Promoting Tourism In Arab Countries

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30892, 27 October 1965, Page 13

Promoting Tourism In Arab Countries

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter) BEIRUT. The Arab countries are considering steps to ease travel formalities among themselves to encourage tourism. They include a single visa which may be issued by any Arab embassy in any foreign country and which will be valid in all Arab countries; abolition of passports for Arab citizens travelling between Arab countries; and reduction of customs duties and other frontier formalities to encourage foreign tourists.

These recommendations, put forward at the recent general assembly of the Arab Association of Tourist and Travel Agents, have been circulated to all the members of the Arab League. The general assembly also urged a reduction in Arab air fares and the creation of an Arab air transport association on the lines of the International Air Transport Association to fix the air fares between the various member states.

The Travel Agents Association urged the need to intensify tourist publicity abroad, and to establish unified Arab tourist offices to advertise tourist attractions in Arab countries.

A report by the association’s secretary proposed that the Arab world be emphasised as “the world of sunshine.” Arab governments were asked to encourage the establishment of a land between Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, and the United Arab Republic through Aqaba. Such a route would be financed by the governments concerned with the help of the private tourists interests. Later, the route would be extended to North Africa through the United Arab Republic.

The association also asked member countries to encourage linking the Arab East with the Arab Maghreb (North Africa) by means of

an air network, whose fares would be fixed in consultation with the Arab League. Since its establishment, the association, which has 162 full members and 68 associate members, has held its general assemblies in various Arab capitals. Its headquarters are in Beirut. Among its achievements have been the reduction of hotel charges in certain “off season” periods and an agreement with Arab airlines to reduce prices to encourage inter-Arab tourism and the flow of foreign visitors.

Distribution of souvenirs, showing of films on Arab countries, and competitions in designing tourist posters are some of the activities planned by the association as incentives to promote tourism in the Arab world.