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19th Arab Media Forum Held Virtually in Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum takes part virtually in the Arab Media Forum. (WAM)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum takes part virtually in the Arab Media Forum. (WAM)
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19th Arab Media Forum Held Virtually in Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum takes part virtually in the Arab Media Forum. (WAM)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum takes part virtually in the Arab Media Forum. (WAM)

Participants in the 19th session of the Arab Media Forum unanimously agreed on Wednesday that and Arab media in particular, the international media in general, have a role to play in demonstrating the forum’s credibility, helping it categorize truthful information and fake news, which has surged over the past few years.

Organized virtually by the Dubai Press Club, in adherence with COVID-19 precautionary protocols, the 2020 edition of the forum brought together prominent industry leaders to discuss the outlook for the region’s media sector.

Addressing the forum, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said: “I have been keen on attending the (Arab Media Forum) and honor the winners of the (Arab Journalism Awards).”

“Today I followed some of its virtual sessions held at a distance. Media is an essential partner in our path, and we look forward to the constructive messages that will serve our societies and contribute positively to building the future of the region.”

Held under the theme “Arab Media: The Future is Digital”, the 19th edition of the Arab Media Forum saw more than 10,000 people tune in to the Forum’s sessions, which were broadcast live on a special platform set up for the Forum and through the live feature on DPC’s official Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts. The Arab Journalism Award ceremony, which honored 11 outstanding journalists in the Arab world, was also broadcast live.

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Spain Set for Record Tourist Numbers in 2024 after First-Half Jump

FILE PHOTO: Tourists and residents drink on a street in Gracia neighborhood during a heatwave of the summer, in Barcelona, Spain August 19, 2023. REUTERS/Bruna Casas//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Tourists and residents drink on a street in Gracia neighborhood during a heatwave of the summer, in Barcelona, Spain August 19, 2023. REUTERS/Bruna Casas//File Photo
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Spain Set for Record Tourist Numbers in 2024 after First-Half Jump

FILE PHOTO: Tourists and residents drink on a street in Gracia neighborhood during a heatwave of the summer, in Barcelona, Spain August 19, 2023. REUTERS/Bruna Casas//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Tourists and residents drink on a street in Gracia neighborhood during a heatwave of the summer, in Barcelona, Spain August 19, 2023. REUTERS/Bruna Casas//File Photo

The number of foreign tourists in Spain jumped 13% in the first-half of 2024, putting the country on track for another record year for visitor numbers despite growing discontent over the impact of the holiday industry in some tourist hotspots.
For the six months to the end of June, 42.5 million international visitors arrived in Spain, with the month of June alone recording a 12% rise to 9 million as the busier summer period picks up, Spain's data agency INE reported on Friday.
That means 2024 is shaping up to be another record year for Spain, already the world's second most visited country behind France, making it likely it will beat last year's high of 85 million tourists, when numbers exceeded pre-pandemic levels, said Reuters.
But for some Spaniards in the most popular destinations including Mallorca, Barcelona and the Canary Islands, there is increasing unease about the influx of tourists and their impact on housing costs and locals have staged protests.
Earlier in July, a small group of anti-tourism campaigners in Barcelona squirted water pistols at foreign visitors, chanting "tourists go home", a demonstration that created headlines around the world.
Data showed that tourists spent 12.3 billion euros in Spain in June, 17% more than the same month last year, helping drive economic growth, but highlighting the challenge for a government trying to find the right balance between tourism and local interests.
A lack of affordable housing in Spain has been partly blamed on a boom in holiday lets on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com.
According to the data released on Friday, tourists are increasingly opting to stay in rented apartments. The number of visitors in the first-half of the year staying in that type of accommodation was up 30%, while those staying in hotels was up 11%.