Unlocking the tourism sector growth through investment which is capable of driving sustainable growth and development was top of the agenda when Tourism Ministers from across Africa came together for the first UNWTO Global Investment Forum in Africa.
The high-level meeting saw the participation of representatives of more than 40 countries, including Vice President of Côte d’Ivoire H.E. Daniel Kablan Duncan throughout the event. Joining them were key representatives from the African Development Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC) World Bank Group and from across the private sector, including from Marriott International, Accor, Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Uber.
While declaring the forum open, Secretary-General, UNWTO Zurab Pololikashvili, he posited that the gathering is a contribution to the UNWTO Agenda for Africa for sustainable growth through tourism.
“The UNWTO Agenda for Africa is an ambitious roadmap aimed at guiding African tourism towards sustainable growth between now and 2030. At the heart of this plan is unlocking growth through the promotion of investments and through the power of public-private partnerships. This Forum shows the high level of interest among our African Member States, and I am confident this will be the first of many high-level events aimed at driving investment in a sector whose potential to develop communities and transform lives is almost limitless” he said.
The inaugural forum offered a platform to discuss the key challenges and opportunities relating to the development of African tourism through investments. These include building a more attractive business environment and potential reforms to obtaining credit, registering property and trading across national borders.
Under the chairmanship of Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Côte d’Ivoire, the Forum issued a set of recommendations that will be submitted to the 63rd UNWTO Commission for Africa which will take place in the Republic of Seychelles from March 25-27, 2020.
