Africa’s Tourism Leaders Discuss Plans for Sustainable Recovery

The 64th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) was held on the island of Sal, with a representation of 23 countries. As many as 21 ministers of tourism joined five ambassadors for the event. Opening the Commission meeting, the President of Cabo Verde, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, welcomed UNWTO’s leadership and the delegates. He was joined by Prime Minister Dr. Ulisses Correia e Silva, and Carlos Jorge Duarte Santos, minister of tourism and transport, Cabo Verde, in reaffirming political support for tourism, and recognition of the sector as a driver of recovery and sustainable development.

Chaired by Christine Kaseba Sata, ambassador of Zambia to Spain and permanent representative to UNWTO, delegates addressed the biggest challenges against the sector’s safe restart across the continent. The importance of speeding up vaccine rollouts across the continent was emphasized, besides security issues that continue to have an impact on how global travelers perceive Africa as a safe tourism destination. Also on the agenda was the current level of connectivity between destinations, with improved air links and the harmonization of travel protocols was identified as an effective means for boosting regional tourism.

Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili provided an overview of UNWTO’s work during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and how this is driven by the stated priorities of its African Member States. He said, “The continent is united in its determination to use the power of tourism to drive development and opportunity for all. And with coordination and targeted investments, African tourism can finally fulfil its unique potential.”

In Cabo Verde, UNWTO members were briefed on the development of the “International Code for the Protection of Tourists,” a landmark code aimed at helping rebuild trust in travel. Members were also presented with an overview of the UNWTO General Program of Work and Budget for 2022-2023. Additionally, signaling a shared determination to keep moving ahead even in challenging times, members also held elections for key positions within UNWTO decision-making bodies ahead of the 24th General Assembly.

Running in parallel with the Commission meeting, UNWTO hosted capacity building workshops on innovation, investment and digital marketing. These workshops were held ahead of the second edition of the UNWTO Global Tourism Investment Forum, opened by Prime Minister Dr. Ulisses Correia e Silva and were attended by investors from Germany, Spain, Switzerland and the U.S., besides public- and private-sector leaders from across Africa. UNWTO also launched its new Brand Africa publication at the event. Produced in collaboration with key African tourism partners, the publication aims at helping destinations use effective branding to diversify and attract tourists.

In addition, the UNWTO Declaration on the Future of Mobility and Sustainable Transportation was also signed at the event. The global declaration is a commitment aimed at the better understanding of how investments can help make the sector greener while encouraging greater cooperation between tourism authorities and transport providers. Concluding the Regional Commission meeting, UNWTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Cabo Verde. The MoU aims to enhance cooperation between UNWTO and the Ministry of Tourism to strengthen the country’s branding, boost tourism education initiatives, and support research focusing on the socio-economic impact of sustainable development of tourism across Cabo Verde.

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