Tourism in Middle East and North Africa : A Strategy to Promote Recovery, Economic Diversification and Job Creation
Often described as the cradle of civilization, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region boasts rich cultural assets, and is the historical origin of major religions including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. This cultural heritage, coupled w...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Brief |
| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2014
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2013/01/17278091/tourism-middle-east-north-africa-mena-strategy-promote-recovery-economic-diversification-job-creation http://hdl.handle.net/10986/20572 |
| Summary: | Often described as the cradle of
civilization, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region
boasts rich cultural assets, and is the historical origin of
major religions including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
This cultural heritage, coupled with the region s rich
natural wonders, has made tourism a critical sector for
economic and social development in the region. Tourism is a
vital source of foreign exchange earnings, infrastructure
investment, and cross-sectoral linkages. Even more
importantly, the sector is a key source of job creation that
can help MENA countries move from low value manufacturing
into higher value-added service oriented activities. As many
countries in the region transition to new governments,
economic reforms can be undertaken to liberalize the sector,
breaking down monopolistic market structures that prevent
new entrants and stifle innovation. Similarly, there are new
opportunities to develop a full-suite of tourism services
(ecological, cultural, and religious tourism). Effective
reform in the sector will require structural and regulatory
changes that promote competition, strategic investment in
infrastructure, targeted marketing, and a focus on training
to address labor-skill mismatches, particularly for women
and youth. |
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