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First T4P Conference Summary
25 January 2005
Tel Aviv, Israel
Minutes of
First T4P Conference meeting CLICK
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Resolutions of First T4P Conference Click
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The Peres Center for Peace,
in cooperation with the Israeli Hotel Managers
Association, held a regional tourism conference, the
first of its kind in five years, entitled: "Regional
Tourism in the Middle East - a New Era". The conference
took place on 25 January at the Dan Panorama Hotel in
Tel Aviv. This conference, which grew from efforts to
create dialogue between the Palestinian and Israeli
tourism sectors, sought to strengthen the working
relations between regional tourism industries.
30 Egyptian, Jordanian,
Palestinian and Israeli tourism professionals took part
in the conference. They discussed issues including the
possibilities for regional cooperation in promoting
tourism to the area and the main obstacles to tourism,
such as restrictions in the freedom of movement. A joint
resolution was drawn-up and presented in the public
symposium which followed the discussions:
The participants agree:
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Tourism
promotes peace and peace promotes tourism. Tourism
contributes to economic growth, employment and the
quality of life. A joint study on the impact of
regional tourism on economic stability should be
conducted.
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Freedom
of movement for tourists and professionals from the
tourism industry, between countries and throughout
the region, is a necessary condition for success,
and governments are urged to do their utmost to
achieve this goal.
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The
forum will established a working group that will
deal with issues of security, freedom of movement
and travel visas and raise these issues to the
relevant authorities.
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The
forum will organize joint marketing activities to
promote tourism to the region and between countries
within the region.
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The
forum will cooperate within the field of human
resources and vocational training, by means of
exchange programs between hotel staff, tour
operators and more.
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The
forum will hold a regional conference at least once
a year, entitled: "Tourism 4 Peace Forum."
The public symposium that
followed the discussions was attended by over 200 people
(tourism professionals, journalists and the general
public). Speakers, including Vice Prime Minister Shimon
Peres, Dr. Saeb Erakat, Minister of Negotiations for the
Palestinian Authority, Professor Israel (Izzy) Borovich,
Chairman of the Board of El Al airlines, and the
representatives from the Jordanian, Egyptian,
Palestinian, and Israeli tourism sectors, discussed
issues involving changes and trends in tourism in the
region and emphasized that joint efforts are necessary
in order for the region to prosper and attract tourists.
A constructive, positive atmosphere reigned throughout
this successful conference. |
