Kuwait City: Kuwait Minister of Information and Culture, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Chairman of the Ninth Meeting of Tourism Ministers in the GCC, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, emphasized that tourism has emerged as an effective tool for supporting the economy and diversifying sources of income. During his address at the meeting, Minister Al-Mutairi extended greetings from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, expressing their wishes for the meeting’s success.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Minister Al-Mutairi highlighted the necessity of coordinating efforts and unifying visions to strengthen the tourism sector amidst global changes and challenges. He emphasized the importance of developing innovative tourism experiences to enhance the sector’s competitiveness and appeal to tourists both within and outside the region. The minister noted that GCC countries boast diverse tourism components, combining authentic heritage, cultural legacy, a unique natural environment, and advanced infrastructure. He called for the development of unified policies and strategies to enhance Gulf tourism cooperation and maximize benefits from available capabilities.
GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi congratulated Minister Al-Mutairi on his nomination as Chairman of the Regional Commission for the Middle East of the UN Tourism Organization. He also lauded Kuwait for being named the Arab Capital of Culture and Media for 2025, highlighting the Gulf region’s support for culture, arts, and Arab identity. Al-Budaiwi expressed pride in the achievements of the Gulf countries, which bolster their international standing. He congratulated the UAE on Al-Ain’s selection as the Gulf Tourism Capital for 2025, Oman on its new promotional identity, and Saudi Arabia on securing the 2034 World Cup bid.
Al-Budaiwi noted that the GCC tourism sector is undergoing significant transformation, driven by the directives of GCC leaders and the continuous efforts of the ministers. He expressed gratitude to the ministers for supporting a joint Gulf tourism event planned for the World Economic Forum in Davos next year, aimed at enhancing and showcasing the region’s global tourism efforts.