Egyptian Minister of Tourism Welcomes UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Call for Lifting of Unnecessary Bans on Travel and Tourism

MALAGA, Spain, May 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

UNWTO Invites the World to Visit Egypt 

The Egyptian Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Yehia Rashed, today welcomed the UNWTO's call for the lifting of any unnecessary bans on travel for tourists.

The UNWTO comments were made at the start of the UNWTO Executive Council meeting in Malaga Spain. This meeting marks the start of Egypt and Minister Yehia Rashed chairing the Executive Council of the UNWTO for the next 12 months and the session focused on the issue of security and tourism.

In today's session the UNWTO also invited the world to visit Egypt and to be positive and optimistic about global tourism, especially in countries such as Egypt. The UNWTO called on the world to work to defeat terrorism so that tourism can develop. It also said that the global tourism movement is a cornerstone for both international economic and human development.

Responding to the UNWTO comments, the Egyptian Minister of Tourism, Yehia Rashed warmly welcomed the comments. He said:

"I fully support the UNWTO's positive message today that all unnecessary bans on travel and tourism should be lifted. Egypt has taken significant positive steps in addressing security issues and the UNWTO's support is to be warmly welcomed. I call upon all those countries who currently possess flight restrictions to consider the UNWTO's request positively.

"The support of such an influential United Nations body inviting the world to Egypt marks the start of a great opportunity for Egyptian tourism. With Egypt chairing the UNWTO Executive Council for the next 12 months I look forward to many more positive developments."

SOURCE Egyptian Ministry of Tourism