PR No.: PR15051

Tourism is one of Africa’s most promising economic sectors, but the sector’s capacity to fully contribute to inclusive and sustainable development across the continent is often hindered by negative perceptions and the generalization of crises situations in specific locations. At the same time, the numerous positive stories from Africa remain untold to a global audience, further impeding positive perceptions of the region.

Against this backdrop, the upcoming UNWTO conference Enhancing Brand Africa - Fostering Tourism Development will bring together a wide range of public and private-sector stakeholders in tourism, media and communications, and other related fields to:

• Analyze the situation of Brand Africa and its impact on tourism in the region
•  Identify the key challenges facing Brand Africa and that of African countries
• Exchange national experiences on country branding and tourism branding
• Explore how African destinations can successfully build a strong brand in an increasingly competitive marketplace and a constantly changing business environment
• Create synergies among African countries towards greater cooperation in the promotion and positioning of a common African Tourism Brand

The Conference will be opened by H.E. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana.

Among the confirmed speakers to gather in Accra, Ghana, are the Ministers of Tourism of Ghana, Cameroon, Namibia, Seychelles and Zimbabwe; the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebre Mariam;  and Zain Asher from CNN International, the media partner of the Conference, who will deliver a key note speech on “What is Brand Africa?”.

For more information and registration, please click here

Useful links:

UNWTO Briefing Paper: Towards Measuring the Economic Value of Wildlife Watching Tourism in Africa

UNWTO Regional Programme for Africa

Contacts:

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme

Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218

The UNWTO Capacity Building Course on Tourism Policy and Strategy taking place in the Democratic Republic of Congo and, organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), its Foundation UNWTO.Themis and the Ministry of Tourism of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was inaugurated on 18 May by H.E. Mr. Willy Makiashi, Deputy-Prime Minister, Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Welfare, H.E. Mr. Elvis Mutiri wa Bashara, Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Elcia Grandcourt, Director of the UNWTO Regional Programme for Africa and Mr. Mouad Achhab from the UNWTO.Themis Foundation. The course will be led by two facilitators: Mr. Jorge Guerrero Lozano and Mr. Henri Rabemanantsoa with the support of the UNWTO team represented by Mrs. Lydia Bebekum, Senior Programme Assistant of the UNWTO Regional Programme for Africa.

This course aims to analyze some key concepts on tourism policy and strategy, sustainable tourism, value chain, analysis, planning, strategy design and evaluation and monitoring strategy, as well as providing to the participants knowledge, skills, tools and a platform for discussion and reflection on tourism strategy. Among the activities of the course, participants will work on case studies on sub territories: River Congo, bonobos Park and surroundings, and the city-center of Kinshasa.
 

PR No.: 15032

In solidarity with Kenya and its people, and on behalf of the international tourism community, UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai visited the country to highlight the economic importance of the Kenyan tourism sector, and convey his confidence in its strong resilience.

“Kenya is a true tourism success story and a long-term tourism leader, not only in Africa but globally. Over the years, the Kenyan tourism sector has become a backbone of the national economy and demonstrated a remarkable capacity to recover and regain momentum, which is why I have full confidence in its ability to bounce back even stronger. The world must hear from Kenya now. Kenya, with Africa, will move forward”, said Mr. Rifai.

On the occasion, Mr. Rifai met with the President of Kenya, Mr. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, to explore further areas of cooperation between Kenya and UNWTO, as well as the importance of domestic tourism, increased regional cooperation, and the need for more precise travel advisories.

Mr. Kenyatta confirmed the Government’s commitment to keep advancing the tourism sector also in these trying moments, and highlighted the importance of co-existence and working closely with neighboring countries to stabilize and promote East Africa.

“Terrorism is not a Kenyan issue, it is a global issue. We just happen to live on the front line. We will not change our plans but rather work towards eradicating the problem and to protect our people”, said Mr. Kenyatta.

Mr. Rifai also met with the Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, Phyllis Kandie, and the tourism task force, to further explore how UNWTO can assist public and private sector efforts to recover and consolidate Kenya’s tourism sector. At a joint press conference with Mrs. Kandie, Mr. Rifai reiterated UNWTO’s strong support to Kenya:

“Sometimes when we live in a country we do not see how the world sees us. The world has great respect for Kenya, as do the international tourism community. I want to assure you that we will do our part to help restore full confidence in this incredible destination”, concluded Mr. Rifai.

Useful links:
UNWTO Regional Programme for Africa

Contacts:

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218 

On Thursday 9 April 2015, the UNWTO team of experts carried out the first group of inspections as part of the activities of the World Bank-funded project for Implementation of the Hotel Classification Scheme for Ethiopia.

Opening Ceremonies were organized in this respect, receiving the participation of H.E. Mr. Amin Abdulkadir, Minister of Culture and Tourism, and H.E. Mrs. Tadelech Dalaclo, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism. This included ribbon-cutting ceremonies at each of the three hotels, speeches by the Ministers, the General Manager and the President of the Hotel Association.

During his speech and in all the interviews that the Hon. Minister has conducted, he refers to this project as an "historic event" for Ethiopia.

The project activities commenced in January 2015 with the setting  up of the entire scheme for implementing hotel classification - being done for the first time in Ethiopia - and the training of inspectors which was completed in March 2015.

A team of six international assessors, in three teams of 2 international assessors each, will now assess up to 400 hotels in Ethiopia and give them their first official rating.  They will be accompanied by the national inspectors who have been previously trained, on a rotational basis, so as to further strengthen their capacities.

PR No.: PR15027

“I am appalled by this atrocious act of violence on innocent people. Our thoughts at this tragic moment are with the families and friends of the victims and the people of Kenya” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

“Kenya is facing a threat of international nature. We must stand by the Kenyans in these testing times and reinforce our solidarity and commitment to work side by side with them to ensure that violence and terrorism do not win over our values and the will of Kenya to progress and live freely."

"The resilience of the Kenyan people, supported by the solidarity of their friends in the international community, will surely lead the country to overcome this terrible act."

"Despite the aims of the terrorists to damage the image and the economy of Kenya, we are confident that the country will continue to be a preferred destination for people all around the world", Mr Rifai added. 

PR No.: 15026

Meeting with President Beji Caid Essebsi and Prime Minister Habib Essid, Mr Rifai recalled the role of tourism in creating prosperity and jobs in Tunisia and the importance of having the sector supported at the highest political level, expressing his full confidence in the fast recovery of tourism to Tunisia. Both dignitaries reiterated their full believe and support to tourism.

“Tourism employs 400.000 people in Tunisia and is a key driver of the economy. With the political support I have testified today and a national tourism policy coordinated among all Ministries I trust that we will see a swift recovery of tourism to Tunisia and the sector playing a fundamental role in this new era of country”, said Mr Rifai.

“We are determined to move forward and there is a political will to revive this sector, as shown by the numerous measures undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism. In addition to the promotional activities such as the organization of the support march and meetings with the foreign tour operators, we will also focus on domestic tourism and tourism from the Maghreb to overcome this situation”, said the Minister of Tourism of Tunisia, Salma Elloumi Rekik.

UNWTO and Tunisia agreed on a new cooperation framework which includes the areas of communications, education and training and hotel classification. “Tunisia is open to receive all tourists. Tunisia is and will continue to be a leading tourism destination” said Rifai. “It is time to look into the future and consolidate the sector by investing in quality and human resources development and UNWTO is very pleased to be here to support Tunisia in this regard”, he added.

Tunisia will also host the 5th edition of the UNWTO Tourism and the Media Conference during the last quarter of 2015.

Contacts:

UNWTO Senior Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60 

UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100 / Fax: +34 91 567 8218