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Progress in Collaboration for Tourism Growth between Southern Regions at the Second United Nations Tourism Africa and Americas Assembly

South-South tourism collaboration advances, enacting the objectives of the Punta Cana Declaration, signed by African and American Member States, as overseen by the United Nations Tourism.

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South-South collaboration in tourism development has been accelerated by the United Nations,...
South-South collaboration in tourism development has been accelerated by the United Nations, aligning with the commitments made in the Punta Cana Declaration that was signed by member states from Africa and the Americas.

Progress in Collaboration for Tourism Growth between Southern Regions at the Second United Nations Tourism Africa and Americas Assembly

The areas of Africa and the Americas have experienced a substantial rebound from pandemic-related setbacks, as revealed by data from UN Tourism. In 2024, Africa welcomed 74 million international arrivals, marking a 7% increase compared to 2019, and a 12% rise compared to 2023. The Americas, meanwhile, welcomed approximately 213 million visitors, equating to nearly 97% of pre-pandemic travelers. The Summit underscored the close ties between the two regions, encompassing tourism traffic both within and between regions, as well as source markets for investment and recipients.

Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, emphasized the event's significance, stating, "This Summit serves as a testament to Africa and the Americas' enduring cooperation, transcending borders and oceans. Our roadmap will foster inclusive growth and maintain tourism as a catalyst for shared prosperity. Above all, our focus lies on empowering people, particularly the youth, to thrive in today's competitive world."

The Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Mutale Nalumango, underscored the importance of collaboration and shared connectivity in the face of common challenges. In a speech delivered by Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba, she stated, "The diversity of viewpoints and perspectives present here represents a wealth of knowledge which, when harnessed collectively, will enhance our ability to strengthen the resilient tourism sector we envision."

South-South Cooperation Through Investments

Investing in and directing tourism is a key emphasis of the Punta Cana Declaration. UN Tourism shared recent achievements in this priority area in Zambia. So far, 18 editions of the "Tourism Doing Business Guidelines" for investment have been published for destinations across Africa and the Americas, with an additional 10 in development.

The Guidelines underscore the immense potential for tourism investment within and between the regions. Between 2019 and 2024, Africa invested around USD 3.9 billion in 36 projects in the Americas, while Latin America and the Caribbean invested the same amount in 34 projects in Africa. To raise these levels, UN Tourism announced plans to organize a Biennial Africa-Americas Tourism Investment Conference. The Conference aims to bring together governments, financial institutions, private sector players, and development partners to boost cross-continental investment flows and target investment around shared priorities.

A Shared Future: Growth through Education

With over half of the tourism workforce under 25, the sector offers vast opportunities for young people, particularly in Africa, the world's youngest continent, and the Americas. To implement the education-focused aims of the Punta Cana Declaration, UN Tourism is advancing training in both regions. In Zambia, delegates were apprised of work in the Dominican Republic, where a collaboration with MIREX will provide training on diplomacy and tourism, set to launch this year.

Also at the Summit, delegates were given an update on the status of the planned Academy in collaboration with UN Tourism in Livingstone. The Academy will function as a hub for specialized education, joining UN Tourism's growing network of education centers. These include the International Academy for the Culinary Arts in Zimbabwe and a planned center in the Dominica Republic, in collaboration with INFOTEP. Moving forward, UN Tourism will aim to reach approximately 2,000 beneficiaries in both Africa and the Americas through its new WhatsApp courses for professional development.

Innovation for African-American Tourism Development

Hand-in-hand with education, the Punta Cana Declaration places innovation at the heart of South-South cooperation for tourism development. In Livingstone, UN Tourism announced the forthcoming launch of a first Start-Up Competition for the regions. The "Bridges of Innovation" challenge seeks out enterprises ready to address challenges in the areas of sustainability, inclusivity, and digital transformation, with a focus on local communities.

Investment will also serve as the main objective of the first UN Tourism Thematic Office in Morocco. The Office will function as a hub for innovation, with acceleration programs for regional start-ups, research and development, and the celebration of new talent through Tourism Tech Adventures.

Improved Connectivity and Tourist Safety

The Punta Cana Declaration aims to address challenges hindering tourism growth due to limited air connectivity. In Guatemala, UN Tourism has partnered with INGUAT to begin a joint Work Plan aimed at linking industry players to boost connections. Alongside this, a planned 2nd Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa will be held in Angola in July, with a focus on AI and innovation for connectivity.

The Africa & Americas Summit also showcased UN Tourism's progress in elevating safety standards for tourists and thus bolstering confidence in travel to both regions. In Livingstone, delegates received updates on the Safety of Destinations Initiative (SAFE-D), designed to boost public-private collaboration and promote crisis preparedness.

Related links:- Download News Release on PDF- 2nd UN Tourism Africa & Americas Summit- 2nd UN Tourism and ICAO Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa- Investment Guidelines

  1. The Punta Cana Declaration accentuates the investment in and direction of tourism as a key focus, underscored by UN Tourism's recent achievements in this area.
  2. The "Tourism Doing Business Guidelines" for investment, published for destinations across Africa and the Americas, emphasize the immense potential for tourism investment within and between the regions.
  3. In response to this potential, UN Tourism plans to organize a Biennial Africa-Americas Tourism Investment Conference to boost cross-continental investment flows and target investments around shared priorities.
  4. With over half of the tourism workforce under 25, education plays a crucial role in implementing the education-focused aims of the Punta Cana Declaration.
  5. In Zambia, UN Tourism announced work in the Dominican Republic, where a collaboration with MIREX will provide training on diplomacy and tourism, set to launch this year.
  6. The summit also highlighted the planned Academy in collaboration with UN Tourism in Livingstone, functioning as a hub for specialized education and joining UN Tourism's growing network of education centers.
  7. Hand-in-hand with education, innovation is at the heart of South-South cooperation for tourism development, as evidenced by UN Tourism's forthcoming Start-Up Competition for the regions.
  8. To address challenges hindering tourism growth due to limited air connectivity, UN Tourism is partnering with INGUAT in Guatemala to boost connections through a joint Work Plan, and organizing a 2nd Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa, focusing on AI and innovation for connectivity.

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