The countries of America and Africa have a great opportunity to strengthen their relations in the tourism sector by improving economic opportunities and nurturing cultural dialogue, creative industries, gastronomy and the traditions that unite both continents, said Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary general of the Office of United Nations Tourism.
He highlighted that the tourism sector offers a viable path for economic diversification, job creation, innovation, entrepreneurship, preservation and enhancement of cultural and natural heritage and sustainable development.
He said that in 2023 the two regions will together record 267 million international tourist arrivals, contributing $371 billion in export revenue to the economies of their respective countries.
Pololikashvili offered these details during the inauguration of the 1st UN Tourism Summit for Africa and the Americas, which takes place from October 3 to 5 and in which representatives from 30 countries participate.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, highlighted that the countries of the African continent currently lead local investment in tourism (according to information from the World Economic Forum) and for that same reason, the Dominican Republic has turned its efforts towards the industry that exports Dominican Republic.
He indicated that for tourism to exist, a country vision must be built with macroeconomic policies that foster a stable economy and inventive schemes that attract investments and imbue investors with confidence.
He also said it is necessary to have a long-term vision that seeks to enhance the strengths of each destination and manage the weaknesses, with the ultimate goal of building a diversified product for all segments.
The morning event also featured a keynote presentation by Auxillia Mnangagwa, patron of Zimbabwe Tourism, First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and Patrick Bucha, head of the delegation of the Tourism department of the Regional Commission for Africa.
A High Level Ministerial dialogue is currently being held on the topic Building Opportunities between Africa and the Americas and a final declaration will be issued with the final agreements reached today.
