Ministers of Planning and Tourism discuss activating Sub-Accounts Unit at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
04 January 2021
Dr. Hala
El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, met with
Khaled
Al-Anani, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities met to discuss several joint
files between the two ministries.
During
the meeting, the two sides reviewed plans and targets in the tourism sector and
the activation of the sub-accounts unit at the Ministry of Tourism and
Antiquities.
El-Said
said that the tourism sector has been one of the sectors most affected by the
novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Despite this negative impact, the sector
still enjoys development opportunities as it reassesses the situation,
alongside an improving performance.
This
includes an opportunity to use the temporary decline in traveler numbers to
raise the sector’s efficiency in terms of equipment and infrastructure, whilst
raising the efficiency of its employees, as well as structural and technical
matters.
El-Said
stressed the necessity of activating the role of the sub-accounts unit in the
tourism sector. This enables the state to analyze all data on tourism and build
a real strategy with realistic and achievable goals that are in line with Egypt
Vision 2030.
The
Minister pointed out that the Sub-Accounts Unit is useful in developing
realistic estimates relating to the size of tourism activity and setting the
necessary forecasts to achieve plans.
The
unit will also enable the state to evaluate the tourism sector’s performance as
well as its developmental impacts in light of its relationship with other
sectors in the national economy.
It will
ensure the standardization of data sources according to scientific concepts and
methodology.
Additionally
to this, the unit will facilitate analysis and comparison with international
activities in the tourism sector, to understand the competitive capabilities of
Egypt’s tourism.
Khaled
Al-Anani, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, confirmed that there is close
cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development in setting
the objectives and plans of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities at the
level of medium and long-term plans in harmony with Egypt's Vision 2030
The
minister also emphasized the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ great
interest in activating the Sub-Accounts Unit. Its success will be achieved by
providing accurate and organized statistics to identify tourism’s real
contribution to the national economy; analyzing the sector’s achievements;
evaluating performance levels; supporting investment decisions, and activating
and promoting tourism.
Al-Anani
said Egypt was able to achieve great success in the tourism and antiquities
sectors despite the COVID-19 crisis and has provided an important model for
work based on science and accurate planning.
The
minister announced the occurrence of discoveries that will contribute to
revitalizing the tourism movement, which has been affected worldwide due to the
pandemic.