Libya chairs Arab Conference on Tourism Security

Libya, represented by the Ministry of Interior of the Government of National Unity, chaired the 12th Arab Conference of Officials Responsible for Tourism Security, held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers in Tunisia. The conference was chaired by Major General Al-Senussi Saleh, head of the Tourist Police and Antiquities Protection Authority.

The conference opened in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, Mohammed bin Ali Koman, along with representatives of tourism security agencies from across the Arab world, to discuss ways of strengthening joint cooperation in protecting the tourism sector.

In his opening remarks, Major General Al-Senussi Saleh said Libya’s chairmanship of the conference reflects its commitment to advancing joint Arab cooperation in tourism security and strengthening efforts to protect archaeological and tourist sites.

He also stressed the importance of combating the trafficking of antiquities, improving cooperation mechanisms among Arab countries, and exchanging expertise and best practices in securing tourist destinations and heritage sites.

Participants discussed a number of tourism security issues, including the adoption of a model organizational structure for tourism security agencies in Arab states and enhancing security coordination to protect tourist and archaeological sites, with the aim of safeguarding the Arab world’s cultural and tourism heritage.

Tourism security is considered a key pillar in protecting the tourism sector, particularly in light of challenges posed by antiquities trafficking and transnational organized crime. Arab countries are working to strengthen coordination among their security agencies to improve protection measures and enhance the readiness of authorities responsible for securing tourist destinations and archaeological sites.