The 12th Arab Conference of Officials Responsible for Tourism Security opened Wednesday, August 5, in Tunis, with discussions focusing on how modern technologies can strengthen tourism security systems across Arab countries.
Organized by the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, the conference is examining the development of a strategic framework for tourism security, efforts to combat the theft and cross-border trafficking of antiquities, and the sharing of member states’ experiences in the field of tourism security.
The event reflects “the Council of Arab Interior Ministers’ conviction of two undeniable realities: first, the importance of the tourism sector to the economies of all Arab countries, and second, the vulnerability of this sector, whose development remains closely linked to the existence of an appropriate security environment,” said Mohammed Ben Ali Koman, Secretary General of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers.
Speaking at the opening session, attended by representatives of tourism security services from Arab states, the League of Arab States and the Arab Tourism Organization, Koman stressed the importance of harnessing modern technologies to strengthen tourism security at a time of rapid digital transformation and the growing use of artificial intelligence.
He said these emerging challenges require tourism security systems to adapt to technological developments and highlighted the need to evaluate tourism security frameworks in each member state.
For his part, the president of the Arab Conference of Officials Responsible for Tourism Security, Al-Senoussi Saleh Al-Senoussi Saïd of Libya, said the meeting demonstrates “our countries’ commitment to strengthening cooperation and coordination in the field of tourism security.”
“Ensuring a safe and stable environment for tourists, tourism establishments and tourist sites is therefore a shared responsibility,” he said.
He added that this requires the development of security plans, the exchange of expertise, and the adoption of best practices to keep pace with rapidly evolving security challenges. He also stressed the need to make better use of modern technologies, enhance the preparedness of security services, and improve the skills of personnel responsible for tourism security.
“These efforts will help protect tourism assets, strengthen visitors’ confidence and reinforce the image of our Arab countries as safe and attractive destinations,” he added.
Morocco is represented at the conference by El Mahdi Karkas, head of the Tourism Brigade Service at the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), and Senior Police Officer Zakaria Touzani.
Following the conference, a second meeting of the joint committee comprising experts and representatives from the interior, justice, tourism and culture ministries of Arab states will be held to draft a model Arab law on the protection of antiquities and national heritage.
