Ashraf AboArafe
The 16th Meeting of the Arab Technical Committee for Tourism is being held on October 25–26, 2026, at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, starting at 10:00 a.m. each day, at the invitation of the Secretariat.
The Committee serves as the preparatory body for the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, scheduled to convene in the first half of December 2026.
The meeting’s agenda comprises approximately ten key items aimed at strengthening Arab tourism cooperation and advancing regional integration. Major topics include an initiative to activate joint tourism packages among Arab countries, the Arab Cooperation Agreement in the tourism sector, and a draft agreement on cooperation among Arab states to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property.
Discussions will also address initiatives to exchange expertise in tourism-sector regulation, promote integration between tourism and Arab civilizational and cultural heritage, develop a joint Arab plan to mitigate the impact of climate change on tourism, and advance medical tourism across the Arab world.
The recommendations adopted by the Arab Technical Committee for Tourism will be submitted to the Executive Bureau before being referred to the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism at its upcoming session in December 2026 for consideration, approval, and implementation.
The meeting underscores the importance of coordinated Arab action to strengthen tourism partnerships, protect cultural heritage, address environmental challenges, and unlock the region’s shared tourism potential.
