15 October 2017
UNWTO Extends H.E Shaikha Mai Title as “Special Ambassador for Sustainable Tourism” until the year 2019
In grateful appreciation of your untiring efforts in spreading awareness about the importance of sustainable tourism concepts during 2017, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Tourism, the World Tourism Organization (WTO)'s has extended its Special Ambassador for Sustainable Tourism title awarded to her Excellency extended until 2019.
In his letter requesting the extension of this honour title to H.E Shaikha Mai, Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), expressed his deepest gratitude and thanks to H.E for her commitment to fulfill her functions and duties as Special Ambassador for Sustainable Tourism during 2017. Dr. Rifai added that this request extension honor is “in appreciation for H.E strenuous efforts during this year in helping the spread of values and quality concepts of sustainable tourism for economic, cultural development, protection of the environment, and in appreciation for the crucial and central role and cooperation efforts that you’ve undertaken for mutual understanding and tolerance, and peace-building efforts”.
Speaking for the occasion, H.E expressed Shaikha Mai expressed gratitude for the WTO's “confidence in her developing Bahrain's infrastructures of sustainable tourism through cultural action to preserve national heritage considered as the identity of any nation and the source of its pride”. H.E also expressed special thanks to WTO Secretary-general Dr. Taleb Rifai “ who gave a new definition and meaning to tourism during his mandate as SC of the WTO in light of the current world events and changes in all fields, including culture and tourism”. H.E also pointed out saying “This title honors special ambassadors for sustainable tourism economic development, and at the same time charges them with the responsibility and the mission of making the world a better place. It presents a unique opportunity to explore and highlight tourism’s potential to help transform our world into a place of prosperity and wellbeing for all and local communities especially”.
H.E also highlighted the importance of “ investing in the cultural infrastructure and world heritage sites and create cultural event seasons in planning strategies for sustainable tourism for economic development”, lauding the continuous support and efforts deployed by the “ wise leadership to develop and uplift the cultural scene in Bahrain” . H.E also said that the Arab regional Center for World Heritage, which reflects the will and determination of the wise leadership to make Bahrain a regional world heritage preservation hub in the Arab world, is a clear proof of sustainability of tourism vision in the kingdom of Bahrain and its strong relation with historical, civilizational and universal heritage of humanity and peoples around the world”.
Worth to mention that on 24 March 2017 a ceremony, conducted at the Headquarters of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Madrid, Spain, H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa, the President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities and Chairperson of the Board of the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, has been appointed as Special Ambassador of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017. The ceremony was attended SC of the WTO, high officials and highly diplomatic and media figures.
