High-Level Event on Boosting Africa’s Transformative Power of Tourism
Africa is the land of diverse cultural and natural heritage with mesmerizing landscapes, unique wildlife, and remarkable historical sites. In 2019, the African continent had the world’s second fastest growing tourism industry. Nearly 70 million international tourists visited Africa and travel and tourism brought about $180 billion to the continent’s GDP.
However, the COVID-19 crisis had a devastating effect on all social and economic sectors, particularly travel and tourism. One billion less international tourists travelled globally in 2020 and Africa recorded a 75-percent fall in international tourists arrivals.
The situation remains dire as waves of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to rage through the African continent.
Reopening tourism is a critical part of the African COVID 19 recovery. Active travel and tourism policies will be critical in re-igniting and maximizing the gains from tourism across the continent. Ahead of the Tokyo International Conference on
African Development in 2022, co-organisers, Japan, Tunisia, the African Union, the UN Development Programme, the UN Office for the Special Adviser on Africa and the World Bank, are bringing all actors together to help African tourism recover from the socioeconomic set back caused by the COVID-19 crisis.
The High-Level event on “Boosting Africa’s Transformative Power of Tourism” will discuss important changes needed in the travel and tourism industry and look at how communities relying on tourism can be supported in these difficult times. Speakers will also explore how to foster the role of tourism as a catalyst that spurs innovation and public-private partnerships towards inclusive, green and sustainable socio-economic growth across the continent.
Echoing this year’s theme of the Africa Dialogue Series on “Cultural Identity and Ownership: Reshaping mindsets” and the African Union Theme of the Year for 2021: “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building an African We Want", the Permanent Missions of Japan and Tunisia together with the TICAD co-organizers present an opportunity to reimagine the potential of tourism to help societies recover from the pandemic and promote positive changes for all, including sustainable development and sustainable peace.
Related documents:
Concept Note on the High-Level Event on “Boosting Africa’s Transformative Power of Tourism”
Speakers at the High-Level Event on "Boosting Africa's Transformative Power of Tourism"
Register on: bit.ly/BoostingAfricaTourism