The Mediterranean, once the cradle of civilisation, has again hit the international headlines as a result of wrong decisions made by world leaders which, ultimately, led to the suffering in neighbouring countries being translated into one tragedy after the other. What is mostly disconcerting is the fact that the end to all this is nowhere in sight.

In the face of these developments many have passionately argued for ways how to stop tragedies from becoming the order of the day across the Mediterranean and accordingly presented a myriad of strategies for consideration by the international community. But many missed the wood for the trees in their attempt to find a quick fix because, indeed, the tragedies are not just about irregular immigration.

Key issues include: the situation experienced by many who are unemployed, including the youth, some of whom are so disenchanted they are turning to guns for solutions; loss of dignity by all those who, as a result of social and economic misery, have ended up being victims of the darker side of society; and the economy.

A lot has been said but little has been done and, while it is important to address emergencies, nobody seems to have identified a long-term sustainable solution for the Mediterranean. Indeed, it is acknowledged by all that this challenge is definitely not an easy one.

The Mediterranean is one of the rare borders in the world that separates two adjacent areas having opposite demographic characteristics and contrasted levels of development.

This region, through its diversity, is representative of the rest of the planet and is, thus, a life-size laboratory for the World Vision exercise.

In the meantime, Mediterranean countries are undergoing intensive demographic, social, cultural, political, economic and environmental changes, giving rise to many questions.

Where will these changes lead? What lies ahead for the Mediterranean countries? How will they confront the ever-increasing difficulties being encountered?

The good news is that the Mediterranean has a great story to share with the rest of the world, a story that has placed the Mediterranean region on top of the preference list of yesterday’s and, increasingly, today’s and tomorrow’s travellers. And this, we believe, could be a Mediterranean solution: tourism.

Tourism is a powerful motor that gears economies, sustains environmental conservation and leverages the development of societies. Tourism eradicates instability and exterminates warlords and power mongers because tourism feeds the many as it creates opportunities of hope for a better future.

Tourism is that economic and social powerhouse that can significantly emphasise the potential of strength through diversity

The foundations for tourism are already strong across the Mediterranean region, thus, it presents itself as a feasible and pertinent long-term solution. If managed right, tourism is not only sustainable but also easily adaptable and flexible to specific economic and social realities.

Though the way to achieve common quality tourism goals across the Mediterranean region is still a long way to go, it is certainly not impossible.

For thousands of years, there have been strong bonds among the peoples of the Mediterranean, due to the geography and history and linked by a common sea. Despite political, economic and cultural differences we now need to rediscover the fact that our destiny lies in solidarity and, in particular, that joint action is imperative to improve the environment in which we live through tourism.

A quick look at European history reveals that the principle being proposed here is very similar to the origins of the precursor of the present European Union, that is, the European Coal and Steel Community. That economic union was created in 1956 and provided for the pooling of coal, iron and steel production in Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany.

Indeed coal, iron and steel were key resources at the time in Europe and so presented themselves as the right basis for common interest that would lead to the achievement of a common goal: the attainment of economic growth and social development through stability and peace in the region.

In our case and in our times, tourism is definitely that economic and social powerhouse that is capable not only to circumvent differences among key players in the Mediterranean region but significantly emphasise the potential of strength through diversity.

The key word here is synergy and in all of this we believe Malta has a key role to play.

Why us? Because Malta’s economy depends on tourism and, therefore, it is a model of how economic and social growth can be fuelled despite limited resources. Malta is too small to be considered as a political or economic threat to any of its neighbouring Mediterranean countries, hence, the right driver for such an initiative.

Malta is a member of the EU, therefore it has an important say in this critical economic bloc for the Mediterranean.

Despite its size, Malta has the right passion and drive to act as a catalyst for the realisation of this vision.

Two years ago, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association started to spearhead an annual Mediterranean Tourism Forum, a conference with the objective to bring together stakeholders in the tourism sector with a specific interest in the Mediterranean region.

This initiative was an immediate success and the idea of tourism as the Mediterranean solution has started to spread like fire across various countries in the Mediterranean.

To push this agenda further and stronger, the MHRA has now set up the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation to take it forward to the next level.

The third annual Mediterranean Tourism Forum will be held in Malta in December and we are expecting that this event will again grow further as delegations from a good number of countries are expected. We expect entrepreneurs, NGOs and government representatives to attend the third forum.

We hope that this seed will grow in the years to come to bring the diverse countries together in peace for the benefit of all the people of the countries bordering this Mare Nostrum.

Tony Zahra is president of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.

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