Muscat – The Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism has reaffirmed its commitment to support the Palestinian cause while emphasising the importance of greater regional integration in the tourism sector.

The 27th meeting of the council, chaired by the Sultanate of Oman – represented by Ministry of Heritage and Tourism – was held on December 11 and 12 at the Secretariat General of Arab League in Cairo, Egypt.

During the meeting, H E Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, highlighted the vital role of tourism in driving the Arab economy. He stressed the need to foster stronger tourism ties among Arab countries and called for adoption of partnership models that engage governments, the private sector and international financial institutions. Such models, he explained, are essential for ensuring sustainable growth of the tourism sector.

The meeting resulted in several decisions aimed at advancing Arab tourism. These include pro-viding enhanced technical suppo-rt to Palestine under a strategic development plan for Jerusalem, implementing relief and development projects, and activating an emergency response plan for the tourism sector. Discussions also explored creation of an ‘Arab tou-rism region’ by developing a document that highlights the tourist destinations of Arab nations to be showcased on the Arab League website as a promotional tool.

One of the key proposals discussed was establishment of an Arab financial institution to fund and promote investments in tourist destinations. This would help Arab countries develop local content, create job opportunities and meet sustainability goals. It would also focus on addressing challenges like climate change, fostering community engagement and supporting national products.

H E Mahrouqi stressed the importance of integrated and sustainable solutions to tackle the challenges facing the tourism sector. He reiterated the shared vision of elevating tourism as a key economic driver, enhancing the region’s global profile, and fostering inclusive economic, social and cultural growth.

The council placed special emphasis on accessible tourism, announcing the preparation of a guide for catering to people with special needs. It also declared December 13 as Arab Day for Accessible Tourism. To promote sustainability, an annual Sustainable Tourism Award for Arab countries was introduced, encouraging tourism institutions to adopt eco-friendly practices and support sustainability goals.

The meeting welcomed the decision on Iraq as host of Forum on Comprehensiveness of Contemporary Tourism Destinations in April 2025. It also examined studies on the impact of climate change on the Arab tourism sector and plans to establish a virtual Arab observatory for tourism innovation to strengthen economic intelligence in the sector.

Addressing post-conflict recovery, the council pledged support for Sudan’s tourism sector by prioritising restoration and maintenance of war-affected tourist sites. Technical and logistical assistance will be provided to help Sudan’s tourism industry recover and contribute effectively to reconstruction and economic growth.