Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism is set to sign cooperation protocol with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education to teach students and increase their awareness of the importance of the tourism sector for the economy, according to the Minister of Tourism, Rania Al-Mashat.
Al-Mashat added that the human element that works in the tourism sector must have a specific nature, and this is what the faculties of tourism and hotels in Egypt are interested in. She asserted the importance of linking the technical educational curricula with the needs of the tourism labour market.
Her remarks came during her participation in a ministerial discussion on education and employment in the tourism sector, which was held on the sidelines of the 23rd session of the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), from 9 to 13 September in Russia’s St Petersburg.
Al-Mashat referred to the importance of technological advancement and digital transformation in the tourism industry, because of its great impact on the efficiency of management and sustainability.
The minister highlighted the launch of Egypt’s Tourism Reform Programme (E-TRP) in November 2018, which aims to develop the Egyptian tourism sector.
Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism aims to turn the sector into a sustainable industry, consistent with the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Meanwhile, Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the WTO, declared that the UNWTO has chosen 2019 as the year of education and job creation in the tourism sector.
He asserted that tourism is one of the main pillars of the economy.
Al-Mashat declared earlier that the tourism sector is considered a key component for growth and employment in the country, stating that it accounts for 20% of Egypt’s GDP.
Globally, the world tourism movement increased by 6% in 2018, contributing $8.8tn, accounting by 10% of the world economy, and 30% of the world services exports, according to the latest data from the UNWTO.
