The Union for the Mediterranean and the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost cooperation on tourism in the region.

The agreement was signed in Malta by the Secretary General of the UfM Fathallah Sijilmassi and the President of the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation Tony Zahra, together with its Secretary General, Andrew Agius Muscat, in the presence of the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

The agreement focuses on the development of synergies and ways of collaboration to implement projects and initiatives across the Mediterranean with a view to capitalise on tourism’s potential to advance sustainable economic growth, environmental protection as well as intercultural dialogue, tolerance and understanding.

“This collaboration between the UfM Secretariat and the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation highlights the commitment of both parties for peace-building through tourism. Tourism is a constructive means for peace and prosperity as it is an ideal sector to bring people together from diverse cultures,” said President Coleiro Preca.

“The importance of tourism for the economy of the Euro-Mediterranean region, as well as its potential for growth and its impact on job creation and cultural understanding cannot be ignored. Through this agreement, the UfM will capitalise on its role as regional platform to foster synergies and promote concrete initiatives in the field of tourism,” said Fathallah Sijilmassi.

The UfM Secretariat and the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation will collaborate in this field in coherence with the UfM Roadmap for Action, endorsed by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of UfM Member States in January 2017, in Barcelona. The UfM Roadmap acknowledges the importance of tourism for the socio-economic development of the region. The UfM Secretariat signed recently another MoU with the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

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