AFRICA SETS NEW COURSE FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT WITH UN LEADERSHIP ROLES

New leadership roles, push to build a tourism model led by Africans, powered by innovation, and rooted in cultural identity.

Africa Global tourism Leadership position Innovation.
Africa Takes Leadership Roles at the Global Tourism Sector
Africa Takes Leadership Roles at the Global Tourism Sector

Africa has taken a bold step toward asserting leadership in the global tourism sector as several countries secured strategic positions within the governance structure of UN Tourism during its 68th Regional Commission for Africa session held in Abuja.

Angola, Kenya, Seychelles, Zambia, and Zimbabwe were appointed to the Executive Council for the 2025–2029 term, giving the continent a stronger voice in shaping global tourism policies. Zambia will assume the presidency of the Regional Commission from 2025 to 2027, while Angola and Nigeria will serve as vice-presidents, marking a significant shift in tourism governance from participation to decision-making.

The appointments are part of a broader push to build a tourism model led by Africans, powered by innovation, and rooted in cultural identity.

Speaking at the session, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in Africa’s tourism revival. “Progress rests on partnership, and Africa’s story is one of resilience and renewal,” he said.

A new roadmap outlining the future of African tourism was unveiled at the session, anchored on three core pillars: digital innovation, creative economy, and youth development.

The first pillar focuses on closing the digital gap and expanding market access through technology. Morocco has been selected to lead this drive through the newly established Thematic Bureau on Innovation for Africa. The bureau is expected to attract investment, support digital transformation, and build technological capacity across tourism sectors in African countries.

The second pillar aims to harness Africa’s rich creative industries, including music, film, fashion, and gastronomy, as tools for inclusive growth. Rather than relying solely on traditional tourism infrastructure, the strategy seeks to redirect tourist spending toward local artists and cultural entrepreneurs, ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism reach more communities.

The third pillar centers on education and entrepreneurship, with Zambia and Zimbabwe planning to establish specialized academies to train young Africans in tourism management, innovation, and sustainability. These programs are expected to empower a new generation of tourism leaders and create more jobs for youth across the continent.

Seychelles was announced as the host of the 69th session of the Regional Commission, while Cabo Verde secured hosting rights for World Tourism Day 2027. These developments further reflect Africa’s growing capacity to host high-level international tourism events and lead global conversations on sustainable travel.

In a joint declaration at the end of the Abuja session, African tourism ministers and UN officials outlined their collective ambition: “Tourism led by Africans, powered by innovation, and rooted in cultural identity.” The statement signals a decisive break from dependency models and positions tourism as a strategic tool for self-reliance, economic diversification, and cultural empowerment.

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