TEHRAN (CHN) -- The first High Level Experts Group Meeting on Tourism of ECO Member Countries started Monday morning at Laleh Hotel in Tehran with the presence of high-ranking tourism officials and experts of the member countries of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) to discuss regional cooperation in tourism.

Mustafa Demirzen, deputy secretary general of ECO, recognizing Iran’s efforts for hosting this event, gave a briefing on history of formation of the Organization as well as conferences organized by ECO member states which aimed at development of their tourism industry and facilitating the flow of tourists between the member states.

“During the second experts group meeting of ECO member states on tourism which was held in Tehran in 1993, a number of issues were discussed by the participants among which was ways to facilitate visa issuance and exchange of tourism within the member states,” said Demirzen in his remarks. “The increase in the number of tourists as the subsequent rise of tourism revenue is indicative of the successful measures taken by the Organization in expanding tourism relations among its member countries.

Promotion of the tourism industry resulted in sustainable development and elimination of poverty in these countries and [as member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization] we must cooperate with each other in expanding this industry in the region,” added Demirzen. In an interview with CHN regarding the importance of holding the First High Level Experts Group Meeting on Tourism of ECO Member Countries, Deputy Secretary General of ECO said: “During this meeting, representatives of ECO member states will deliver their country reports and then some of the challenges tourists have in traveling to member countries of Economic Cooperation Organization will be discussed to prepare a draft plan of action. We hope this meeting would help the promotion of tourism exchange between member countries as ECO tries to ease the cooperation between countries to discuss the exciting problems and find solutions for them.” Dr. Mohammad Sharif Malekzadeh, CHTO’s deputy director in Tourism Affairs was the next speaker of the opening ceremony. In his speech, Malekzadeh said that holding of he First High Level Experts Group Meeting in Tourism shows “the significance of tourism industry in the region and its indisputable economic role in the present time.”

Referring to the Economic Cooperation Organization as “a manifestation of the will and determination of the countries which have gathered together in order to strengthen and improve their economic status in the international system,” he added that “In the era of globalization, the conclusion of regional accords among the developing countries is an appropriate method to keep away from marginalization.”

Iran, Pakistan and Turkey as the founders of the Economic Cooperation Organization, together with Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan comprise ECO member countries Bringing Iran as an example of a country which enjoys enormous tourism, historical, religious and natural attractions, Malekzadeh said that “[Iran] is among the top 9 countries of the world for possessing cultural and historical sites and among the top 5 countries of the world in terms of ecotourism attractions.”

“Prioritizing promotion of tourism exchanges with the regional countries; diversification of tourism market in the country through attracting pilgrimage, cultural, and natural tourists with an aim to generate employment and raise foreign exchange revenues and gross national product (GNP); access to an appropriate share of the regional and international tourism markets; and development of cultural ties with other countries are some of the most important progress Iran is seeking in the development of its tourism industry,” added Malekzadeh.

At the end, deputy director in tourism affairs proposed formulation of tourism plan of action for the ECO member states and invited the high-ranking officials and tourism experts of ECO member countries to present practical and realistic plans in a collective attempt to raise the region’s economic status and promote its tourism industry.

The meeting will run until Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Tourism, a means to benefit from diverse human potential: official

CHTO chief Rahim-Mashaii called on member countries of Economic Cooperation Organization to play a more active role in the development of regional tourism in a collective effort “to overcome human made difficulties and crises.”

Making an address at the inauguration ceremony this morning, Mashaii stressed the necessity for creating “acquaintance, relationship and dialogue among all members of the human community” through promotion of tourism in an “effort to overcome human made difficulties and crises.”

Here are excerpts of his speech: “The Meeting of Senior Tourism Experts from the ECO member states demonstrates the significance of and attention to development and expansion of all-out relations between the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization, particularly in the area of tourism.

“The presence of rich and abundant resources as well as cultural, historical, geographical, religious and tourism commonalities and being situated in a sensitive and strategic region have encouraged the regional countries to resolutely follow up development of regional cooperation in economic, technical and cultural spheres and employ all the existing and required potentials and mechanisms for presentation of these resource.

“The rise in the number of ECO member states from three (Iran, Pakistan and Turkey) to 10 during the Tehran Conference in 1992 is a clear manifestation of the strong will and resolution of the member states to institutionalize this objective within a unified establishment called the ECO. We have convened to promote our economic status in the international system and develop the grounds for our economic cooperation. Clearly in the age of globalization, regionalism among the developing countries would offer appropriate mechanisms to optimize the capabilities of each and every country.

“Any attempt that could create dynamism in different communities and strengthen the position of nations in mutual interaction and also support them in their relationship and solidarity would be a step forward in fulfillment of global unity. Development of global tourism and heeding the positive dimensions of its cultural exchanges are key steps in ensuring bright future a path going through the course of contact, acquaintance, understanding and friendship of people in different communities and treats everyone as a member of the big family of human kind.

“In this course of action, the potential of every community and nation is similarly recognized as a global potential for improvement of human life and building a bright and beautiful future and safeguarding them become a public duty. “Based on UNWTO forecasts, the total number of international tourists is anticipated to reach 1.6 billion in 2010. This shows the importance of tourism industry and reminds the governments and executive organs of the need to make sound planning and provide the necessary facilities for that purpose.”