Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) President Prince Sultan bin Salman at the event in Doha.

Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) President Prince Sultan bin Salman is leading the Kingdom at the 2nd edition of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) tourism ministers meeting in Doha, Qatar, to discuss a common tourism strategy and tourism integration among the Gulf countries to collectively promote tourism in the region.

Notably, inspired from the success of the European Union, a common currency like the euro and common police like Europol are already under consideration for the GCC.

“The ongoing second session of the GCC tourism ministers will discuss a number of topics related to upgrading tourism in the region and enhance cooperation among member states in the tourism and heritage sector,” an SCTNH spokesman said on Wednesday.

“The important issues topping the agenda of the meeting include the development of a common tourism strategy for the GCC countries with the focus on tourism integration among themselves, promoting bilateral tourism, offering programs attractive to tourists in the GCC countries with natural and heritage diversity that will attract Gulf tourists,” the official added.

Moreover, the meeting will discuss the Kingdom’s proposal for the development of the conventions and exhibitions sector as a key driver for tourism to achieve integration among the Gulf countries for smooth arrangement of events and exhibitions to avoid duplication and conflict, and work in cohesion to establish a solidarity between them, and prepare GCC cadres to work in conventions and exhibitions for mutual benefit.

The meeting also assumes significance as it will discuss a draft policy for the future of the tourism industry in GCC countries as well as the formation of a team to promote work in urban heritage conservation across the region.

The idea is to develop quality standards in the provision of tourism services and programs in a prestigious way, benefiting GCC countries in terms of fiscal and cultural segments.

Moreover, this meeting will also discuss preparations for a joint meeting of ministers of culture and tourism from GCC countries, which was already proposed by the SCTNH president earlier in cooperation with his Qatari counterpart.

GCC tourism ministers will also review ways and means to encourage GCC and foreign capitals to engage in the investment in tourism industry and participate in the formulation of the relevant regulations.

Moreover, industry experts in a discussion here recently also pointed out that Saudi tourism has potential to create a concrete change in the national economy and emerge as the future alternative of the energy resources as mainstay of the economy.

In Doha, Prince Sultan visited Mushaireb Center for enriching society, where he was received by Issa Al-Mohannadi, president of the General Authority for Tourism in Qatar, and the historic Souq Waqif.