YU president sponsored the opening of the 5th International Conference: "Tourism and Peace: Way of Life", which was organized by the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management.
Researchers from Spain, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Algeria, Palestine, France, Oman, United Kingdom, and Jordan participated in the conference that lasted for three days.
In his speech, president Kafafi stated that the fifth Conference was given the title "Tourism and Peace: Way of life" because tourism means peace, respect and mutual understanding. He added that Jordan has a legacy of ancient civilizations that go back to thousands of years such as those of Ammon, Moab, Greeks, Romans, Nabataeans, Muslim Arabs, and Ottomans, adding that Ain Ghazal statues, the Mesha Stele, Petra, Jerash, Jadara among others stand as evidence of the sequence of those civilizations.
Kafafi pointed that the Faculty of Tourism in Yarmouk is one of the largest in Jordan, and is heading towards internationalization especially after the Bachelor program of Tourism Management was accredited by the World Tourism Organization TEDQUAL. He then thanked the faculty administration, teaching staff and students for their efforts to maintain the outstanding reputation of YU locally and internationally.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Shunnaq, the faculty dean, also pointed that the title of the conference was based on the fact that Jordan, which is in the midst of internal conflicts and wars, enjoys peace and security. He added that participants included researchers from various countries, official ministries in Jordan such as the Ministry of Tourism and monuments, Jordan tourism board, Irbid and Jerash cities, and representatives of the local community.
Al-Shunnaq added that organizing this conference came to confirm the relationship between tourism and peace, for tourism promotes peace and acceptance of the other, and peace encourages the flow of tourists to tourist destinations.
In her speech on behalf of participants, Dr. Maria José of Spain noted that Jordan is a well-known international tourist destination. She praised YU efforts in heritage and tourism research and thanked the organizing committee for this unique academic experience that serves as a good opportunity to exchange ideas, and build new projects that serve tourism.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Isa Qomoh, vice president, Dr. Anis Khasawneh, vice president, Dr. Fawwaz Al-Abed Al- Haq, director of Irbid tourism directorate, Ms. Mashael Khasawneh, Jerash mayor, Dr. Ali Qoqaza, several deans and faculty members and students.
