UN Tourism continues to deliver on the Africa agenda, focusing on investment, multilateral cooperation and education, bringing together member states in the region.
The 67th session of the United Nations Regional Commission for Tourism for Africa (22-24 July) brought together public and private sector leaders from across the African region. Member States met amid a strong recovery in Africa’s tourism sector, with tourist arrivals increasing by 5% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to pre-pandemic levels. This made the continent the second best-performing continent in the world, outperforming all regions except the Middle East.
“Zambia, as well as the entire African region, is an excellent example of the positive impact of tourism in leading to new investment and job creation. Moreover, our members come together in Livingstone as Zambia celebrates 60 years of peace and independence. This is encouraging as we prepare to commemorate World Tourism Day in September with the theme ‘Tourism and Peace’,” said Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
United Nations Secretary-General for Tourism Zurab Pololikashvili.
Investing in African tourism
In the past decade alone, Africa has attracted over 160 new tourism projects, with total capital investment reaching US$10.7 billion, and the potential to create over 24,000 jobs. Recognizing this positive trend, the Commission meeting session featured a special ministerial-level discussion on global tourism investment trends, with special focus on Zambia’s promising tourism prospects. The session provided insights into sustainable development opportunities and strategies to attract and secure tourism investment. Key topics included sustainable tourism development strategies, enhancing Africa’s global tourism competitiveness, and innovations in tourism marketing and branding.
The conference also launched new investment guidelines for Zambia, which focus on tourism and inclusive growth in the country, are in line with the United Nations Africa Tourism Agenda and identify opportunities for investors from around the world.
New tourism academy planned for Africa
At the meeting, memorandums of understanding were signed to establish a Tourism Centre of Excellence in Livingstone, Zambia, and a Culinary Arts Academy in Zimbabwe.
The Academy joins a growing network of UN Tourism-supported education centers to help equip workers with the skills they need to succeed in the tourism industry, helping to drive economic growth and social opportunity. Secretary-General Pololi Kashvik also announced that countries will be offered 100 UN Tourism Online Academy scholarships.
Technical support for African members
Of the 50 technical cooperation projects currently underway around the world, UN Tourism is working on 13 projects in 10 African countries in the areas of tourism statistics, digital transformation and skills development. In line with the five pillars of the African agenda – branding, connectivity, innovation, education and investment – several technical cooperation projects are currently being developed in the region. Secretary-General Pololikashvili also confirmed that UN Tourism will work with member states in the region to develop and implement new communication strategies to showcase the uniqueness of African tourism destinations.
Furthermore, Member States welcomed the emphasis on the Secretariat’s recommendations on safety and security in the UN Tourism Agenda for Africa, including the tourist police initiative in collaboration with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
The establishment of a new regional office in Marrakech is currently being considered, with the aim of expanding the organisation’s portfolio and increasing its local presence.
Expanding international cooperation
In the future, UN Tourism will host the first joint meeting of its regional bureaus for Africa and the Americas (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, 3-5 October 2024), bringing together members of both commissions to discuss South-South cooperation through investment, education, cultural roots, creative industries and innovation.
Theodore is co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of the TravelDailyNews Media Network and is responsible for business development and planning for the long-term opportunities for TravelDailyNews.
