(TAN): Mauritius recently hosted the impactful “Conference on Rethinking Africa: Rethinking Tourism for Africa,” where leaders, experts, and ministers convened to address global challenges and chart a course for sustainable tourism development.
The event, organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), provided a platform for African nations to collaboratively devise strategies to promote greener tourism practices, foster investment, and bolster partnerships for economic growth.
The conference centered around two pivotal thematic sessions. The first session, “Addressing Global Challenges,” was headlined by Steven Obeegadoo, the deputy prime minister and tourism minister of Mauritius, along with Albert Muchanga, commissioner for economic development, trade, tourism, industry, and minerals from the African Union.
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Guests and tourism ministers, including representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia, collectively explored how tourism can play a pivotal role in resolving global challenges while driving the Sustainable Development Agenda for 2030.
Under the banner of the second session, “Promoting Investment and Partnerships in Tourism for Economic Development,” the spotlight was on forging strategic collaborations and securing targeted investments to fortify the tourism sector. Natalia Bayona, UNWTO executive director, underscored the significance of the tourism investment climate, emphasizing sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity. With the aim of advancing these priorities, presentations were delivered by industry leaders, including Kevin Ramkaloan, CEO of Business Mauritius, and representatives from key institutions like the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Development Bank.
Diverse perspectives from Botswana’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Conservation, and Tourism, Philda Kereng, and Côte d’Ivoire’s Tourism Minister Siandou Fofana, enriched discussions on rethinking investments and partnerships.
The pinnacle of the conference was the unveiling of the “Mauritius Declaration,” a collaborative endeavour between the host nation and UNWTO. This declaration envisions a comprehensive programme of actions geared towards fostering sustainable and resilient tourism ecosystems through ethical practices, investment promotion, nature-based solutions, decarbonization, public health coordination, and more. The outlined measures include advocating for partnerships, promoting innovation, ensuring accessibility to financing, and embracing responsible and solidarity tourism.
To implement these measures successfully, the Mauritius Declaration calls for the support of various stakeholders. Member states of the UNWTO, the African Union Commission, regional economic communities, banking institutions, and international aid partners are all urged to contribute their resources and expertise to this noble cause.
