Oman to host world tourism conference

Muscat: The Sultanate is gearing up to host the second Unwto/Unesco World Conference on Tourism and Culture on December 11 and 12 this year at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Taleb Rifai, secretary general, World Tourism Organisation (Unwto) said, “With its rich cultural heritage, Oman is the ideal host country for this conference. I look forward to welcoming all to Muscat to assess our collective achievements, reinforce partnerships and set a common agenda for tourism and culture to contribute to a better future for our world.”
The second edition of this international conference, which specialises in the field of cultural tourism is one of the most important activities of the year. The event is of particular relevance this year as it corresponds with the celebration of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism. More than 60 ministers of Tourism and Culture and CEOs from some of the world’s leading organisations are expected to participate in this event.
The conference will host more than 150 countries, and 300 individuals from abroad, as well as from the Sultanate.
“The Unwto/Unesco World Conference on Tourism and Culture is a landmark event bringing together tourism and culture ministers, as well as experts from both areas, to advance the contribution of culture and tourism to the United Nations 2030 Agenda,” added Rifai.
The Ministry of Tourism’s (MoT’s) organising committee, as well as its sub-committees, have also been preparing to host the conference; and have been following up with participants, to complete registration procedures and ensure smooth work-flow ahead of the conference.
The sub-committees have been continuously monitoring, supervising and studying all matters related to the participation, in coordination with the participating governmental bodies and institutions related to the tourism sector.
Salim Adi Al Mamari, director general of Tourism Promotions at MoT, and the chairman of the Organising Committee of the Conference, pointed out in a special statement to Al Shabiba that the committee and the sub-committees, which include seven specialised teams from the Ministry of Tourism and The Ministry of Heritage and Culture have already begun preparations to ensure all requirements that are needed for the success of the conference are met.
On the importance of cultural tourism Rifai said, “Cultural tourism is growing, and growing in importance, at an unprecedented rate. UNWTO has been working to strengthen the link between tourism and culture.”