Agenda 2063 at the center of Ministerial Working Group on Tourism sector development strategy for Africa

African Experts in tourism have today 13 March 2014 converged in Seychelles ahead of the meeting of the Ministerial Working Group on the Tourism Sector development  strategy for AU Agenda strategy 2063 scheduled to take place tomorrow 14 March 2014 under the theme: “Tourism: A Transformative Force for Africa”.

The opening ceremony was co-chaired by  Ambassador Maurice Lousteau-Lalanne, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles and Mr. Aboubakari Baba-Moussa,  Director of Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union, in the presence of Ambassador Baso Sangqu, Chief Adviser of the AUC Chairperson, Mrs. Estherine Lisenge-Fotabong, Director, Program Implementation and Coordination of NEPAD Agency, Representatives from AU Member States, the Department of the AU Trade and Industry and the AU Department of Infrastructure and Energy.  

Ambassador Lousteau-Lalanne stated that, Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest growing destinations for overseas inbound tourism. “Therefore time for Member States to come together and work in unity to promote the tourism sector on the continent”, he underlined.

Participants were introduced to the AU Agenda 2063 by Mr. Mandla M. Madonsela, Director of Strategy, Policy, Planning Monitoring and Evaluation and Resource Mobilisation (SPPMERM) of the AU.  He outlined what he described as a very ambitious development agenda of the AU, saying this agenda is imperative for the tourism sector in Africa. He outlined the seven aspirations of the Agenda which are: a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development; an integrated continent, politically united, and based on the ideals of Panafricanism; an Africa of good governance, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law; a peaceful and secure Africa; an Africa with a strong cultural identity, values and ethics;  an Africa whose development is people-driven, especially relying on the potential offered by its youth and women; and Africa as a strong and influential global player and partner.

Ambassador Baso reiterated the importance of aligning the strategy development on the tourism sector with the aspirations of the AU Agenda 2063 as the continent needs to position itself as the best tourism destination in the world. He said serious actions needs to be taken so that in the coming years this sector becomes a growing economy for most African countries given the natural resources and potentials in the continent.

Some of the challenges the experts  outlined include: the need for  strong political desire to develop the industry; government to render support to the industry and work with the private sector; attracting private investment to help finance and sustain the industry; facilitate air access, proper infrastructure and manpower; tourism to be integrated into every part of the society so that both government and population will have a role to play;  bureaucracy; heavy tourism investment taxes; proper communication ; visas; security and underdeveloped healthcare infrastructure; airline and land transport costs and airport facilities. 

The experts exchanged views on the following questions: what goals should African tourism set itself in-order to contribute to higher levels of incomes, employment and longevity; how can the tourism sector contribute to the transformation of African economies including the small island states as envisaged in the peoples aspiration for prosperity; how can tourism contribute to the envisaged increase in intra-Africa trade in goods and services; what goals and targets should tourism 2063 set itself  to contribute to a peaceful and secure Africa;  how can tourism 2063 promote Africa’s cultural identity, values and ethics.

The experts brainstormed on the contribution of tourism to the envisaged substantial increase in Africa’s share of the global trade in goods and services. They underscored the need to ensure the development of regional integrated tourism policies to be implemented in a concerted manner that would ensure that all member states in the region benefit from the policy as well as a continental tourism platform which will set service standards, coordinate win-win frameworks between regions and ensure Africa's competitiveness in the global tourism business.