Academy members were saddened to learn of the recent death of Salah Wahab who passed away in Cairo, Egypt, on April 16, 2009.

Dr Wahab was a Charter Member of the International Academy for the Study of Tourism and organised a most successful and rewarding meeting of the Academy in Cairo in 1995. He was Professor of Tourism Management in the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels at the University of Alexandria. He was also President of Tourismplan, an affiliate member of the World Tourism Organisation.

Not only was Professor Wahab an authority on tourism in Egypt and the Mediterranean Region, he was a learned advocate and judge in the Egyptian legal system. He published widely on the management and promotion of tourism and the legal aspects of tourism as a business and was a key contributor to "The Encyclopedia of Tourism", edited by Jafar Jafari and published in 2000.

I came to be closely associated with Salah during the preparation of the book, "Tourism Development and Growth" which we co-edited and was published in 1997. The book arose out of concern for sustainability in the context of tourism growth and development. The thrust of the book, echoed by the contributing authors, is that whereas tourism growth is inevitable, it can be managed sustainably and compatibly within environmental constraints.

For me, Salah Wahab will always remain an enduring symbol of the unique cultural and archaeological heritage that Egypt offers to the world of tourism and of the immense contribution he made to its development and promotion for the benefit of tourists and for its people and country he loved. Whether as charming host on memorable journeys along the Nile, or as guide to the wonders of ancient Egypt and the rugged splendour of the Sinai Peninsula, Salah could open doors to sights and scenes closed to others not so respected and honoured.

Personally, I have fond memories of the hospitality and kindness shown by Salah with his wife Mona by his side to myself and Jenny on our several visits to Cairo and Egypt. He will be greatly missed.