Culture
Bridge to Peace: WTM (World Travel Market) to host the first meeting of the ministers responsible for tourism from Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain since the signing of the Abraham Accord agreements.
By Itzhak Rabihiya (SNN, Jerusalem), November 2, 2020 – At the initiative of the Israel Government Tourist Office in London, a historic encounter will take place on November 9 at WTM Virtual, the second largest international tourism fair, when the ministers in charge of tourism from Israel, UAE and Bahrain will come together for the first time on a virtual stage.
They will take part in a WTM Virtual session entitled Tourism: The Path to Peace in the Middle East, which will take place immediately after the Ministers’ Summit, on Monday 9 November. The ministers will discuss existing tourism opportunities, and the role that tourism can play in helping ensure peace in the region. The fair, which will be held in a digital format for the first time, will allow pre-arranged meetings and will provide a platform for industry representatives to publicize websites and marketing materials.
The Ministry of Tourism is assisting about 50 Israeli tourism companies to participate in the fair at the Israeli pavilion, which is estimated to cost £85,000. On day one of WTM Virtual, seven weeks after the historic agreements were signed, WTM will host an important discussion among tourism ministers from the three destinations.
Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Minister of Tourism for Israel; Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises for the UAE and H.E. Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Lydia Weitzman, Foreign Press Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism Tel: 052 3584395 Email: israeltourismministry@gmail.com https://new.goisrael.com Commerce and Tourism to the Kingdom of Bahrain and Chairman of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, will discuss the tourism opportunities now available and determine the role that tourism will play in helping to secure long-standing peace in the region.
The Abraham Accords, signed on 15 September, set in motion a host of business opportunities and intergovernmental agreements between Israel and the UAE, as well as creating exciting tourism prospects in the region for the first time. Concurrently, Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain also signed an agreement to launch full diplomatic relations.
As a result of the Abraham Accords, the Israel Transportation Ministry announced there will be 28 direct weekly passenger flights connecting Tel Aviv with Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Ministry of Tourism says that the agreements provide a basis for official dialogue between the countries and set new opportunities for tourism. Those involved hope tourism between the destinations will provide the chance to establish peace on a deeper level within the Middle East region.
WTM Senior Director Simon Press said, “The session will provide a fascinating insight into how co-operating on tourism and trade – encouraging people to engage with different cultures and experience new places, sample different food and take part in different activities – can advance peace. He went on to say, “WTM has always understood the unique way that travel promotes tolerance, empathy and cross-cultural understanding. When people travel, they form friendships, engage in dialogue and are able to see things from a different perspective. When flight paths open up, the prospect for new business becomes a reality, which creates wealth and opportunity for destinations and their citizens. The post-COVID possibilities are endless for this region and we’re excited that WTM Virtual has been able to facilitate such an important meeting and play a part in history.”
Tourism: The Path to Peace in the Middle East, featuring the tourism ministers of Israel, UAE and Bahrain, will take place on Monday 9 November, at 15.00 – 16.00 (GMT), 17:00 – 18:00 Israel time.
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