Major General Dr. Khaled Fouda, Governor of South Sinai, participated in the activities of the African Tourism Forum in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh, which began its activities today, Monday, and is organized by the international Rixos Group, in the presence of businessman Nasser Abdel Latif, Chairman of the Rixos Group, and the Turkish GMT Company for organizing exhibitions and conferences, in partnership. The strategy is with the Egyptian African Businessmen Association (EABA), headed by Dr. Yousry El-Sharkawy, and also the Investment Authority is a strategic supporter, and with the participation of an elite group of senior figures and front-line leaders in the African tourism sector, and a large group of ambassadors of African countries, Egyptian and African businessmen, and more than 2,000 From the international tourism sector from 35 countries.
Major General Dr. Khaled Fouda, Governor of South Sinai, said that the great importance of holding this important forum stems from the growing and inevitability of the role played by the tourism industry, and what it does in improving the summary of African countries in particular and the countries of the world in general, especially in light of the changes and challenges the world is witnessing. Regional and international, which delivered its speech to many countries of the world.
The governor explained that cooperation and teamwork between those involved in the tourism and investment sectors have become inevitable in light of these changes, which confirms the interest and attendance of more than 2,000 participants from around the world, in addition to many ambassadors of African countries, tourism experts, travel agencies and tourism authorities from more than 30 countries participate in this forum, and the importance of the forum is reflected in the invitation of hundreds of experts and specialists in the field of tourism from dozens of European and Arab countries.
The Governor expressed his hopes for the success of this forum and achieving the best positive results for all participating countries, through discussions and identifying the challenges and risks facing the tourism sector, while evaluating the available and possible investment opportunities in this field in order to develop clear and implementable strategies and policies in the future. It should be based on ambitious visions that depend on integration and cooperation among all, and avoid destructive delays, which will achieve good for all.
He pointed out that the countries of the African continent have enormous potential that will facilitate them to occupy the highest locations on the global tourism map, and the most prominent of these capabilities are thousands of kilometers of beaches and the best coastline in the world. Hundreds of natural reserves, lakes, waterfalls, natural waterfalls, a picturesque environment, a solid and massive infrastructure, the most important of which is international airlines, and tens of thousands of kilometers of the best roads. And hundreds of bridges, tunnels, and hotels of different levels and types that suit all levels of tourists. Among these cities is the city of Sharm El-Sheikh, which received the United Nations certificate as the first for resilience and ability to withstand disasters and deaths on the continent of Africa in 2022, and in 2023, it received the Best Award. An Arab tourist city in organizing Arab tourism events and activities, and the governor won the best Arab official and development leader in a tourist city, and it won a bronze medal from the United Nations in 2023, as the third best city livable and coexistent in the world, and in 2024, it won the best destination. It is a safe tourist destination and a safe tourist destination in the world. It received the Golden Award as the best tourist city, and the Governor received the Man of the World Shield for the year 2024.
This forum is the first of its kind on the African continent, and aims to enhance cooperation in the field of tourism between African countries, attract foreign investments, and create new job opportunities for African youth.
The opening ceremony of the forum was attended by Ahmed Issa, Minister of Tourism, Nasser Abdel Latif, owner of the Rixos Group, Shisluk Meral, Director of the Turkish GME Company, and Dr. Yousry El-Sharqawi, President of the Egyptian-African Businessmen Association, along with a number of senior African officials and public figures, ambassadors of African countries, and members of African diplomatic and economic missions.
