Revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia have created “a better environment” for business and “made tourism stronger”, according to the head of the UN World Tourism Organisation.
But UNWTO secretary general Taleb Rifai said events in the Middle East and North Africa also show business development cannot be separated from human rights.
Rifai told a WTM seminar on The Future of Tourism in the Middle East and North Africa: “Many important tourism destinations of today – Greece, Spain, Portugal – were ruled by dictatorships 40 years ago. Tourism has become stronger and healthier with democracy.”
He said: “The rule of law and transparency create a better business environment.”
Referring to the Middle East and North Africa, he said: “There is a chance to bring the region closer together, to make it more integrated and to promote a healthier and more sustainable tourism.”
Egypt tourism minister Mounir Abdel-Nour said: “In the short term we need a peaceful transition to a democratic state.” Egypt is currently rule by the military, with a six-month cycle of elections due to begin late this month.
Abdel-Nour said: “Then we have to diversify markets, knock on doors in India and China, and diversify product. We need to become an upmarket destination . . . [and] we need to plan to conserve our environment and historic sectors.”
Mehdi Haouas, tourism minister of Tunisia, said his country aimed to transform its tourism industry. “Our future is based on culture,” he said. “We want tourists to meet our people, our culture, our history.”
Jordan minister of tourism and antiquities Nayel al Fayez added: “We should be proud of what is happening in the region.”