be more innovative in terms of promotion and undertake a common
campaign for the Mediterranean
region as a global destination.
I: What role can the Foundation
play to increase better quality tourism to the region?
TH: The Mediterranean Tourism
Foundation might be a catalyst for
the tourism decision-makers in the
Mediterranean region to implement what I said before. Moreover,
the Foundation should be involved
in the challenges facing tourism in
our region, such as degradation of
the Mare Nostrum or degradation
of the environment in general.
Moreover, the Foundation may also
play an important role in enhancing cooperation and coordination
between Mediterranean destinations in terms of shared concerns.
It should be permanently present
on the international scene and collaborate closely with international
tourism institutions.
I: You have often said that every
time a government issues a notravel rule to a country or region
which has suffered a terrorist
attack that is letting terrorism
win. How can this defeatism be
defeated?
TH: Yes, I strongly believe that
governments that prevent their
citizens from going to spend their
vacations in destinations which
have been exposed to terrorist attacks are in fact helping the
terrorists’ agenda. In this context I would like to mention the
wonderful initiative of the young
Frenchman who placed his piano
in front of the theatre just after
the attack and began to play. It was
his message to those who want to
ruin our lives that life will go on in
spite of their bloody attacks.
I: Food and its culinary importance bind us together. But if we
look at what happened in Paris
on Friday 13th November, people
“Our response to this terrible and unforgivable crime against humanity should be a cry
of alarm to the decision-makers of the world to lead a common fight against those who
want to annihilate the world”
Tourism offers
opportunities for
fruitful dialogue
between cultures,
religions and
civilisations
who were dining innocently were
executed by crackpots shouting
slogans in favour of God. It’s all
well and good to say we have to
defeat this feeling of fear, of locking ourselves indoor s. But what of
those people who died, how can
their relatives not fear? And can
the maimed ever forget their experience?
TH: I agree. It is very hard for
them, for their families and even
for us to forget this terrible carnage. Our response to this terrible and unforgivable crime
against humanity should be a cry
of alarm to the decision-makers of
the world to lead a common fight
against those who want to annihilate the world, certainly not in the
name of God but of hidden devils.
I: The globe is today a multi-cultural melting pot. Is tourism the
answer to fighting prejudice and
intolerance? Or at least a good
starting point?
TH: Apart from its economic importance, tourism passes on a cultural message. From this point of
view, tourism is a catalyst for peace
and tolerance. Tourism offers opportunities for fruitful dialogue
between cultures, religions and
civilisations.