Promoting Travel Facilitation (Connectivity/Visa) | SDGs 8, 9

Air transport and tourism in Africa are major contributors to global economic prosperity, generating numerous socio-economic benefits and spin-offs. According to UNWTO’s data, approximately 55% of tourism travel is via air transport and destinations that stand to benefit most are those with better air connectivity and visa facilitation.

It is worth noting that there is a direct correlation between air transport and visa facilitation and the appeal of a destination which can lead to increased demand and sustained tourism performance. The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and promoting Travel facilitation of the UNWTO Agenda for Africa are calling upon a unified “African sky” and a better-connected Africa which will maximize the benefits from tourism and other sectors and thereby boost the African Continental Free Trade Area of the African Union.

Nevertheless, the growth potential of both intertwined sectors in Africa has been severely disrupted due to the health crisis. Addressing the challenges and the needs of both sectors is therefore necessary to advance the agenda of air transport and sustainable tourism in Africa.

MILESTONES:

• First UNWTO/ICAO Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa, 27-29 March 2019 (Santa Maria, Sal Island, Cabo Verde)
• Santa Maria, Sal Island, Ministerial Declaration on Air Transport and Tourism Development in Africa
• Approval and adoption of the Plan of Action for Air transport and Tourism Development in Africa (2019-2021)
• UNWTO Visa Openness Report 2019 for Africa
• To work more closely together and strengthen the relationship between the aviation and tourism sectors. UNWTO contribution to AFRAA Publication: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Airlines Association (AFRAA)