Tourism sector has the ability to build and sustain peace, create prosperity – President
The President of Malta delivered the opening speech at the Mediterranean Tourism Forum, organised by the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association and the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation. The theme of this year’s edition was ‘Hospitality of Tomorrow’.
Mrs Coleiro Preca said that since the MTF was established in 2013, a lot has changed in the Mediterranean region, as countries which were at the forefront of the tourism industry have suffered because of armed conflicts and instability in the region.
This state of affairs “emphasises the fact that without peace, there can be no prosperity.” The President also encouraged the delegates present for the forum to focus their deliberations on the ideals of peace and prosperity. “The vision of the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation is crucial because it brings people together for prosperity. The Foundation can be an effective medium for peace-building, which is so much needed in our region and beyond,” the President said.
‘‘I truly believe that in response, to this state of affairs, we must be even more committed to securing peace in the Mediterranean if we want to ensure prosperity.”
The President described the Mediterranean as a showcase of intercultural values, which can be further empowered through tourism, adding that the Mediterranean has the potential to be the place “in which the diversity of our cultures can be further nurtured for the enrichment of business and people.”
Tourism can be a powerful form of diplomacy and a strong opportunity for dialogue between diverse peoples and it provides an ideal platform from which one can strengthen political and commercial initiatives among diverse stakeholders with a common interest, she said.
‘‘Tourism can be a catalyst for the promotion of peace through cultural, entertainment, and sports initiatives, by fostering synergies between the peoples of the Mediterranean to attract visitors from all over the world,” President Coleiro Preca said.
‘‘We need to be innovative and forward-thinking, building on the successes, and also on the lessons learned from yesterday, in order to face the challenges of tomorrow. Positive peace is not simply the absence of violent conflict.’’