One of the main objectives of the UNWTO Regional Programme for Africa is to continuously strengthen the Member relations by inviting African Tourism Ministers to pay courtesy calls to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in a view of sharing their priority areas on the tourism sector and update their knowledge on new services and products offered.

In this regard, technical meetings and working sessions are organized together with Mr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General, UNWTO Executive Directors, The Regional Director Programme for Africa, and Directors of Technical and Support Programmes based on the request of the country to discuss issues and concerns of the member state on the tourism industry.

At the end of the visit, fruitful conclusions and action plans are prepared which will serve as tangible collaboration roadmap between UNWTO and the African Member State towards the development of sustainable tourism in the country.

In 2016, we had the honor to enjoy the official visits of H.E. Mr. Thierno Ousmane Diallo, Minister of Tourism, Hospitality Industry and Handicraft of Guinea, H.E. Mr. Malam Djaura, Minister of Tourism and Handicraft of Guinea-Bissau, Hon. Lai Mohamed, Minister of Information and Culture of Nigeria and H. E. Mrs. Selma Elloumi Rekik, Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts of Tunisia.

The UNWTO Regional Programme for Africa encourages interested African countries to embark on this initiative that demonstrates the strong engagement of UNWTO to put their request at the core of its general programme of work. 

 

Carnival in Bissau

During four days, you will cross savannahs, forests, rivers, lagoons, and meet very traditional people. Carnival in Guinea-Bissau is a great mix of Afro-Portuguese traditions and this is the most important holiday of the country. Guinea-Bissau celebrates an annual carnival in February, where each district prepares a giant mask that is entered in a competition. Every town and village in the country, each ethnic group, prepares to trek to Bissau to represent its culture, traditions, dances, etc. In the afternoon the Carnival explodes with thousands of colours, with the start of the parade of masks of each region and each “bairro” (city district) along the main thoroughfare of Avenida Amilcar Cabral. Drumming, sacred traditional masks, warriors wielding arrows and dressed in crocodile skin, contemporary papier-mâché masks, and not least, young women wearing just strands of pearls at the waist... The frenzied parade goes on for hours, making this carnival an unforgettable popular festival where traditional influences are mixed with the joie de vivre and the magic of Africa. A must-see spectacle! Regardless of the situation the country finds itself in, this tradition is still deeply rooted in Guinea-Bissau society. As the Carnival approaches, everyone jealously keeps their floats and masks hidden to prevent their ideas from being stolen, but by the end of the festivities one can easily go around neighbourhoods asking to see the masks of the previous year. Scary and vividly coloured, these gigantic creations are veritable works of art that would be worthy of an exhibition in the great capitals of the world. Now that’s an idea!

                        

PR No.: PR 16087

The pilot programme, to be launched in Kenya before the end of 2017, will include training for local communities through Amadeus customers. The initiative is expected to be replicated in countries around the world.

Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General, said: “With 1,186 million international tourist arrivals in 2015, tourism is not only a catalyst for development but also for inclusion. Though in most regions women make up the majority of the tourism workforce, they tend to be concentrated in the lowest paid and lowest status jobs, and perform a large amount of unpaid work in family tourism businesses. We thus need to work together to ensure women can access better jobs in tourism".

H.E. Mr. Najib Balala, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, explained: “Tourism is a key backbone to the region’s economic development, with a projected growth of 16% by the end of 2016. This initiative enables us to empower women and our youth whilst building our local tourism and travel industry.”

Svend Leirvaag, Vice President Industry Affairs, Amadeus IT Group, added: “Technology can help to enhance skill levels, professionalism, and also the commitment of the workforce. At Amadeus, we are equipping local communities with new technologies in line with our commitment to sustainable development. However, to really make a difference, this has to be an industry-wide effort”.

Contacts:

UNWTO Media Officer Rut Gomez Sobrino

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 / rgomez@unwto.org

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

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

PR No.: PR 16081

The workshop conducted by UNWTO on 15-17 September 2016 with the support of the Ministry of Tourism of Ethiopia provided a global insight into the positioning of African destinations along with the new dynamics and trends in the overall marketplace. The sessions highlighted the need to develop and deliver quality, ethical and attractive tourism products and services to enhance competitiveness and to explore innovative strategies to stimulate new products and niche markets.

The meeting was a unique opportunity to discuss challenges and constraints as well as strategic approaches to cope with sustainability issues while maximizing the benefits of tourism for the local destinations. Cooperation between UNWTO and the Government of Ethiopia has results in a number of projects in the last decade such as the implementation of a new hotel classification scheme funded by the World Bank and initiated in 2015.

“This workshop takes place at a significant moment when international tourism shows repeatedly its ability to boost inclusive economic growth of many nations around the world, improve livelihoods of local communities and is an essential tool for conservation and environment protection,” said Elcia Grandcourt, Director of the Regional Programme for Africa at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

According to UNWTO figures, the number of international tourist arrivals in Africa reached 53.5 million in 2015, which represents 5% of the world´s total and contributes a total of US$ 33 billion in terms of exports to the region. The future prospects for the region remain positive. Between January and June 2016, arrivals in Africa grew an estimated 5%. UNWTO estimations project international tourist arrivals in Africa to reach 134 million by 2030.

Useful links:

Programme of the Workshop

Contacts:

UNWTO Media Officer Rut Gomez Sobrino

Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 / rgomez@unwto.org

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

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

Introducing Zambia’s unparalleled Safari Lodges – The Chinzombo Story

With abundant wildlife, unspoilt wilderness, a circuit of simple yet stylish Safari camps and river lodges, insightful tour guides, Zambia undoubtedly is an up-the-hill top class safari destination for quibblers.

Among the many luxury safaris lodges for the affluent tourists to Zambia, Chinzombo is the place to stay. This camp is located in one of Zambia’s kept secret safari destination the South Luangwa National Park. The game park is one of the last great wildlife wonders of the world. This nine thousand square kilometres (3,475 square miles) pristine wilderness is a home to 60 different animal species, and over 400 different bird species including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species, definitely there is plenty for the birdwatcher to spot, whatever the season.

Internationally famous for the abundance of ‘leopards’ hence the parks nickname as “the valley of the leopard”. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction.  The South Luangwa has been visited by wildlife safari enthusiasts from all over the world since its creation as a National Park in 1972. The park offers a safari experience unmatched by any other destination, allowing year around access, open game viewing vehicles, walking safaris and night game drives.

The Chinzombo Safari Camp is wildly luxurious, designed by award winning architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens. Chinzombo brings levels of comfort, style and elegance previously unseen to the Luangwa Valley in Zambia.

The old Chinzombo Camp was for years the green season base for Norman Carr way back in the 1970’s. Norman Carr was a young game ranger who came to this part of Zambia way back in 1950. His dream was to share his passion for this unique wilderness and secure its future by ensuring that the local population benefit through conserving the wildlife and infinitely varied habitat of the Luangwa Valley.

To realise his dream Norman Carr initiated a far-reaching and visionary conservation concept which was to pave the way for modern conservation and tourism in the South Luangwa operating under the Norman Carr Safaris (NCS). Most importantly Norman Carr initiated the renowned guided walking safaris in the game park, which became known as wilderness trails. These were very popular and have since been emulated throughout southern Africa.

The new Chinzombo safari camp is super-luxurious but retains its bush feel with grass and canvas walls and spacious living areas that melt into the exquisite surroundings of the beautiful, tranquil of the famous South Luangwa National Park.

Gigantic, ancient shade trees offer peace and tranquillity for guests staying in any one of the six stunning villas, one of which is a family suite with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, perfect for families or small groups. Each villa will have its private pool, cooled sleeping areas, and massive bathroom.

This wildly luxury camp is set out within 60 acres of private land with Luangwa River frontage; the views from its riverside location which teems with wildlife, plus the private, direct access into one of the most game rich areas of the National Park all combine to make this a truly unique place.

Throughout its history, NCS has always innovated. The first camps, the first walking safaris, the first community projects, the first bush camps, the first all Zambian expert guiding team, the list of firsts is a long one!  Chinzombo owners are proud to continue that tradition and be the first to bring this level of design and luxury innovation to the Luangwa allowing us to create unique and exclusive adventures for the most discerning of guests.

Chinzombo Camp is the perfect place from which to explore the majestic wilds of the Africa’s acclaimed South Luangwa in style, luxury and exclusivity – all year around.

Contributed by the Zambia Embassy in Paris and Permanent Mission to UNWTO.

Explore Zambia the real Africa - South Luangwa National Park

Zambia is African continent’s great unacknowledged safari destination, and indisputably its best value. The safari tours in Zambia are unfailingly excellent; the Zambian game parks offer a diversity of experiences hardly blended somewhere else.  The quality of accommodation and service provided in the safari lodges is incomparable added to this is the quality of local guides which is discerning.

Zambia offers a more natural and authentic bush experience than its better-known competitors. One of Zambia’s kept secret safaris destination is the South Luangwa National Park.

Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park is among the most vastly, well stocked and wildly, internationally recognised game parks on the African continent. Experts have dubbed as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons is among the most intense in Africa.

The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of this 9059 km2 Park. The Park hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. The now famous ‘walking safari’ originated in this Park and is still one of the finest ways to experience Africa’s pristine wilderness first-hand. The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness, ranging from; dry, bare bushveld in the winter, to a lush, green wonderland in the summer months.

There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species in South Luangwa National Park and internationally famous for the leopard hence nickname “the valley of the leopard”. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction. With about 400 of Zambia’s 732 species of birds appearing in the Park, including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species, there is plenty for the birdwatcher to spot, whatever the season.

An interest in the vegetation of Zambia will enhance your experience of the bush. Some magnificent trees and plants grow in the Luangwa Valley, and it certainly adds to the richness of one’s experience to be able to recognise the different tree species and to discover exotic wildflowers.

Among the more common trees in the valley are the mopane, leadwood, winterthorn, the tall vegetable ivory palm, the marula and the magnificent tamarind tree. There are some magnificent Baobab specimens and a few large ebony forests to admire.

A must be on the list of any tourist to Southern part of Africa

Contributed by the Zambia Embassy in Paris and Permanent Mission to UNWTO.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia are jointly organizing the UNWTO Regional Workshop for Africa: ‘Keys to Success in Tourism Product Development’, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the kind invitation of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

The 2-day regional workshop on keys to success in tourism product development is open to the local tourism stakeholders in Ethiopia and participants from the region. Sustainable and competitive tourism product portfolios require an adequate policy and effective institutional framework which must enable an integrated approach and public private partnerships all through the tourism value chain. 

The regional workshop aims at:

·         Establishing the key factors that determine the success of Tourism Product Development;

·         Diversification of opportunities;

·          Empowerment of the policymakers to have the capacity, knowledge and skills to develop and implement an effective tourism product development.

At the end of the workshop, participants will have a rich foundation to create a platform for dialogue amongst African destinations and stakeholders, improve performance of the tourism sector and further enable them to explore key principles of sustainable tourism product development in Africa whilst taking into consideration the main objectives of the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

The NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 19 April 2016, in Abidjan, Cote d I’voire. The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the 58th UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) and the 10YFP Sustainable Tourism Conference and Symposium.

The Memorandum of Understanding aims to enhance cooperation between the NEPAD Agency and UNWTO in identified areas of mutual interest with a view to: promote tourism as a tool for development in Africa in line with UNWTO´s priorities and Africa’s Agenda 2063 aspirations and goals on sustainable economic growth and inclusive development. as well as build strong partnerships to support the development of the tourism sector in Africa.

The areas of cooperation include support to the implementation of the NEPAD Tourism Action Plan as the core strategy of the African Union on tourism, taking into account the current continental and global challenges and within the context of the NEPAD’s vision and Agenda 2063 aspirations and goals.

In his speech, Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, CEO of the NEPAD Agency, said “Africa’s Heads of States and Governments have adopted Agenda 2063 as the structural transformation framework of the continent. This Agenda integrated tourism as a critical driver of inclusive growth, job opportunities and wealth creation, through industry and service”. According to Dr. Mayaki, the role of the NEPAD Agency - as the technical arm of the African Union - is to ensure that the mechanisms to facilitate regional integration, such as visa facilitation, air access and transport are effectively implemented. Therefore, the signing of the MoU is a very important step for the NEPAD Agency for mainstreaming sustained and competitive tourism, he added.

UNWTO was represented by its Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai who underscored the importance of giving more attention to the tourism sector, given the role that tourism has in economic growth and development. According to Mr. Rifai, “travel and tourism represent ten percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and one out of every 11 jobs.”

Source: NEPAD