The two-day UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) summit being hosted by Qatar Tourism and Exhibition Authority will focus on the challenges facing the global tourism industry. The Qatar summit, which begins today, will have more than 30 top guests speakers from the professional, institutional and academic fields of the tourism sector. UN World Tourism Organisation Secretary-General Taleb Rifai and ministers of tourism from Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Syria as well as a group of panelists from Mexico, China, Spain and Middle East will also attend the event, to discuss the resource challenges facing the travel market. The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Energy and Industry, H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, will address the opening session. Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority, said: “Organising a UNWTO meeting is very important for Qatar. We look forward to hosting the delegates from all over the world and welcoming them with our signature Qatari hospitality. With our high standard of services and top-notch facilities, Qatar has become one of the most sought after destinations for meetings and conferences. We are delighted to welcome the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and we look forward to helping to facilitate productive meetings.” Qatar Airways is the gold sponsor, Dar Al Sharq and Qatar International Adventure are silver sponsors and Q-tel the bronze sponsor of the event. With an expected audience of over 250, the keynote speakers at the event will be H E Ahmad Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Exhibition Authority; Dr Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation; Kaled Alloush, coordinator of the United Nations in Qatar; Elie Marouni, Minister of Tourism of Lebanon and Chairman of the UNWTO Commission for the Middle East; and Dr Bandar bin Fahd Al Fehaid, President, Arab Tourism Organisation. During the two days, speakers will analyse the challenges and evaluate the implications of tourism trends and forecasts in the Middle East and North Africa on human resources. The summit will also showcase creative approaches on how to address issues facing international tourism in the region. Education and training of the workforce for the region for future needs of the sector is an integral topic to be discussed by speakers and panelists at the summit. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=April2009&file=Local_News2009042115616.xml

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