:: Tourism security experts gathered to discuss Arab and international experiences at a scientific forum inaugurated at the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) on Tuesday.

NAUSS University Vice President Prof. Abdul Rahman Al-Shaer opened the three-day forum, highlighting the importance of tourism security, the key role of the media in popularizing a culture of national and international security, and the need to enhance security and stability by reviving and maintaining tourist attractions.

Al-Shaer in his welcome address thanked participants, which included delegates from France, Romania, Arab countries, experts and representatives from the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH).

He said the forum aimed to emphasize cooperation among the concerned bodies, the management of tourist and archaeological facilities, and provide the latest developments, highlighting technology used in the field of tourism security.

It also aimed to foster awareness, raising security skills at tourist attractions — especially for workers at tourist facilities and in crisis situations, and to inform participants of the latest global and regional security experiences.

In the opening session on Tuesday, experts from France, Romania, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) shared their experience of tourism security; what they are doing to enhance security and stability by reviving and maintaining tourism destinations, how to deal with security threats and how to promote a safe and pleasant stay for the tourists.

They also highlighted various tourism attractions in their countries and what their government are doing for tourism security.

The delegates speaking at the opening session included Geil Freidman (France), Gabriel Kreto (Romania), Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Habib (Egypt) and Col. Jasem Rashid Al Antaly.

On Wednesday, one session will be dedicated to the Asir region, including the legal aspects of tourism security organization. One session will discuss how to cooperate and coordinate in tourism security, another will discuss tourism security at islands and beaches, how to use smart applications for tourism security. The final session, on Thursday, will hear deliberations on people’s cooperation to improve tourism security.

The forum is within the framework of implementing the directives of Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, and part of the university’s efforts to combat terrorism and enhance ideological and intellectual security.