Contemporary Culture

The huge development in tourism, especially in the industrialised countries, has provoked within us the need to study the nature of tourism in the developing world also, and in particular in Islamic countries. In so doing, we benefit from the technical and scientific experience of the developed countries, helping in turn to develop flourishing tourism capacities within the Islamic world, as well as investing in the cultural and human wealth of these nations.

It is for this reason that Technological Consultancy and Publishing House (T.C.P.H. Ltd) has decided to produce the periodical magazine, Islamic Tourism Prospects, the first edition of which is in your hands now. Moreover, T.C.P.H. Ltd is also in the process of issuing a bilingual Arabic and English Tourism Encyclopedia comprising a series of individual volumes on different Islamic countries.

The aim of this project is to promote and develop tourism within, among and between Islamic countries, as well as with other countries more generally. Its goal is to introduce to a wider audience the rich cultural and tourist potential of Islamic countries, with fascinating articles on places of interest to those travelling within Muslim lands, and richly decorated with colourful quality photographs.

Producing the first edition of the first tourism magazine of its kind - concentrating exclusively on Arab and Islamic countries - was no easy or simple task. Indeed, considering the nature of the magazine on the one hand, and the quality of relevant topics on the other, together with the ability of contributors to expend special efforts to make the issues written about compatible with the objectives of the magazine, was a journey in itself.

This first edition is, then, the product of the efforts of our respected staff who worked both individually and collectively for the magazine, and who are renowned for their excellence in the fields of media and tourism. We take this opportunity, therefore, to recognize this effort and to thank all those who have contributed to the magazine, as well as those who will contribute articles to forthcoming editions.

We hope you will enjoy your magazine, and may God bless each and everyone!