12 July 2018

To advocate for circular economy solutions in the tourism sector, the Government of Botswana is joining hands with the governments of Bhutan, Finland and Mexico, UN Environment, as well as the One Planet Network, to organize an official side event at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which will take place in New York on the 9th until 18th of July 2018.

In line with the ‘Kasane Call to Action on Sustainable Tourism: The Tourism We Want’, adopted following the Conference and Symposium for Empowering Tourism Destinations’ Sustainability through Innovation, held in Kasane, Botswana on 8 December 2017, the government of Botswana is conjointly organizing the side event ‘Tourism & Construction: Circular Economy solutions for SDG12’ at the UN Headquarters on 18 July 2018. 

The event aims to highlight the importance of strengthening circular thinking in both sectors, showcasing how circular economy solutions in the tourism and construction sectors can accelerate the shift to sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and the implementation of SDG 12, while contributing to sustainable and resilient societies. 

H.E. Mr. Tshekedi Khama, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism of Botswana, will lead the discussions on the Kasane Call to Action on Sustainable Tourism and elaborate on the aspects outlined to support circular models and SDG12 monitoring in tourism sector.  

Recalling that the Kasane Call for Action advocates for the development and promotion of SCP practices that ensure the efficient use of natural resources and help to combat climate change, the fundamental target of the document is to further strengthen sustainable development of the tourism sector by 2030.

PR No.: PR 18052

“Côte d'Ivoire shows how the political, social and economic recognition of tourism is key to mainstreaming the positive impact it can have in people’s lives”, Mr. Pololikashvili said meeting Daniel Kablan Duncan and Amadou Gon Coulibaly, Vice President and Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, respectively.

Minister of Tourism Siandou Fofana presented the country’s tourism strategy ‘Sublime Côte d’Ivoire’ to the Secretary-General and United Nations agencies in Abidjan, who committed their support to the plan. The West African country is the third-largest African destination for business tourism and an emergent market for agro-tourism.

In addition, Mr. Pololikashvili met with the tourism private sector and the African Development Bank, visited private and public tourism schools, and laid the foundation stone of Akwaba Park, the biggest adventure park in West Africa.

The Secretary-General advocated UNWTO’s Agenda for Africa and its priorities of developing skilled human capital, providing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, promoting gender equality and empowering women.

Contacts:

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 / comm@unwto.org

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PR No.: PR 18043

Considered one of the most successful businessmen in Africa, Aliko Dangote founded the Dangote Group 30 years ago and turned his enterprise into the largest business conglomerate in West Africa.

Mr. Dangote also set up the largest Foundation in Africa, the Dangote Foundation, devoted to providing nutrition, health and education to the continent’s most vulnerable people.

Tourism is an activity with enormous economic importance, which favours an approach that links countries. UNWTO is committed to making well-managed tourism a source of sustainable and responsible development, and of growth opportunities for communities and economies.

“With this appointment, Mr. Dangote is added to the list of personalities named by UNWTO as Ambassadors for Responsible Tourism, whom we hope will act as messengers of our legacy and vision across the globe”, said Secretary-General Pololikashvili.

Contacts:

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 / comm@unwto.org

PR No.: PR 18041

The Commission for Africa attracted 18 tourism ministers from the region and key tourism stakeholders from 36 countries. Participants underscored how tourism projects can contribute to poverty alleviation, the importance of finding innovative approaches to developing tourism in the region, and the need to find and foster new partnerships and resources to develop the sector.

Against the backdrop of the growth of international tourism in Africa, tourism’s overall economic impact needs to be measured accurately in order for tourism strategies to effectively contribute to national economies. The ministerial dialogue addressed the significance of collecting and compiling quantitative and qualitative data, as well as the importance of commitments from national stakeholders and institutional partnerships for a rigorous tourism statistics system.

“The priorities of my mandate have been formed by listening to the needs of our member states and include the crucial targets of creating more and better tourism jobs, improving tourism education and fostering innovation”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili. “We need to build tight links between public and private sectors for tourism to transform growth across the continent, and for the benefit of its people”, he added.

The meeting was attended by the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, who stated that “Nigeria has great potentials for tourism and investment”, underscoring the relevance of the sector, both regarding its contribution to sustainable development and its role to further diversify the economy and increase social resilience.

In this context, the need for establishing a Statistical Framework for the Measurement of Sustainable Tourism (MST) was addressed. This Framework includes environmental, social and cultural tourism components geared towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The next African Commission meeting will take place during the second quarter of 2019.

Useful links:

Programme of the 61st UNWTO Commission for Africa

Photos of the event

Contacts:

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 / comm@UNWTO.org

President Muhammadu Buhari (middle) receiving a souvenir from the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili ( left) and the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (right) when the executives of UNWTO paid a courtesy visit to the president in the State House, Abuja on Tuesday.

Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili (middle); Mr. Zhu Shanzong, Executive Director UNWTO (second left) and Ms. Elcia Grandcourt, Director, Regional Department for Africa of the UNWTO (extreme left) when the executives of UNWTO paid a courtesy visit to the president in the State House, Abuja on Tuesday.

“On #AfricaDay , UNWTO believes that tourism can sustainably transform Africa and contribute by creating much-needed jobs for women & youth, supporting the emergence of tourism start-ups and promoting its unique biodiversity in a sustainable way”

- Zurab Pololikashvili, UNWTO Secretary General

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PR No.: PR 05/15

PRESS RELEASE

THE WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION (UNWTO) LAUDS KENYA FOR ITS EBOLA PREVENTION EFFORTS