President of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, participated in the closing ceremony of the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 in Geneva, Switzerland.
At the invitation of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the BACA President participated in the event as a Special Ambassador for Sustainable Tourism for Development of 2017.
WTO Secretary-General Dr. Talib Al-Rifai, representatives of tourism sectors from around the world and a number of diplomats and media figures were present.
BACA President highlighted tourism, especially cultural tourism, as a vital development sector. She attached great significance to investing in tourism sector as an alternative to oil and energy sectors, saying it is also a crucial tool to build bridges of friendship with other nations to learn about their cultures, traditions, arts and folklore.
She stressed the importance of tourism, especially cultural one, as a key development sector, commended the WTO efforts that have clearly contributed to drawing the attention of international community to tourism sector.
She stressed the need to translate the WTO set visions to achieve national accomplishments in line with the UN sustainable development goals.

Source: BNA