Saudi-based Arab Tourism Organization (ATO) has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to enhance corporate cooperation, and integrate and coordinate their efforts to establish relations in the tourism field.
The MoC also aims to develop partnerships between the public and private sectors in activities and projects that contribute to the sustainable development of the tourism sector in Arab countries.
UNWTO Secretary General Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili and ATO Secretary General Mr. Sherif Fathi signed the MoC on the sidelines of the 116th session of the UNWTO Executive Council, which was held in Jeddah.
The agreement aims to bolster the corporate and human capabilities, encourage investments, unify sustainability and quality indicators and standards, and the best practices for tourism governance and administration in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provide complementary and comprehensive tourist programs and projects with the highest international levels.
Dr. Walid Al-Hinnawi, the ATO Spokesperson, said that the organization’s participation in the Executive Council meeting is part of efforts to enhance cooperation between ATO and UNWTO to develop the tourism industry in ATO, noting that holding the meetings of the UNWTO executive council in Saudi Arabia for the first time highlights the recent developments in the tourism industry.
The kingdom’s efforts is to enhance its location on the global tourism map and allow other countries to get acquainted with national efforts exerted by the Ministry of Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to develop and enhance the tourism industry in a bid to realize the aspirations of the ministry and Saudi Vision 2030.
