Tight security steps shouldn’t restrict tourist movement

By Vinod Nair — MUSCAT: Dec. 13: GCC countries are taking several steps to simplify formalities and facilitate seamless inter-regional movement, especially with the introduction of e-visas. “All passenger data is screened before travel. The need to take tight security measures is no way a contradiction to making travel seamless. GCC has been one of the first few countries to accept this fact,” said Amr Abdel-Ghaffar, Regional Director for the Middle East and Senior Adviser on Tourism and Peace, World Tourism Organisation. Maitha al Mahrouqi, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, told the Observer that there are no restrictions on travelling within the GCC.

She, however, said discussions are being held on “opening up” travel between Arab countries. The matter has been taken up at various levels, including the foreign ministries in respective countries. She said Arab countries are focusing on boosting economy, tourism, investment and development in the GCC and Arab countries. Abdel-Ghaffar said in most regions of the world, more than 75 or 80 per cent of travel happens within the same region. In the Middle East and Africa, it is about 50 per cent and the situation can be eased with visa formalities, air connectivity, product development and diversification.

He said the total volume of tourist arrivals to the Arab world in 2015 is about 75 million, including inter-regional. It excludes domestic tourism. “It has grown over the past over years but at the same time tourists coming to countries like Syria, Egypt and Lebanon from markets like the Western Europe have decreased.”  “Globally, the industry has been doing very well. It is a very resilient industry and has been recording over the years an annual growth of four to five per cent. Last year, it recorded 4.5 per cent despite the geopolitical tensions, security and health challenges as well as uncertainty over the global economic outlook,” Abdel-Ghaffar said.

“In the Middle East, we have been facing a particular challenge in the perception of safety. But in the Gulf despite the challenges, the industry has seen a positive result in the first nine months of this year. Oman has been one of the star destinations on the map of this region, recording a double digit growth for three consecutive years now.”