Oman takes part in global tourism meet in Cambodia

Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi attended the conference on tourism in Cambodia

Muscat: Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi, accompanied by a delegation from the Ministry, attended the World Conference on Tourism and Culture in Siem Reap, Cambodia from February 4 to 6, 2015.

The opening ceremony was held on February 4.

The ceremony was presided over by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, prime minister of Cambodia, with speeches from Dr. Thong Khon, Cambodia's minister of tourism, Lok Chumteav Phoeurng Sackona, minister of culture and fine arts, Dr. Taleb Rifai, secretary-general of Unwto and Madam Irina Bokova, director general of Unesco.

In his speech Al Mahrizi spoke of the importance of participating in the conference and how it would open a new page on providing great opportunities for all participants to exchange experiences, visions, ideas, and key strategies for the benefit of the tourism and culture sectors.

He also referred to the expansion of cultural routes, alongside the flourishing creative industries, opening up of interesting opportunities to create new tourism products.

Dr. Rifai said, "The Unwto/Unesco World Conference on Tourism and Culture will bring together, for the first time, ministers of tourism and ministers of culture with the objective of identifying key opportunities and challenges for a stronger co-operation between these highly interlinked fields."

In addition, Dr. Rifai stressed, "this development has made tourism one of the leading socio-economic sectors of our time, accounting for 9 per cent of global GDP, 30 per cent of the total exports of services and one in 11 jobs around the world."