Tourism Board (JTB) is organizing a Regional Conference on 13 and 14 November 2017 Tourism in MENA Cities

WTTEN- Under the auspices of the Jordanian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) is organizing a Regional Conference on Tourism in MENA Cities: Competitiveness for Sustainable Growth in Amman, on 13 and 14 November 2017, in collaboration with the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) and Lawrence & Husseini Consult and with the technical support of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The UNWTO considers Sustainable Urban Tourism as an economic activity with a high potential to stimulate local economic growth because of its complementarity with other economic activities, its contribution to GDP, job creation, foreign exchange and services exports. This process builds a quality visitor experience and in the meantime safeguards and enhances the quality of life for the local community by providing economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits.

The United Nations 70th General Assembly has designated 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development (A/RES/70/193).This is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the contribution of sustainable tourism to development among public and private sector decision-makers and the public, while mobilizing all stakeholders to work together in making tourism a catalyst for positive change. 

The tourism Conference TMC, 2017 , which will be attended by Ministers of Tourism from the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as representatives of municipal authorities, the travel & tourism industry, destination management organizations, international organizations, the investment and financing sectors and academia, is expected to shape a new vision for enhancing the overall competitiveness and sustainable development of tourism in cities in the region. This will help stakeholders improve transparency, knowledge, professionalism and productivity, boost infrastructure and connectivity, promote innovation and harness the use of technology. 

The tourism Conference in Amman City will also provide a valuable platform for local and regional stakeholders to showcase their achievements in sustainable urban tourism development to the MENA region and to the world. 

Lastly, the Conference will include a signing ceremony “The Jordan Case”: UNWTO Private Sector Commitment to the Code of Ethics for Tourism designated for leaders of the Jordanian Travel & Tourism Private Sector to declare their commitment to the principles, policies and practices of responsible and sustainable tourism, enshrined in the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. Signatories representing heads of 6 leading companies and national associations in Jordan’s tourism sector will pledge their commitment to the UNWTO- Secretary General Taleb Rifai,