The African Development Bank (AfDB) has reaffirmed its support for Africa’s rapidly growing tourism sector, emphasizing its commitment to assisting member countries in developing their tourism industries.
According to tourismupdate.co.za, the AfDB’s dedication to sustainable, climate-smart local economic development within the tourism sector was highlighted during the 66th Tourism Conference organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Mauritius.
The conference, hosted by the Government of Mauritius, revolved around the theme “Rethinking Tourism for Africa: Promoting Investment and Partnerships; Addressing Global Challenges.” It gathered African tourism ministers and key industry stakeholders to discuss tourism development on the continent.
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Leila Mokaddem, Director General for the Southern Africa Regional Integration and Business Delivery Hub at AfDB, underscored the significance of tourism in the global economy and its potential to boost GDP, investment, and regional integration. Mauritius was praised as a success story in this regard.
The annual conference serves as a platform for public and private sector participants to exchange ideas and explore innovative strategies for promoting investment, fostering partnerships, and achieving sustainable growth in Africa’s tourism sector.
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The AfDB has identified the tourism sector as a priority in its strategy to accelerate Africa’s industrialization and green growth. In collaboration with the UNWTO, the specialized agency responsible for promoting tourism with a membership network of 158 countries, the AfDB aims to strengthen cooperation and establish a working arrangement through a Memorandum of Understanding.
This initiative aligns with the AfDB’s 2013-2022 Strategy and its High 5 priorities, which include industrializing Africa and improving the quality of life by creating conditions for decent jobs, particularly for youth.
Both parties recognize that their joint efforts will contribute to enhancing the tourism sector and addressing gaps in areas such as advocacy, policy development, and analytical advice. Discussions to finalize the signing of the MoU between the AfDB and UNWTO are currently underway.
