African ministers to debate opportunities in tourism

January 6, 2017 – More than 20 ministers of tourism from Africa will debate the opportunities that the sector can bring to the continent at the Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa (INVESTOUR) which will be held during the International Tourism Fair in Spain (FITUR) from January 18-24.

INVESTOUR will focus on the role of sustainable tourism to foster social inclusion and prosperity. Organized in cooperation with Casa Africa, it will this year include two round tables: ‘Technology and design of new touristic products’ and ‘Capacity development for youth and women in tourism.’

The potential of tourism in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will also be examined during FITUR through a ministerial discussion forum jointly organized by UNWTO and Casa Árabe. The event will focus on sustaining growth and strengthening the resilience of tourism in the region.

The international tourism fair in Spain will comprise a number of events organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

UNWTO has prepared a number of events with a special focus on sustainable tourism, starting with the official presentation of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 on January 18.
Also on January 18 the 13th Edition of the UNWTO Awards on Innovation and Excellence in Tourism will commence with some of the best examples of sustainable tourism around the world. Preceding the ceremony on January 16, the Awards Forum will serve to present the 12 projects shortlisted from 139 initiatives that were received from 55 countries.

Written by Nordic Africa News
Photo: Liberia’s Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Eugene Nagbe (right) presented his country’s tourism development plan to UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai during a ceremony in London in November.

African ministers to debate opportunities in tourism