UN Tourism and ICAO Ministerial Conference in Africa Highlights Need for Enhanced Partnerships and Collaboration

Strategic Insights -

The second UN Tourism and ICAO Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa concluded with a unified call for partnerships and collaboration to unlock the region's growth, highlighting the critical connection between tourism and air transport for job creation, innovation, and regional mobility.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 300 international delegates attended the three-day conference, focusing on strengthening the alignment between tourism and air transport, two of Africa's fastest-growing sectors.
  • The conference emphasized the importance of infrastructure and regulatory reform, with calls for modernizing tourism and aviation infrastructure with public and private investment.
  • Delegates agreed that aligning aviation and tourism policies is vital to unlocking the continent's potential, particularly through open skies agreements, cohesive infrastructure planning, and public-private investment.
  • A central focus was placed on simplifying visa processes, promoting joint destination marketing, and removing travel barriers to stimulate intra-African tourism.
  • The Luanda Ministerial Statement was adopted, reaffirming Africa's collective commitment to developing a seamless, sustainable, and integrated travel ecosystem.
  • Pledges were made to modernize tourism and aviation infrastructure, advance mobility reforms, promote intra-African tourism, and empower youth and women through skills training and entrepreneurship support.
  • Africa welcomed 74 million international arrivals in 2024, a 7 percent increase over 2019 and 12 percent more than in 2023, indicating a strong recovery and renewed global interest in African destinations.

Statistics:

  • 74 million international arrivals in Africa in 2024, up 7 percent from 2019 and 12 percent from 2023 (UN Tourism).
  • Over 300 international delegates attended the UN Tourism and ICAO Ministerial Conference in Africa.
  • 3-day duration of the conference.
  • 7 percent increase in international arrivals in Africa from 2019 to 2024.
  • 12 percent increase in international arrivals in Africa from 2023 to 2024.

Sources:

  • UN Tourism
  • International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
  • Government of Angola
  • Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary-general, UN Tourism
  • Daniel Marcio, Angola's Minister of Tourism
  • Ricardo de Abreu, Angola's Minister of Transport
  • Salvatore Sciacchitano, ICAO Council President
  • Luanda Ministerial Statement
  • UN Tourism is a specialized agency of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.