Member States from across Africa have shared their priorities for tourism against the backdrop of COVID-19. As with every other global region, African destinations have been hit hard by the restrictions on travel introduced in response to the pandemic. The sudden and unexpected drop in tourist arrivals has placed many millions of jobs at risk and threatened to roll back the progress made in sustainable development.
Now, as UNWTO leads the restart of tourism, African Member States have set out their vision for the sector. This builds on the UNWTO Agenda for Africa – Tourism for Inclusive Growth, the roadmap for African tourism that was adopted at the UNWTO General Assembly in 2019, and is based on the responses to a survey sent out by the Regional Department for Africa.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “This feedback from our African Member States will help us guide tourism through the challenging months ahead. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on tourism across the continent. However, UNWTO is committed to helping Africa grow back stronger and better and for tourism to emerge from this crisis as an important pillar of economies, jobs and sustainability.”
UNWTO is committed to helping Africa grow back stronger and better and for tourism to emerge from this crisis as an important pillar of economies, jobs and sustainability
At the continental level, the survey revealed that the five key areas of the UNWTO Agenda for Africa that Member States would like to see prioritized in order to better support them as they recover from the impact of COVID-19 are:
At the same time, the survey answers showed that Member States would like to see the part of the Agenda for Africa focusing on Fostering Resilience to be realigned to reflect the current situation. This will allow for a more effective response to the impact of COVID-19 on tourism and to accelerate recovery. Alongside this, Member States across Africa also expressed a wish for UNWTO to focus future capacity building and training sessions on the topics of crisis management and communications, marketing, developing domestic tourism and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
The survey also revealed the different priorities of Member States from different parts of Africa. In North Africa, the number one priority is expanding capacity building, including through the provision of more training; in both Western and Eastern Africa, Members named promoting better travel facilitation and unlocking tourism growth through investments and public-private partnerships as their priorities.
Meanwhile, advocating for “Brand Africa” emerged as the number one priority for Member States in Southern Africa, and in Central Africa, the focus is on strengthening tourism statistics systems. Furthermore, the survey also found that Member States from across the continent would like to see UNWTO add a new section to the Agenda for Africa focusing on the promotion of regional and domestic tourism.
Last but not least, Member States also suggested UNWTO undertake a range of actions both at the political and technical level, including strengthening collaboration between governments, facilitate the creation of investment funds to support tourism and provide practical support to SMEs. These actions would be particularly beneficial to countries whose GDP heavily depends on the tourism sector including the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Recovery and resilience were the central themes as the members of the World Tourism Organization’s Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) met for the 63rd time today. Reflecting the extraordinary circumstances, the meeting was held virtually, bringing together Ministers of Tourism from across the region with representatives of the African Union, the West African Monetary Union and from the private sector, to plot a united course towards a stronger and better tourism sector.
Held as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) leads the global restart of tourism, the meeting enjoyed the virtual presence of 140 participants from 30 countries, including 24 Ministers of Tourism. They were joined by representatives of 10 international organizations and by members of the UNWTO Affiliate Members network.
As well as addressing the immediate challenge posed by COVID-19, discussions also focused on the key areas of UNWTO’s Agenda for Africa, a roadmap designed to guide the sector in sustainable growth up to 2030. These priorities include enhancing Africa’s tourism Infrastructure, boosting air connectivity, easing visa facilitation, ensuring the safety and security of tourists, investing in the development of human capital development, and improving the image of Africa to the rest of the world.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Africa’s tourism potential is undeniable, as is the potential of tourism to drive inclusive development across the continent. The steady easing of travel restrictions, first within nations and then across international borders, will allow the many social and economic benefits of tourism to return. If tourism’s restart is managed in a responsible and coordinated manner, harnessing the power of innovation and entrepreneurship, then it can transform millions of lives and help protect and preserve Africa’s rich cultural and natural heritage.”
If tourism’s restart is managed in a responsible and coordinated manner, harnessing the power of innovation and entrepreneurship, then it can transform millions of lives and help protect and preserve Africa’s rich cultural and natural heritage
Joining Mr Pololikashvili for the 63rd meeting of the CAF was the group’s current chairman Roland Chitotela, who also serves as Minister of Tourism and Arts, Zambia, and the African Union was represented by its Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid. All participants welcomed the latest initiatives designed at growing African tourism announced by the Secretary-General, including the Brand Africa marketing competition and a fresh emphasis on showcasing African gastronomy and using this as a new market for sustainable tourism and job creation.
In the run-up to the meeting, UNWTO’s Member States took part in an online survey through which they were invited to share their thoughts on how the UNWTO Agenda for Africa can be utilized to accelerate recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and build resilience for the future. Participants expressed a strong desire to see the top five key areas of the Agenda for Africa prioritized in order to support swift and sustainable recovery. These priorities are: unlocking growth through investment and through effective public-private partnerships; promoting innovation and technology; visa facilitation and enhanced connectivity; advocating for Brand Africa, and fostering greater resilience, including through enhanced safety and security for tourists.
Today we celebrate Africa’s rich heritage, its people, cultural diversity and exciting gastronomy.
These are all reasons why African tourism has been on the rise over recent years. And this gives us good reason to be optimistic as we look to the future.
This year, Africa Day comes against the backdrop of an unprecedented global challenge.
This is a challenge that has upended the global economy. It also places many millions of jobs at risk. And it threatens to roll back the social and economic benefits tourism has been delivering across Africa.
However, tourism has long proven its resilience. And Africa has shown its determination to grow back better and stronger.
As countries begin to slowly open their borders again, our sector can build trust and confidence. These are the essential foundations for recovery.
Recovery will also be driven by innovation. During this crisis, African entrepreneurs have adapted to the new realities. They have been an inspiration, not least in the way they have delivered health and economic solutions to shield the most vulnerable.
At the same time, this crisis has also once again highlighted the importance of strong leadership and of cooperation across borders. The African Union has responded to this public health emergency with urgency and responsibility. And, in supporting calls for a global ceasefire, have helped shield the most vulnerable.
Strong leadership and solidarity are at the heart of our Recommendations for Recovery. And they form the basis of our Agenda for Africa.
On this Africa Day, I call on all countries to continue with the spirit of solidarity you have shown during this crisis.
Cooperation between countries, and between the public and private sectors, will allow tourism to keep growing, providing opportunities and better lives for millions in the years ahead.
Thank you.
Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili,
UNWTO Secretary-General
Dear esteemed readers,
The tourism and travel sector has been brought to an abrupt halt by the Coronavirus COVID 19 pandemic. As we have seen with past crises, our sector is resilient and will bounce back to be stronger. But one thing is clear; we will need to re-adjust our business models to adapt to the current reality and new environment. We need to continue to work together and look for innovative and sustainable solutions to adapt to these changes and to remain relevant.
The Agenda for Africa – Tourism for Inclusive Growth, approved by the 23rd session of the UNWTO General Assembly, will now guide our programme of work more than ever. It will be especially relevant as we tackle the implementation of the priority areas, including those linked to the SDGs. Its implementation will focus on critical areas such as capacity building and the promotion of sustainable solutions that will help drive our industry through the crisis recovery phase and beyond.
To help drive the recovery, we have launched in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Healing Solutions Global Tourism Challenge. This is aimed at addressing the impact of the pandemic. This Global Challenge has been discussed and endorsed by the Global Tourism Crisis Committee, the global platform of the tourism sector that the Secretary-General has convened and is leading. This group has also produced the new “UNWTO Recommendations for Recovery: Mitigating the Socio- Economic Impact of COVID19 and Accelerating Recovery”.
The Secretary-General is joined on this committee by the Chair of the UNWTO Executive Council and the Chairs of the six Regional Commissions as well as leading travel and tourism private sector stakeholders - the Chair of the UNWTO Affiliate Members, the Airport Council International (ACI), the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the International Travel and Transport Association (IATA) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and several UN Agencies – WHO, IMO, ICAO are also members of the Crisis Committee.
I encourage you to make use of these Recommendations for Recovery, which are divided into three groups: Managing the crisis & mitigating the impact; Providing stimulus & accelerating recovery and Preparing for tomorrow.
In addition, UNWTO is monitoring the situation of its member and non-member States on the measures being taken by governments to support the tourism sector in mitigating the impact of COVID-19. The measures are divided into the following categories: Fiscal policy; Monetary policy; Jobs & Skills; Market Intelligence; Public and Private Partnerships.
During this period and also as part of the recovery I urge you to look at promoting skills development and invite you to visit our UNWTO Online Academy where we are offering free online courses for our members.
UNWTO’s key message, emphasizing our shared responsibility to put people first, to be patient and to prepare for the time when tourism can lead recovery efforts through the #Stay home today means travelling tomorrow.
I invite you to continue to follow us on all our social media platforms as well as our website for the latest updates on the COVID-19;
In the meantime, stay home and stay safe.
Elcia Grandcourt
Director
Regional Department for Africa
Tourism Ministers from across Africa came together for the first UNWTO Global Investment Forum in Africa, a landmark event aimed at unlocking the potential of investment for driving sustainable growth and development. This gathering is a contribution to the UNWTO Agenda for Africa for sustainable growth through tourism.
With investment a key part of the ambitious UNWTO Agenda for Africa, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili opened the forum (20-22 February, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire). The high-level meeting saw the participation of representatives of more than 40 countries, including Vice President of Côte d’Ivoire H.E. Daniel Kablan Duncan throughout the event. Joining them were key representatives from the African Development Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC) World Bank Group and from across the private sector, including from Marriott International, Accor, Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Uber.
The inaugural forum offered a platform to discuss the key challenges and opportunities relating to the development of African tourism through investments. These include building a more attractive business environment and potential reforms to obtaining credit, registering property and trading across national borders.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The UNWTO Agenda for Africa is an ambitious roadmap aimed at guiding African tourism towards sustainable growth between now and 2030. At the heart of this plan is unlocking growth through the promotion of investments and through the power of public-private partnerships. This Forum shows the high level of interest among our African Member States, and I am confident this will be the first of many high-level events aimed at driving investment in a sector whose potential to develop communities and transform lives is almost limitless.”
Under the chairmanship of H.E. Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism and Leisure of Côte d’Ivoire, the Forum issued a set of recommendations which will be submitted to the 63rd UNWTO Commission for Africa which will take place in the Republic of Seychelles from March 25-27, 2020.
For a full list of panelists and participants at the UNWTO Global Investment Forum in Africa, see the Forum programme.