Tourism software can pave the way for greater interaction between nations / Compensate for the historical backwardness of tourism in Islamic countries with comprehensive media cooperation and synergy
According to Arias Heritage correspondent, Engineer Seyyed Ezatullah Zarghami today, Tuesday, July 28, 1401, at the 11th Conference of Tourism Ministers of Islamic Countries, hosted by Azerbaijan and held in Baku, delivered his speech with this noble verse of the Holy Quran: ثُمَّ اللّهُ يُنْشِئُ النَّشْأَة الْآخِرَة / نِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كَلٍٍِّ قَدِيرٌ “began with the officials and added:” “I would like to express my sincere condolences and the successful holding of the 11th Conference of Tourism Ministers of Islamic Countries.”
The Minister of Heritage, Culture, Tourism and Handicrafts said: “I have.”
Engineer Zarghami continued: “I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran, as one of the founders of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, has appeared very active in the Conference of Ministers of Tourism of this organization. The hosting of the first and seventh sessions of the conference in 2000 and 2010, respectively, testifies to this claim. “I hope that in this conference we will be able to discuss together the issues related to tourism of all member countries in a way that we can see a better future for the development of tourism in OIC member countries.”
He added: “As you are aware, in recent years, tourism has become one of the fastest growing sectors and drivers of economic growth in the world. Prior to the Corona epidemic, travel, tourism, and direct, indirect, and induction jobs accounted for 10 percent of the 333 million existing jobs and more than 10 percent of world GDP. International tourists, meanwhile, have spent $ 1.8 trillion on their destinations, accounting for 6.8 percent of the world’s total exports. “Undoubtedly, these economic effects of tourism play an important role in creating employment and prosperity in local communities.”
The Minister of Heritage, Culture, Tourism and Handicrafts reminded: “But the important point is that tourism, in addition to the economic dimension, has a spiritual and humanitarian aspect that has been strongly emphasized by Islam. In this regard, the Holy Qur’an in several verses advises us to travel to other lands with the aim of better understanding the world around us, observing the way of life and livelihood of other peoples and learning from the lives of other nations. Is an example of them. Therefore, it can be said that the spirit of these verses indicates the undeniable link between intangible heritage and tangible human heritage. “In fact, this aspect of tourism is so valuable that it can provide a good place to promote cultural exchanges, strengthen solidarity and create peace among all nations.”
“We live in a world where an increasing number of OIC member states have fallen victim to extremism, aggression and terrorism,” Zarghami said. As you know, security and military tools alone are not enough to deal with terrorism, and special software is needed to deal with this phenomenon. “This software is nothing but tourism, because it can pave the way for more nations to interact and bring peace, stability and security to the region and the world.”
He added: “In addition, the emergence of Islamophobia has exposed many Muslims to racism, negative prejudice and anonymity. As a result, Muslims, whether native or immigrant, experience a sense of insecurity in their daily lives and are denied their basic rights. “I would like to extend my congratulations to all Muslims on the recent UN General Assembly resolution designating March 15 as World Anti-Islamophobia Day.”
The official added: “The resolution emphasizes that terrorism cannot and should not be attributed to any particular religion, nationality, civilization or ethnicity, and that international action is needed to pave the way for a global dialogue to promote a culture of tolerance and peace throughout the world.” “Levels should be strengthened.”
He added: “Achieving a bright future for the Islamic Ummah depends on unity, convergence and increasing participation between Islamic countries and other members of this Ummah. “Increasing cultural, economic and trade cooperation between OIC members in various fields and strengthening the relevant infrastructure is what Islamic countries need today.”
“Undoubtedly, one of the most important areas of cooperation is tourism,” said the Minister of Heritage, Culture, Tourism and Handicrafts. It is not necessary to mention that the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation have high capacities and capabilities in the field of different types of tourism such as religious and pilgrimage tourism, health tourism, nature tourism and ecotourism, cultural tourism, sports tourism, maritime tourism, food tourism and so on. “Therefore, these countries should have a larger share of international tourists.”
“According to the latest available data, only 250 million of the 1.4 billion international tourists in the world have visited the OIC member states before the outbreak of the corona virus,” Zarghami said. Therefore, all OIC members should do their utmost to introduce the tourism potential of the world and encourage their citizens to visit each other’s countries. In this regard, Islamic beliefs and mirrors are the basis and background of intangible human culture that must be properly introduced to the people of the world. “In addition, lawful and Muslim-friendly tourism is considered as a competitive advantage for the promotion of tourism flows among Islamic countries, and it is worthwhile to address its specific framework, policies and strategies at this conference.”
He added: “On the one hand, tourism is the right of all people in the world, and on the other hand, most of the world’s sights are located in the geography of Islamic countries. According to this premise, it is necessary for both the Islamic countries and the international community to properly and adequately provide the necessary conditions for the world to visit these sights so that they are not deprived of this right. This is what is commonly referred to in the World Tourism Organization as “Available Tourism”. “The purpose of ‘accessible tourism’, which is in fact a symbol of respect for Islamic human values, is that access to travel should be provided to all people of the world of all ages, genders, social classes, incomes and physical abilities.”
The Minister of Heritage, Culture, Tourism and Handicrafts continued: “In fact, by providing ‘affordable tourism’, especially cheap travel packages, as one example, family-centered tourism, which has always been emphasized by Islamic teachings, can be promoted among member countries.”
“The role of the local community in tourism development, which is also the motto of the conference, is another issue that needs special attention from tourism decision-makers and planners,” he said. The local community is the main link in the chain of tourism value that should benefit from the positive economic, cultural, social and environmental effects of tourism such as direct income, employment, nature protection and preservation of indigenous culture. In recent years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has paid special attention to local communities through the establishment of ecotourism resorts and agricultural farms. “I officially declare the readiness of the Ministry of Heritage, Culture, Tourism and Handicrafts to transfer the experiences gained in this field.”
Zarghami continued: “While appreciating the member countries for supporting the selection of Tabriz as the OIC tourism capital for 2018, I am very pleased to announce that we made this selection on April 25 of the same year with the presence and participation of officials and guests. “We celebrated the national and international senior and officially unveiled it.”
The Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts added: “The capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the face of the Quid 19 epidemic, including in the field of vaccine production, have prepared the country for months to resume domestic tourism and re-admit international tourists. “We hope to see the flow of tourism among Islamic countries once again, especially the demonstration of Muslim unity during the Hajj, as the epidemic of the corona virus subsides and human security is fully protected against this destructive virus.”
He added: “I strongly believe that we, the participants in this conference, as representatives of Islamic countries, can help each other to develop and prosper tourism in the Islamic world, and thus witness security, stability, peace, prosperity and well-being. Be a community. “To this end, it is necessary to quickly compensate for the historical backwardness of tourism in Islamic countries with the full cooperation of the media and the expansion of members’ capacities in this field.”
The Minister of Culture, Tourism and Handicrafts noted: “Once again, while wishing a useful discussion and exchange of views during the working sessions of the Summit, I would like to express my utmost appreciation for the efforts of the organizers of this event.”