Tourism leaders from both Africa and the Americas have jointly committed to working together to make the sector a pillar of collective sustainable and inclusive development across both continents.

The “Punta Cana Declaration” was adopted at the conclusion of the very first joint meeting of UN Tourism’s Regional Commissions for Africa and the Americas and followed two days of shared dialogue around the key themes of education and investments into the sector. Recognizing the historic ties between the two regions, as well their unique and complementary cultures, the Summit served as a landmark platform for strengthened cooperation, capitalizing on innovation, education, investments and creative industries for the future development of tourism.

This summit offers a unique platform to forge connections and build bridges between Africa and the Americas, create strategic cross-regional partnerships, foster South-South cooperation projects, all for the benefit of the tourism sector of the two regions

Welcoming around 200 high-level participants among them 14 Ministers, representing 27 countries (15 from the Americas and 12 from Africa), UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “This summit offers a unique platform to forge connections and build bridges between Africa and the Americas, create strategic cross-regional partnerships, foster South-South cooperation projects, all for the benefit of the tourism sector of the two regions.”

Joining the UN Tourism leadership in welcoming delegates and encouraging the building of bridges between the two regions were David Collado, Minister of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Dominican Republic, Chair of the Regional Commission for the Americas, and Auxillia Mnangagwa, Patron for Tourism in Zimbabwe, the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona said: “Africa and the Americas are endowed with rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and profound historical connections. Yet, we recognize that due to multiple challenges—such as limited connectivity, regulatory and administrative barriers, and a lack of mutual market awareness—our cross-tourism relationship is not as strong as it could and should be.

Our goal today is to address these challenges head-on, fostering collaboration that will drive economic development, promote cultural exchange, and encourage sustainable practices benefiting all our communities.”

The Punta Cana Declaration

As a clear signal of South-South cooperation, the Punta Cana Declaration set out a set of shared commitments for the development of tourism as a driver of inclusive development. Through the Declaration, tourism leaders from both regions recognize the important need to “intensify joint efforts to promote sustainable development” through tourism, with a firm focus on “strategic investments, education, innovation and the creative industries”.. Embodying the spirit of the landmark Punta Cana Summit, the Declaration also emphasizes the importance of tourism as a tool for the preservation of shared and unique culture and heritage.

The signatories of the Declaration signalled their intention to “redouble their efforts”, most notably in the following areas:

Strategic investments: To strengthen public-private partnerships, stimulate investments into the sector, and prioritize investments through effective policymaking. Also, to boost connectivity between the two regions, both in terms of improved air links as well as strengthened cultural exchange.

Skills development and training: To prioritize investment in tourism education and training, to expand access to online and offline learning and to promote the use of innovation and new digital skills to enhance the knowledge of the tourism workforce.

Innovation: To support competitions for start-up enterprises and entrepreneurs in both regions, , to better support MSMEs, including in rural communities, and to promote innovative solutions focused on sustainability and climate action.

Creative industries: To promote the role of the cultural and creative industries in the tourism sector, including through funding for projects with the potential to attract tourists and grow new and diverse destinations and cultural routes, and to ensure the benefits the sector delivers are focused on social and inclusive development.

Inter-regional cooperation: To support market analysis and other research to identify potential areas of shared growth and opportunity, to develop shared strategies for tourism development, including through digital media, new products and international tourism trade fairs.

Investments and Education: “Building a better tomorrow, today”

In line with UN Tourism’s wider focus on investments in tourism, the Summit brought together public and private sector leaders, alongside key representatives of financial institutions to assess the current landscape and trends and outlook for Africa and the Americas.

The high-level speakers noted the huge potential for joint investment initiatives between the two regions, emphasizing the growing role of public and private banks. The Summit also focused on the vital importance of investments for driving the green transition of tourism in both Africa and the Americas, most notably in infrastructure and in the hotel sector.

Alongside innovation, the Summit also placed the spotlight on education and training, noting the urgent need for skilled workers in both regions. With the focus on “Young Talents Leading the Transformation, tourism leaders recognized the need for joint capacity-building initiatives, curriculum development, and partnerships between academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and governmental bodies.

Source:    UNWTO

Kenya’s Ministry of Interior has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Tourism to enhance tourist security. The agreement, signed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, aims to improve cooperation with the National Police Service.

The MoU will provide resources to the Tourism Police Unit through the Tourism Fund, ensuring the safety and well-being of both local and foreign visitors. Kindiki stated that this collaboration would help expand the sector and create more job opportunities.

The government aims to increase annual foreign tourist arrivals from 2 million to 5 million by 2027 and 10 million by 2032. Kenya generated Sh142.5 billion in tourism revenue in the first half of 2024, with international visitors increasing by 21.3% compared to 2023.

Tourism CS Miano highlighted the ministry’s commitment to strengthening links with the private sector, aiming to make tourism the country’s leading foreign exchange earner and job creator. Domestic tourism also saw growth, with a 10% increase in bed nights recorded compared to the previous year.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by senior government officials, including Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Kenya Police Service Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.

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Source: AllAfrica

Kenya’s tourism sector is set for a significant boost following the unveiling of nine regional tourism circuits by the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.

Launched as part of the broader Tembea Kenya initiative, the circuits aim to diversify Kenya’s tourism offerings and promote lesser-known attractions, targeting both domestic and international tourists.

These circuits, covering all 47 counties, mark a renewed effort to reimagine the country’s tourism landscape and present Kenya as a destination that offers a wide array of experiences ranging from adventure and culture to eco-tourism and wellness.

The launch event, held in Kisumu County, was graced by Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, who underscored the importance of the circuits in reinvigorating Kenya’s tourism industry.

Miano emphasized that these circuits would provide travelers with holistic and immersive experiences, taking them on a journey through Kenya’s diverse attractions. She highlighted the initiative’s focus on aligning with global travel trends, while emphasizing conservation and sustainability.

The circuits are designed to cater to various niche markets, including adventure, sports, cultural tourism, eco-tourism, and wellness tourism, offering something for every type of traveler.

The nine tourism circuits span different regions: the Nairobi Circuit, Central Kenya Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Northern Circuit, Western Circuit, Southern Circuit, North Rift Circuit, South Rift Circuit, and Eastern Circuit.

Each circuit showcases unique features from the respective regions, ranging from Nairobi’s urban culture to the beaches and marine life of the Coastal Circuit, the desert landscapes in the Northern Circuit, and the rich cultural heritage of the Western Circuit.

This regional approach is expected to encourage travelers to explore Kenya in a more immersive way, highlighting attractions that were previously overlooked or underdeveloped.

One of the core goals of the Tembea Kenya initiative is to stimulate domestic tourism by encouraging Kenyans to explore the beauty and diversity of their own country. To achieve this, Miano announced plans for targeted marketing campaigns to promote the circuits among local travelers.

She urged Kenyans to savor the diverse experiences their home regions have to offer, and revealed that the Ministry will be launching a nationwide photo contest, inviting citizens to share images that capture the essence of their regions. The initiative not only promotes tourism but also encourages pride in local culture and heritage.

The unveiling of the nine circuits coincided with Kenya Tourism Week celebrations, which took place in Kisumu County. As part of the celebrations, various events and activities were organized to highlight the unique tourist attractions of the region, including visits to Ndeere Island and tree planting at Kajulu Hills.

Cultural showcases, such as fashion shows and street art displays, also took center stage. The involvement of local youth was a key element of the celebrations, with hackathons and other programs providing platforms for young people to demonstrate their innovation and creativity in promoting tourism.

Narok County Governor, Patrick Ole Ntutu, who chairs the Council of Governors’ Tourism and Wildlife Committee, expressed strong support for the new circuits.

He called for increased government investment in the tourism sector, pointing out that tourism, if properly developed, has the potential to become the largest contributor to Kenya’s GDP and a major source of employment, particularly for the youth.

Ntutu emphasized the immense potential of the tourism sector in driving economic growth across counties, and he pledged to advocate for greater prioritization of tourism at the county level.

According to Ntutu, the new circuits provide an opportunity for counties to harness their unique attractions and contribute to the national economy.

Youth engagement and participation were key themes at the event, as evidenced by the tourism excellence awards that were presented. Categories like Start-up Company of the Year, Conservation Champion of the Year, Travel Content Creator of the Year, Peace Advocate, and Community Impact Award recognized the contributions of individuals and organizations making a positive impact in tourism and conservation.

The youth-driven hackathon also garnered attention, producing an innovative technology-based solution for conference packaging, which could further enhance Kenya’s tourism sector.

Principal Secretary for Tourism, John Ololtuaa, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with county governments to enhance the competitiveness of tourism destinations across all regions.

He noted that the circuits would enable the Ministry to focus efforts on increasing bed nights, lengthening visitor stays, encouraging repeat visits, and ultimately improving the overall visitor experience.

By collaborating with counties, the Ministry aims to address any existing gaps in infrastructure and services, ensuring the growth of tourism nationwide.

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO, June Chepkemei, emphasized that the KTB would play a key role in marketing the circuits to highlight Kenya’s diverse attractions. She pointed out that promoting tourism in all counties would drive inclusive growth and solidify Kenya’s position as a must-visit destination for both local and international travelers.

Chepkemei highlighted that by showcasing the unique offerings of every region, the circuits will spread tourism benefits more evenly, helping to uplift local economies and create opportunities for communities across the country.

The unveiling of the nine tourism circuits marks a major milestone in Kenya’s tourism strategy, offering travelers new, exciting, and diverse experiences.

By promoting regional tourism and focusing on emerging travel trends, Kenya is poised to enhance its reputation as a top global destination while boosting domestic travel. The circuits have energized the tourism sector, with county governments, local communities, and youth actively participating in shaping the future of Kenya’s tourism industry.

As the Kenya Tourism Week celebrations come to a close, it is clear that the country’s tourism landscape is set to enter a dynamic new phase, with the circuits playing a crucial role in driving sustainable growth and enhancing the visitor experience.

Source:   Standard Media