Arab tourism ministers discuss coronavirus pandemic challenges

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RIYADH: An emergency meeting of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism on Wednesday discussed challenges facing the region’s tourism sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb said: “This meeting is held under exceptional circumstances to discuss ways to overcome the repercussions of the pandemic and stimulate the tourism sector.”
He added: “The Saudi government presented a set of financial stimulus activities of more than $61 billion to preserve jobs and businesses and alleviate the economic burden of the crisis. This has benefited the local tourism sector, which is considered one of the main economic sectors. The support covered 60 percent of the wages of Saudi private sector employees for three months.”
The meeting also identified the measures needed to preserve the safety of tourists and work with governments and international organizations to include the travel and tourism sector in economic recovery programs.”