On the sidelines of his participation in the 126th session of the Executive Council of UN Tourism, currently being held in Toledo, Spain, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy began his official meetings with a bilateral meeting with Ilin Dimitrov, Minister of Tourism of Bulgaria, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation.
During the meeting, the two ministers discussed mechanisms for boosting two-way tourism by strengthening air connectivity and encouraging airlines to increase flights between the two countries, as well as supporting professional meetings between tourism sector representatives in both countries, organizing joint promotional roadshows, implementing joint training programs to build the capacity of tourism and hospitality workers, exchanging expertise and exploring joint promotion opportunities for tourist destinations.
The meeting also discussed opportunities for cooperation and benefiting from Egyptian expertise in museums, archaeological excavations and restoration, as well as partnership with the private sector to provide tourism services at archaeological sites and museums, as was done at the Grand Egyptian Museum and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
During the meeting, Sherif Fathy pointed to the facilities offered by the Egyptian state in travel procedures and obtaining tourist visas, helping to improve the tourist experience and increase arrivals.
The tourism minister also held a meeting with Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and open wider horizons for cooperation in tourism between the two countries.
The two ministers began the meeting by stressing the depth of the close fraternal relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which are a key pillar for expanding areas of cooperation, especially in tourism, praising the notable development of bilateral cooperation in the recent period and affirming their keenness to continue joint coordination to serve common interests.
The meeting addressed ways to boost two-way tourism between the two countries, as well as discussing the impact of regional developments on the tourism sector, with both sides stressing the sector's ability to adapt to challenges and maintain performance levels.
They also discussed the challenges facing the aviation sector, especially amid rising operating costs, and the importance of maintaining continuous air connectivity between tourist destinations, supporting the stability of tourist traffic and accelerating its recovery.
During the meeting, Sherif Fathy reviewed the major events recently hosted by Egypt, especially in the Giza Pyramids area and at the Grand Egyptian Museum, and their success and positive international reception, reflecting the ability of Egypt as a destination to host global events in a safe and stable environment.
For his part, the Saudi tourism minister praised the level of distinguished bilateral relations between the two countries, conveyed the greetings of Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah to Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, and congratulated him on the success of this year's Hajj season and Egypt winning the Labbaytum Silver Award.
