The May-June issue of Islamic Tourism Magazine introduces the concept of educational tourism, a market niche waiting to be developed. Dr. Ala Al-Hamarneh documents a trip to Egypt by 23 German Geography students and four teachers from the University of Mainz, headed by the director of the Centre for Research on the Arab World, Professor Gunter Meyer, who spent three weeks in Egypt last February and March.
The publisher Mr A. S. Shakiry focuses on religious tourism and the developments and improvements necessary to make life easier for pilgrims. The response of the Muslim world to the tsunami disaster is also highlighted as is the need to respect nature rather than trying to control it.
In another exclusive report from Iraq, Walid Alwan, Islamic Tourism’s Baghdad correspondent, tells the story of the Qadirya Mausoleum, shrine of the famous Sufi Leader Sheikh Abdul-Qader Al-Jilani, which is still caring for Baghdad’s needy residents and providing free meals.
This year Spain celebrates the 400th anniversary of the birth of the extraordinary world famous work Don Quixote - 2005 has been nominated as Cervantes Year. The state has established cultural tourist centres in the region where the adventures of the novel took place. Kadhim Shamhood Tahir traces the journeys of Don Quixote and provides a penetrating flash of insight into the Islamic influences on this immortal literary masterpiece and its author.
Zeina El-Cheikh visits Al-Khawabi Citadel in the Syrian costal city of Tartous. Al-Khawabi citadel is unique because it has been continuously inhabited through different historical periods which have all left their imprint on its history.
Four hundred exhibitors promoting tourist attractions in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales took part in the British Travel Trade Fair 2005 held at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre in March. Islamic Tourism’s Assistant Editor, Karen Dabrowska, described how Britain’s contact with the Middle East brought an Arab flavour to two of the major tourist attractions in Wales: Cardiff Castle and Cardiff Bay (formerly Tiger Bay). The magazine also reports on the 39th Berlin International Tourism Exhibition, the 9th East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition (Emitt) held in Turkey and the 4th OIC tourism minister’s conference held in Senegal.
Ian Stalker, a regular contributor to Islamic Tourism, describes two of Tunisia’s major attractions: Sifi Bou Said and the deserts in the south of the country, a paradise for eco tourists. The coastal Tunisian community of Sidi Bou Said has been charming visitors for well over 1001 Arabian nights, with those visiting the cliff-side towns discovering a world of blue-and-white buildings in a setting also highlighted by orange and palm trees, collectively creating what to many may seem like the quintessential Mediterranean community. From North Africa there is also a feature about Essaouira, the rising star of Moroccan tourism.
Derrick McGroarty basks in the delights of Brunei which he describes as an abode of peace and wealth. His article focuses on the mosques and two outstanding museums: The Royal Regalia building dedicated to the history of the sultans where a massive gilded coronation chariot dominates the entrance hall and the Brunei Museum, an attractive elongated building which documents much of Brunei’s culture. Motaz Othman describes Indonesia and there is also a short article on Goa in India. In addition, there are articles on Vietnam, Lefke in Cyprus and India’s eternal tourist attraction, the Taj Mahal.
Islamic Tourism is a magazine published in English, French, Spanish and Arabic. Its website (www.islamictourism.com) publishes weekly news bulletins in the four languages. You can browse the news free of charge and read past issues of the magazine. Your comments are always welcome and will be gratefully received. |