Facilitating sustainable investment flows in tourism to strengthen economic ties between Africa and the Americas is the goal set by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for its 1st Summit between the two regions, scheduled for October 3-5 in the Dominican Republic.
"In a context marked by global interconnectedness and cultural diversity, South-South cooperation between Africa and the Americas emerges as a key element in promoting sustainable development and achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda," emphasized the UN's specialized agency in a briefing note on this high-level ministerial dialogue to be held in Punta Cana, a popular resort destination in the Caribbean country.
According to official data, the two regions recorded a total of 267 million international tourist arrivals last year, generating $371 billion in revenue. This represents an increase of nearly 31% in arrivals compared to 2022. In terms of investments, between 2018 and 2023, 470 new facility projects were announced for both regions, totaling $37.4 billion and creating 131,763 jobs. "By joining forces to tackle challenges and seize opportunities offered by the tourism sector, the two regions can open new avenues for cultural exchanges, mutual prosperity, and environmental management. Furthermore, the meeting between the two regional commissions will highlight Africa’s influence in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly its profound and lasting impact on the region's culture, music, cuisine, and traditions," stated UNWTO.
The summit also aims to foster tourism innovation ecosystems by encouraging entrepreneurship among key stakeholders from both regions, promoting the development and adoption of new technologies, and strengthening alliances to address common challenges in areas such as climate change, inequality, and cultural preservation.
