The UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili has emphasized the crucial role of connectivity, investment, and skills development in building a more resilient and prosperous tourism sector for both Africa and Americas.Meanwhile, UN Tourism Secretary-General, Pololikashvii expressed his gratitude to Zambia for hosting the 2nd UN Tourism Africa and Americas summit in Livingstone noting the city’s impressive hospitality and the warm welcome extended to attendees.
Addressing delegates at the 2nd UN Tourism Africa and Americas summit in Livingstone, Zambia, Pololikashvili expressed his gratitude to Zambia for hosting the summit in Livingstone, noting the city’s impressive hospitality and the warm welcome extended to attendees.
The Secretary-General underscored the significance of the summit as a testament to the enduring commitment of Africa and the Americas to cross-border and intercontinental cooperation. He highlighted the sector’s remarkable recovery and potential, citing UN Tourism data indicating that international arrivals reached 1.4 billion in 2024, representing 99% of pre-pandemic levels.
Africa experienced a 12% increase in international travelers, welcoming 74 million, while the Americas saw 213 million arrivals, reaching approximately 97% of 2019 figures.Pololikashvili stressed the proven ability of connectivity to foster economic and cultural exchange, reiterating UN Tourism’s commitment to working with member states to enhance connections within and between regions.
He also highlighted the role of investment as a key driver of development and progress. He noted that Africa and the Americas attracted over $40 billion in foreign direct investment between 2019 and 2023, generating approximately 150,000 jobs across 520 greenfield projects. He also pointed out the increasing trend towards environmentally conscious tourism investments, aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, representing Vice President W.K. Mutale Nalumango, highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing the challenges posed by recent global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the El Niño drought. He emphasized the critical role of connectivity in facilitating the movement of people and ideas, advocating for streamlined visa processes and enhanced logistical frameworks stating that as tangible demonstration of this commitment, Zambia announced the expansion of visa-free travel to nationals from an additional 53 countries, bringing the total to 167.
The Minister also underscored the necessity of strategic investment in sustainable and innovative tourism projects.
He cited UN Tourism data indicating significant growth in international tourist arrivals and export revenues within the Africa and Americas regions, as well as substantial foreign direct investment in the sector.
He urged public and private sector representatives to forge partnerships aimed at channeling investments into projects that promote sustainable development.Addressing the issue of skilled workforce development, Minister Sikumba acknowledged the sector’s labor-intensive nature and the current shortage of qualified professionals.
He called for prioritizing education and training programs to equip the workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet evolving industry demands.
He emphasized the importance of empowering youth and creating pathways to opportunities, positioning them as future leaders in the tourism sector.
Sikumba encouraged delegates to engage actively, share insights, and foster new partnerships, emphasizing the invaluable contributions of local communities to tourism development.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic and in his capacity as Chairperson of the UN Tourism Commission for Africa, Vice Minister Carlos Peguero underscored the transformative power of tourism beyond its economic impact, positioning it as a vital instrument for social and cultural development.
He highlighted its capacity to foster inclusion, generate employment opportunities, and strengthen the unique cultural identities of nations within both regions.Drawing attention to the deep historical and cultural ties between Africa and the Americas, stemming from the era of the transatlantic slave trade, Peguero emphasized the potential of tourism to celebrate and further strengthen these enduring connections.
He called for leveraging this shared heritage to drive economic development and promote sustainable tourism practices.
He also lauded Zambia for hosting the summit and reiterated the commitment of the Dominican Republic to working alongside African nations to ensure that tourism serves as a robust pillar for development across both continents.
The UN Tourism Africa and Americas Summit has been officially declared open, with a focus on unlocking the full potential of tourism as a catalyst for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and cultural enrichment.
