The future of Tourism in the Middle East and North Africa

UNWTO & ATM present: The future of Tourism in the Middle East and North Africa
Date/Time: 09 Nov 2011 11:00-12:00 North Gallery Room 8
Chairperson: Imtiaz Muqbil Executive Editor Travel Impact Newswire
Speaker(s)
• H.E. Mr. Mounir Abdel Nour, Minister of Tourism, Egypt
• H.E. Mr. Ahmed Abdulla Al-Nuaimi, Chairman, Qatar Tourism Authority
• H.E. Mr. Ghassan Aridi, CEO, Alpha Tours, Dubai
• Guy Crawford, Chief Executive Officer, Jumeirah Group Dubai
• H.E. Mr. Mehdi Haouas, Minister of Commerce and Tourism, TUNISIA
• Mr. Tony Hopkins, UK Customer Director, Thomas Cook, UK
• Mr. Vijay Poonoosamy, Vice President for International Affairs, Etihad
Seminar Details
Introductory remarks by Mr Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
The Middle East has been one of the fastest growing tourism regions this century. International tourist arrivals grew from 24 million in 2000 to more than 60 million in 2010, generating as much as US $50 billion in export earnings for the destinations in the region. In North Africa growth has been equally strong.
This debate will look at how the changes in the region are affecting tourism demand, investment and employment and what can be expected for tourism in the Middle East and North Africa in the near future. The conclusions will set the agenda for the launch event of UNWTO & ATM Forum in Dubai in May 2012.