Power talks on tourism backed by Dubai's ruler

Ministers of Tourism and aviation leaders will gather at the UNWTO/ATM Ministerial Forum to set a common agenda for seizing opportunities for future tourism growth, it has been announced.

Supported by Dubai’s ruler H.H. Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UN’s World Tourism Organisation will host the ‘Tourism and Aviation: Building a Common Agenda for Growth Forum’ at the up-coming ATM show, 7 May 2013.

The forum will highlight the central role of air transport in the future development of tourism and its contribution to the economy.

UNWTO forecasts international tourists to reach 1.8 billion by 2030, 52% of which will arrive at their destination by air, and says issues such as taxation, regulation, visa facilitation and climate change require a strong aviation and tourism agenda.

With the Middle East as a backdrop, the forum will explore how to remove current obstacles to the growth of aviation and tourism, discuss aligning transport and tourism policies and plans to promote connectivity between the ME and other world regions.

The conclusions of the meeting will serve as a basis for a broader global debate on aviation and tourism during the World Travel Market UNWTO Ministers Summit in London (November 2013).

Speakers at the ATM forum include H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, H.E. Mrs. Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State and Managing Director of the Higher Committee on International EXPO Dubai 2020, H.E. Mr. Hisham Zaazou, Minister of Tourism of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Alain Saint-Ange, Minister of Tourism and Culture of the Seychelles, H.E. Mr. Jamel Garma, Minister of Tourism of Tunisia and H.E. Mr. Issa Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Chairman of the Qatar Tourism Authority.