Africa’s tourism leaders identify investments as key to sustainable recovery

Despite the slow turn out in tourism in Africa caused by the pandemic and vaccination compliance the African Members of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have met in Cabo Verde to strengthen their cooperation and advance plans for recovery and sustainable growth.

The meeting held recently was the 64th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) of which 23 countries represented on the island of Sal, with 21 Ministers of Tourism joining five Ambassadors for the high-level event.

However, at the opening of the Commission meeting, the President of Cabo Verde, Jorge Carlos Fonsecaoffered a warm welcome to UNWTO’s leadership and to all delegates.

Meanwhile, during the meeting the President was joined by Cabo Verde’s Minister of Tourism and Transport, Carlos Jorge Duarte Santos, and Prime Minister Dr. Ulisses Correia e Silva in reaffirming support of the highest political level for tourism and recognition of the sector as a driver of recovery and sustainable development.

Chaired by the Ambassador of Zambia to Spain and Permanent Representative to UNWTO, Christine Kaseba Sata addressed the biggest challenges standing in the way of the sector’s to restart safe tourism across the continent. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of speeding up vaccine rollouts across the continent, as well as addressing security issues that continue to have an impact on how global travellers perceive Africa as a safe tourism destination. Also on the agenda was the current level of connectivity between destinations, with improved air links the harmonization of travel protocols identified as an effective means for boosting regional tourism.

On his part, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasised on the essentials on promoting as well as the opportunity in driving the unique potentials of tourism.

He stressed on providing an overview of UNWTO’s work during the ongoing crisis and how this is driven by the stated priorities of its African Member States 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.”