UN Tourism Commission for Africa meets to boost social impact
The UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF), brought together tourism leaders, government officials, and creative-sector stakeholders to chart a future where tourism drives lasting, inclusive development across the region. The event brought together more than 300 delegates, including 18 Ministers of Tourism, reflecting the high-level support for UN Tourism's work and vision for the region.
Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili opened the 68th session with a call to action rooted in partnership and progress. Reflecting on his first visit to Abuja in 2018, he noted that 'progress is built on partnership and Africa's story is one of resilience and renewal.' He lauded the region's rapid recovery in tourism, driven by streamlined protocols, digital innovation, and targeted skill development, and reaffirmed commitment to the Agenda for Africa: Tourism for Inclusive Growth.
Shared progress celebrated
In Abuja, UN Tourism's Member States in Africa were given a thorough overview of the progress made in advancing shared goals since the Regional Commission's last meeting. Key highlights of this shared progress include:
The launch of the Thematic Office on Innovation for Africa, in partnership with Morocco, designed to drive investment, capacity-building, and digital transformation in tourism.
A strong emphasis on creative industries, music, film, fashion, and cuisine, as drivers of culture-led tourism, visitor engagement, and local livelihoods.
Advancements in education and youth empowerment, including new courses, academy launches in Zambia and Zimbabwe, and expansive training and entrepreneurship programmes.
'Tourism can be a ladder out of poverty and a platform for leadership,' Pololikashvili said, urging further investment in digital literacy, vocational training, and youth entrepreneurship, particularly for women and marginalized communities.
Key roles for African Member States in UN Tourism
In Abuja, Africa's Member States fulfilled their statutory obligations with elections to key positions that will guide UN Tourism's work forward over the coming years:
Angola; Kenya; Seychelles; Zambia; Zimbabwe will serve on the UN Tourism Executive Council (2025-2029)
Nigeria and Zimbabwe will serve as Vice-Presidents of the UN Tourism General Assembly (2025)
Zambia will Chair the Regional Commission for Africa (2025-2027), with Angola and Nigeria the Vice-Chairs
Looking ahead, Seychelles will host the 69th Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for Africa (date TBC). Cabo Verde will then host the official celebrations for World Tourism Day 2027.
Innovation to shape Africa's tourism future
The week's discussions underlined a shared vision: tourism led by Africans, powered by innovation, and rooted in cultural identity. Delegates stressed that technology and Artificial Intelligence must serve people first, by widening market access, easing travel, and reinforcing ethical standards.
On the sidelines of the 68th CAF meeting, UN Tourism held a Technical Workshop on AI and Innovation shaping Tourism and Creative Industries for local officials. Discussions focused on placing AI tools and innovation to be at the forefront of tourism development across Africa, as well as on supporting education and entrepreneurial skills for growth as well as the importance of public-private partnerships.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Travel Daily News
a day ago
- Travel Daily News
USTOA brings member delegates to the capitol
NEW YORK – The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) escorted a group of more than 50 Active Member tour operators and Associate Members to Washington, D.C., June 3-4, 2025, to advocate for tourism industry issues impacting the industry, from passport and visa processing to adequate funding of Brand USA and the National Park Service , among other urgent topics. 'In the 13th year of the USTOA Congressional Caucus, our advocacy efforts felt more important than ever,' said USTOA President & CEO Terry Dale . 'The Congressional Caucus is a vitally critical forum to engage directly with lawmakers on topics that will ensure the continued success and resilience of our industry and lead us toward a more responsible tourism future.' The morning of June 4 was packed with informative presentations on the 'state of the industry' from a number of industry representatives, including Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Brand USA; Jennifer Aguinaga, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism and Director, National Travel and Tourism Office; and Emily Douce, Deputy Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association. Guest speakers included Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the Presidential Task Force for 2026 FIFA World Cup, who spoke about initiatives to improve visa wait times and approval as the US is set to host this international event, and US Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY), who provided insights into the top issues facing Congress. A small team of USTOA members met at the office of Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19). In the afternoon, nine teams of USTOA members visited the Capitol for meetings with leading members of Congress to discuss the core issues. Promoting U.S. tourism abroad with continued funding of Brand USA, urging Congress to fund the administration's Air Traffic Control modernization plan, the impact of tariffs on international and outbound U.S. travel, supporting National Park Service funding and sufficient staffing, encouraging improvement in passport application processing delays, and urging expedited visa processing and backlog reduction are among the topics discussed. Additional conversation included the INVEST in our Communities Act which aims to boost much-needed tourism and economic development in light of the recent drop off in Canadian travel to the US; supporting the DOT-Aviation Consumer Protection; and supporting travel infrastructure including the backing expansion of TSA Pre-check and Global Entry as well as phased enforcement and flexibility for REAL ID until full compliance on May 7, 2027. Dale continued, 'USTOA remains committed to being an advocate for responsible tourism, and these meetings proved to be a highly effective platform to communicate that message to key lawmakers. We have learned that our collective voice does matter and can make a difference. The participation of our members and the members of Congress who took the time to engage in discussions on the issues that matter most to our industry is deeply appreciated.' The Caucus kicked off with an opening night reception and dinner at the Colombian Ambassador 's residence, hosted by Daniel Ávila Camacho, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Colombia to the United States. Special guest Charlie Sykes, regular contributor to MSNBC and former editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, addressed the group about the importance to stay engaged in politics, among other timely topics.
Travel Daily News
a day ago
- Travel Daily News
GAIN and CHTA forge partnership to accelerate hospitality tech
GAIN and CHTA partner to empower Caribbean hospitality through tech innovation, education, and strategic support for digital transformation and growth. MIAMI, FL – Growth Advisors International Network (GAIN) a leading global advisory firm specializing in hospitality technology and innovation, and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the region's leading hospitality association, proudly announce a strategic partnership designed to empower the Caribbean hospitality industry with transformative technology, education insights, and innovation-focused programming. This optimized collaboration unites GAIN's deep expertise in hospitality technology and property transformation with CHTA's unmatched regional membership network and commitment to advancing the Caribbean hotel and tourism sector. Together, the partners will deliver a suite of high-impact initiatives aimed at assisting Caribbean hoteliers and tourism professionals thrive in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven landscape. 'Our partnership with GAIN comes at a pivotal time as technology continues to reshape the hospitality industry,' said Sanovnik Destang, President of CHTA. 'This collaboration enables us to bring timely education, expert insights, and real-world innovation strategies to our members, helping them navigate the complexities of digital transformation and build more resilient, future-ready businesses.' The partnership will deliver: Thought Leadership Programming: A membership webinar series focused on topics like AI in hospitality, guest journey tech, revenue optimization, and sustainability. Innovation Advisory: Optimized tech advisory sessions to guide CHTA members in digital strategy, system selection, and innovation planning. Enhanced CHIEF Conference Collaboration:Expanded visibility and sponsorship opportunities at the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), including GAIN's vendor sponsorship support and dedicated speaker stage presentations. Vendor Preferred Status: Curated solutions and exclusive business models for CHTA membership properties, from leading hospitality technology vendors. Co-Branded Initiatives: Joint marketing and communications, social media promotions, video features, and on-site visibility at key CHTA industry events. 'GAIN is honored to partner with CHTA, an organization that represents the backbone of the Caribbean's vibrant hospitality community,' said Michael Cohen, Managing Partner at GAIN. 'Together, we're committed to advising the region's hoteliers on harnessing technology and innovation to elevate the guest experience, improve operational efficiency, and drive sustainable growth.' This partnership reinforces both organizations' dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence throughout the Caribbean hospitality sector.
Travel Daily News
a day ago
- Travel Daily News
UN Tourism Commission for Africa meets to boost social impact
The UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF), brought together tourism leaders, government officials, and creative-sector stakeholders to chart a future where tourism drives lasting, inclusive development across the region. The event brought together more than 300 delegates, including 18 Ministers of Tourism, reflecting the high-level support for UN Tourism's work and vision for the region. Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili opened the 68th session with a call to action rooted in partnership and progress. Reflecting on his first visit to Abuja in 2018, he noted that 'progress is built on partnership and Africa's story is one of resilience and renewal.' He lauded the region's rapid recovery in tourism, driven by streamlined protocols, digital innovation, and targeted skill development, and reaffirmed commitment to the Agenda for Africa: Tourism for Inclusive Growth. Shared progress celebrated In Abuja, UN Tourism's Member States in Africa were given a thorough overview of the progress made in advancing shared goals since the Regional Commission's last meeting. Key highlights of this shared progress include: The launch of the Thematic Office on Innovation for Africa, in partnership with Morocco, designed to drive investment, capacity-building, and digital transformation in tourism. A strong emphasis on creative industries, music, film, fashion, and cuisine, as drivers of culture-led tourism, visitor engagement, and local livelihoods. Advancements in education and youth empowerment, including new courses, academy launches in Zambia and Zimbabwe, and expansive training and entrepreneurship programmes. 'Tourism can be a ladder out of poverty and a platform for leadership,' Pololikashvili said, urging further investment in digital literacy, vocational training, and youth entrepreneurship, particularly for women and marginalized communities. Key roles for African Member States in UN Tourism In Abuja, Africa's Member States fulfilled their statutory obligations with elections to key positions that will guide UN Tourism's work forward over the coming years: Angola; Kenya; Seychelles; Zambia; Zimbabwe will serve on the UN Tourism Executive Council (2025-2029) Nigeria and Zimbabwe will serve as Vice-Presidents of the UN Tourism General Assembly (2025) Zambia will Chair the Regional Commission for Africa (2025-2027), with Angola and Nigeria the Vice-Chairs Looking ahead, Seychelles will host the 69th Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for Africa (date TBC). Cabo Verde will then host the official celebrations for World Tourism Day 2027. Innovation to shape Africa's tourism future The week's discussions underlined a shared vision: tourism led by Africans, powered by innovation, and rooted in cultural identity. Delegates stressed that technology and Artificial Intelligence must serve people first, by widening market access, easing travel, and reinforcing ethical standards. On the sidelines of the 68th CAF meeting, UN Tourism held a Technical Workshop on AI and Innovation shaping Tourism and Creative Industries for local officials. Discussions focused on placing AI tools and innovation to be at the forefront of tourism development across Africa, as well as on supporting education and entrepreneurial skills for growth as well as the importance of public-private partnerships.
