QatarDebate event underscores tourism’s role in cementing Gulf identity

The role of tourism in bringing people from across the region closer and fostering cultural exchange between the GCC and the world was the focus of the first ‘Oasis of Dialogue Forum’ in Oman, a statement from QatarDebate Centre said Sunday.
While many participants emphasised tourism’s contribution to promoting a shared Gulf identity, others voiced concerns about its impact on undermining the region’s identity.
Titled 'Identity and Tourism in the GCC,' the forum was organised by QatarDebate Centre and Oman Debate in partnership with Oman’s Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth and under the patronage of Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al-Said, governor of Dhofar.
The five-day event, which kicked off on January 5, welcomed a number of GCC officials and over 50 talented youth from various Gulf countries for two days of intense workshops, sessions, and panel discussions.
On January 6, the region’s first-of-its-kind forum hosted a session on “National Identity in the GCC” moderated by A Maryam al-Kharbooshi, director of Cultural Identity at the Omani Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth.
Al-Kharbooshi emphasised the key role the forum plays in developing students’ debating skills and empowering youth to express their opinions and ideas with confidence. The forum, she added, offered students the opportunity to grow, network, and expand their knowledge at the GCC level.
The forum featured a special session on “Identity and Tourism in the Gulf”, attended by prominent decision-makers and GCC officials, including Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al-Said, HE Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary general of Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, and Saad al-Rumaihi, president of the Qatar Press Centre.
Touching on the topic of tourism and Gulf identity, Qatari student Mohammed Al-Buainain from Texas A&M University said recreational tourism may to some extent undermine the region’s identity with the revamp of tourist destinations to entertain foreign visitors. “However, it also contributes to fostering cultural exchange between people from the Gulf and other nations. Tourism contributes to establishing cultural communication, as we have seen in Qatar and other countries during international forums,” he added.
Kuwaiti student Abdulaziz al-Enezi from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, explained that tourism can enrich the culture of Gulf citizens while cementing their identity as they endeavor to introduce tourists to their local culture. “It also pushes people across the Gulf to immerse themselves in a global identity distinct from their local and regional culture.”
Journalist Raghad al-Nahari, on the other hand, highlighted the role of tourism in enhancing cultural communication with the world. “This was evident when Gulf countries hosted international events that contributed to raising awareness of local cultures and promoting them globally.”
Building on the forum’s success, QatarDebate Centre and OmanDebate will pursue coordination and joint efforts that date back to September when they inked an MoU to promote dialogue and foster intellectual growth and critical thinking as well as cultural and scientific exchange.