3rd Arab Tourism Security Forum Calls for Unifying Tourism Security Standards 

 

 

Doha, October 11 (QNA) - The 3rd Arab Tourism Security Forum stressed the importance of unifying tourism security standards in the Arab world to at least a minimum, in order to keep pace with the tremendous development in international tourism.

    This came during a session on cybersecurity, data security, and electronic crimes in the context of Arab tourism and its development, with a special focus on setting unified standards in the field.

    The session was moderated by director of the Centre for Research and Security Studies at the Police Academy Lt Col Dr. Jassim Mohammed Al Obaidly and included three topics: event security,  Artificial Intelligence applications, and mechanism to counter credit card fraud crimes targetting tourists.

    CEO and President of Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat) Eng. Alhamedi Alanezi, Major General Dr. Ehab Al Amawi representing the Egyptian Police Academy and security expert  on counter-terrorism, organized crime, and information security, along with Strategic Development Director at the Arab Information and Communication Technologies Organization Eng. Sami Trimech.

    Eng. Alhamedi Alanezi said that the importance of the tourism sector in supporting national economies, makes unifying tourism security standards an urgent endeavor. He added that even agreeing on a touristic service standard minimum would rise tourist confidence and enrich their tourism experience, expressing his hope that the Arab Tourism Organization adopts such standards.

   Alanezi emphasized that tourism has become an important industry and economic resource, requiring joint efforts to offer comprehensive and safe services for tourists to spend an enjoyable experience and building a reputation for countries seeking leadership in this sector.

     Arabsat CEO and President noted Gulf Corporation Council countries' success in transforming tourism from its traditional form to a new open space that is constantly evolving, in addition to developing tourism services and enhancing tourism security, be it in terms of securing touristic locations or in terms of tourist protection in the wider sence of the term.

    In this context, Alanezi highlighted the State of Qatar's expertise in sports tourism and the country's ability to innovate, materialize, and utilize technology to offer advanced touristic services, making the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 experience easier and more enjoyable for all visitors, tourists, and athletes.

    Arabsat CEO and President also touched on the success stories and expertise of other GCC members such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the tourism sector.

    Eng. Alhamedi Alanezi called for taking advantage of technological developments and artificial intelligence to enhance tourism capabilities, especially for remote areas in Arab countries.

    In turn, Major General Dr. Ehab Al Ammawi said that because of the tourism sector's economic importance, there is a great international interest in cybersecurity, especially in the tourism sector, particularly in regards to cybersecurity governance standards.

    He explained that cybersecurity governance standards consist of legislation, standards, policies, and procedures, stressing that these four aspects are very important to enhance tourism security, adding that governments and countries must impose controls and oversight.

    Al Ammawi also stressed the importance of having a comprehensive Arab framework for the provision of safe touristic services aided by clear guidebooks, together with a parallel effort to raise social awareness on the matter in partnership with social institutions, explaining that security is a collective responsibility.

    He praised the State of Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 by saying that it reflected a high degree of planning based on an empirical approach, in addition to conducting follow-ups, assessment, measurements, and partnerships, leading to this great success.

    Eng. Sami Trimech discussed the dangers of cyber threats on tourism and how they became a lucrative source of income for fraudsters, calling for utilizing artificial intelligence to counter such threats.

    Trimech also touched on the efforts of the Arab Information and Communication Technologies Organization to set a joint Arab strategy for the protection of personal data. (QNA)