|
Oman International Conference for Environmental Tourism began
its sessions here on 26.2.2006. The conference is jointly organised by the
Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources and the
Ministry of Tourism. Over 400 participants from 22 countries along with
regional and international organisations are participating in the
conference.
The three-day conference inauguration ceremony at
Al Bustan Palace Hotel was presided over by Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al
Mantheri, president of the State Council.
Over 40 working papers will be presented in the conference in discussion
of a number of issues related to environmental tourism including the means
of developing and linking environmental tourism with sustainable development
projects.
Dr Mantheri stated that the conference would enhance the Sultanate’s
tourism prospects.
Dr Rajiha bint Abdul Ameer bin Ali, minister of tourism, said that the
outcome of the conference and its recommendations would reflect in the
tourism industry in the Sultanate. She further stated that environmental
tourism was considered to be the leading tourism attractive element.
Pointing at new tourism projects, Dr Rajiha said that a number of projects
would be announced in the future and this conference would assist the
Sultanate’s efforts to promote tourism.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Salim Al Rowas, minister of regional municipalities,
environment and water resources, said in his speech that the Sultanate had
always been aware of the importance of maintaining a balance between
development requirements and protecting the environment.
Rowas further said that the developmental plans adopted had always
stressed on the necessity to maintain and protect the environment by
adhering to the international standards related to this issue, endless
efforts to secure trained human resources and to support the institutional
and legislative bodies involved in all of the aspects of environment.
Rowas expressed hope that the conference would succeed in its intended
role in realising the concept of environmental tourism and identifying the
best approaches and strategies that would secure success for the
environmental tourism projects worldwide.
Dr Harib Al Habr, director of the UN Environment Programme for West Asia,
stressed on the importance of tourism which constitute 11 per cent of the
world GDP, considering the role it plays in national economies by availing
of job opportunities and as thus achieving ends targeted by development
programmes.
Representatives from the US, the UK, Nigeria, Malaysia, South Africa,
France, Egypt, Jordan, Singapore, Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the
UAE, Qatar and the Sultanate are participating in the conference beside
regional and international organisations.
The first session of the conference discussed issues relating to
sustainability and environmental tourism, the second session is set to
discuss the policies, plans and legislations relating to environmental
tourism.
The third session is expected to discuss issues of environmental tourism
industry and the fourth session will discuss the constructions of
environmental tourism.
The final session of the conference will be assigned to discussing the
environmental tourism applications.
The participants will engage in a tourist trip on the fourth day which
will include Ras Al Hadd turtle reservation and other tourist sites in the
wilayat of Bidiyah.
A number of workshops will be held during the trip where a number of
individuals concerned will have the opportunity to take part.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by a number of ministers,
undersecretaries and senior government officials.
|
