, including developing the human resources working in the tourism field as one of the most important elements that contribute in the field's advancement.


Tourism Minister Rania al-Mashat during her participation at the 44th meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Commission for the Middle East in Sharm El-Sheikh on May 8, 2018 – Press Photo


She explained that there are three significant elements that would help develop tourism, including human recourses, creativity and technology. The conference is going to include more in-depth discussions on these three elements, according to Mashat.

During Pololikashvili's speech in the conference, he thanked Egypt’s Tourism Ministry for hosting and organizing the conference, praising the country’s increasing keenness to boost tourism.

Pololikashvili considered the conference to be a “great chance” to discuss all tourism related suggestions and complaints. He affirmed that the conference's main purpose is to support the small projects and the new, creative ideas and to enhance the friendly relations between countries, which will play an effective role in developing tourism.

Pololikashvili also commended the noticeable 5 percent increase in the number of tourists visiting the Middle East in 2017, wishing the region constant stability and development.

Mashat met with several officials on the side lines of the conference, which is scheduled to run on May 8, 9, in Sharm El-Sheikh, including Sudan's Minister of Tourism, Antiquities and Wildlife, Mohamed Abu Zaid Mustafa, and Syrian Tourism Minister Bisher Riyad Yazigi.

It is worth mentioning that Yazigi praised Egypt’s hospitality amid the very special political conditions the Syrian people are going through.



Tourism Minister Rania al-Mashat during her participation at the 44th meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Commission for the Middle East in Sharm El-Sheikh on May 8, 2018 – Press Photo