Clone of Africa News Issue 24

Comme vous le savez, les derniers chiffres montrent que l’Afrique s’est nettement redressée depuis la pandémie. Les arrivées internationales dans la région sont maintenant supérieures de 6 % à leur niveau de 2019 et certaines destinations affichent une performance encore meilleure. Ces chiffres témoignent de la résilience du secteur et des efforts assidus de celles et ceux qui pilotent le développement du tourisme dans chacun de nos États membres.

Au cours de l’année écoulée, j’ai eu le privilège d’apprécier par moi-même ce que le tourisme africain offre de mieux. Avec mon équipe, nous avons reçu un accueil très chaleureux durant nos visites officielles dans la région. Au mois de juillet, nous avons convié les dirigeants à la soixante-septième réunion de notre Commission régionale pour l’Afrique. En cette occasion, un guide spécialement consacré à la Zambie de notre série Tourism Doing Business a été rendu public, exposant les nombreuses possibilités à saisir pour les investisseurs. J’attends avec intérêt le lancement prochain d’autres guides d’investissement pour des destinations africaines.

Juste de l’autre côté de la frontière, à Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), j’ai pu apprécier la gastronomie africaine d’aujourd’hui et de demain. L’établissement d’une Académie internationale des arts culinaires sera une formidable avancée, pour soutenir les immenses talents que l’on trouve dans la région et développer cette dimension nouvelle et passionnante de l’expérience touristique, au Zimbabwe et sur tout le continent.

Or, l’Afrique ne s’est pas juste ouverte au tourisme de gastronomie. Lors de ma dernière visite officielle dans la région cette année, je suis allé à Kigali pour l’Assemblée générale de la FIA qui a réuni les dirigeants mondiaux du sport automobile. Leur concours est indispensable pour tirer parti du gigantesque potentiel du tourisme sportif au service de la croissance et de la diversification économique de la région.

Nous allons assurément poursuivre sur cette lancée en cette nouvelle année qui commence. Nous continuerons de travailler avec tous nos États membres africains pour exploiter la puissance de l’innovation sur notre continent, le plus jeune de la planète, mobiliser les investissements et développer de nouveaux segments pour un tourisme profitant à tous.

Merci de votre attention.  

On retiendra parmi les moments marquants de l'année la soixante-septième réunion de la Commission pour l'Afrique et la deuxième Conférence régionale sur la marque Afrique à Livingstone (Zambie), qui ont rassemblé les dirigeants et les parties prenantes pour explorer les moyens de mieux positionner l'Afrique comme une destination touristique mondiale de tout premier ordre. Le lancement en Zambie du guide Tourism Doing Business: Investir en Zambie et l'annonce de l'Académie internationale de tourisme et d'hôtellerie ZITHS Mukuni ont représenté des étapes importantes pour former la prochaine génération de dirigeants africains du secteur du tourisme.

À Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), le premier Forum régional d'ONU Tourisme sur le tourisme de gastronomie a rappelé l'importance de ce segment. Les démarches engagées par le Zimbabwe pour ouvrir l'Académie internationale africaine des arts culinaires démontrent que la gastronomie a la capacité de rapprocher les cultures et d'autonomiser les communautés locales.

En parallèle, la Sierra Leone s'est imposée comme un fer de lance de l'égalité des genres en organisant le Congrès régional sur les femmes du secteur du tourisme « Par-delà l'éducation, l'innovation et l'accès à la finance ».

Ce fut une tribune privilégiée pour défendre le leadership féminin dans le secteur du tourisme et chercher à assurer un avenir plus inclusif pour tous.

L'initiative de « marque Afrique » permet de tenir un discours nouveau en faisant voir le dynamisme, la résilience et l'immense potentiel du continent. La croissance positive enregistrée cette année est le fruit des efforts de relance de l'Afrique et des pays tels que la République-Unie de Tanzanie, le Maroc et Maurice affichent des taux remarquables de croissance des arrivées internationales et des recettes du tourisme.

Les grands enjeux pour l'avenir du tourisme ont été abordés en diverses occasions cette année. Au Botswana, ce sont les jeunes entrepreneurs, les industries créatives et l'ouverture des régimes de visa qui ont été sur le devant de la scène. À Cabo Verde, les discussions ont porté sur la diversification de l'offre touristique tandis qu'on a vu, au Rwanda, la manière dont le tourisme culturel et le tourisme d'aventure peuvent, de même que le tourisme sportif, stimuler l'innovation et avoir un retentissement mondial.

Les discussions autour du Réseau international des observatoires du tourisme durable d'ONU Tourisme ont rassemblé les parties prenantes pour échanger les meilleures pratiques en vue d'aligner l'action régionale sur les objectifs mondiaux en matière de durabilité. 
C'est avec enthousiasme que j'aborde l'année 2025 et les grands rendez-vous au calendrier : deuxième édition du sommet Afrique-Amériques d'ONU Tourisme en Zambie, soixante-huitième réunion de la Commission pour l'Afrique au Nigéria, deuxième Conférence ministérielle d'ONU Tourisme et de l'OACI sur le tourisme et le transport aérien en Afrique accueillie en Angola et vingt-sixième session de l'Assemblée générale d'ONU Tourisme en Arabie saoudite, qui promettent d'être autant de tremplins pour aller encore plus loin, portés par cet élan.

Je voudrais remercier tous les dirigeants, acteurs, voyageurs ou défenseurs de l'image de l'Afrique pour votre soutien constant et votre adhésion à notre vision commune. Alors que l'année se termine, je vous souhaite une très belle période de fêtes et une année 2025 prospère. Ensemble, continuons d'œuvrer à un avenir encore plus radieux et connecté pour l'Afrique grâce à la force transformatrice du tourisme.

Bonnes fêtes de fin d'année et heureuse année 2025 !

To kickstart this journey, there is strong interest in launching a Bridge Programme for Educators, inspired by the UN Tourism Academy's Tourism Faculty Development Programme (TFDP). Through a cascading approach, the pool of qualified trainers created through the programs will become a scalable resource for impact. The initial phase aims to train 60 educators, with a vision to expand to 700.

While construction of the Academy building is underway, alternative plans are in place to begin initial training at the Lusaka Academy.

A notable highlight in this journey was the 3rd Travel, Hospitality & Tourism Education Summit, held  in Lusaka, Zambia, in April 2025. During this summit, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized the importance of aligning tourism education with industry needs. The event served as a strategic platform to explore how education, training, and workforce development can act as catalysts for sustainable growth in Africa's tourism sector.

The Academy is on track to sign  the agreement during the first half of 2025, and a grand opening at the beginning of 2026. The site for the building has been selected, with benchmarking efforts underway to ensure top-tier facilities. The curriculum will spotlight Culinary Arts, Gastronomy, and Human Resources, equipping students with essential industry expertise.

As Zimbabwe strengthens its position in global tourism and hospitality, the  Academy will serve as a key driver of talent and innovation.

Building on the overall theme of the Presidency - Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability - as a knowledge partner, UN Tourism is working together with South Africa on the four priorities proposed for the Tourism Working Group, namely: 

1. People-centred Artificial Intelligence (AI) and innovation to enhance travel and tourism start-ups and MSMEs
2. Tourism financing and investment to enhance equality and promote sustainable development.
3. Air connectivity for seamless travel
4. Enhanced resilience for inclusive, sustainable tourism development.

The first Tourism Working Group Meeting was held online on 5 March 2025, bringing together representatives from the G20 countries, invited countries and International Organizations. This virtual meeting represented an opportunity to jointly advance the development of the deliverables related to the above priorities.

The visit featured participatory workshops, interviews, site visits, stock-take meetings, capacity-building sessions, and surveys. This hands-on approach ensures that the recommendations align with the village’s specific needs and tourism potential.

Cap Malheureux in Mauritius, which is among the 20 villages selected in 2024 for the Upgrade Programme, will also undergo the mentorship process later this year, benefiting from tailored guidance to enhance its rural tourism development.

Delivered in collaboration with Green Destinations, this session explored how sustainability strategies can be effectively implemented at the village level.

Designed to support all 254 member villages of the Network worldwide, the Knowledge Series provides expert-led insights to help local stakeholders – including MSMEs, public and private sector representatives, and civil society – develop tailored, sustainable tourism solutions.
With a strong focus on practical guidance and real-world applications, this first session set the stage for a year of capacity-building aimed at driving meaningful change in rural communities.

Currently, the 20 villages from Africa that are part of the Network represent Cabo Verde, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Rwanda, and Uganda.

This milestone offers African Member States, along with all UN Tourism Member States, the opportunity to use and integrate STAR into their national tourism strategies. By adhering to the terms, authorities can create national groups to use the tool, integrate public information into its recommendations, and access dedicated aggregated data tailored for their country once a critical mass of users is reached.

Developed by UN Tourism, STAR helps national and local authorities evaluate tourism policies, compare them with global best practices, and identify key areas for improvement to enhance rural tourism development.

For details on Member State registration, contact rural@unwto.org. More information is available on the STAR website and open information repository.

The programme will offer  financial and technical support to community-driven tourism initiatives focused on artisans and artists to support cultural preservation, economic opportunities, and sustainability. Emphasizing capacity building, market access, and product development, these projects will empower artisans, MSMEs, and local communities while promoting women and youth inclusion.

By fostering innovative tourism solutions, T4RD-SGP reinforces tourism's role in addressing depopulation and economic resilience in rural areas.

For more information, visit the T4RD-SGP programme page.

According to IATA, international air travel demand grew 8% in January-March 2025 versus Q1 2024, while international air capacity was up 7%. Global occupancy rates in accommodation establishments reached 64% in March, about the same level as in March 2024 (65%). Industry indicators are available at the UN Tourism Data Dashboard.

For further information: International tourist arrivals grew 5% in Q1 2025

Held on 22 January 2025 under the theme “Tourism: Commitment and Pride of Belonging”, the event sparked vibrant discussions on key issues including  the importance of strategic alliances, public-private partnerships, accessible quality education and mentorship programmes to empower the next generation of tourism leaders, and the need for greater inclusive, participatory, and sustainable approaches to tourism development. 

A key highlight of the event was the “Africa Outlook” session, featuring two members of the Women in Tourism Leadership Africa Committee (WITLAC): Ms. Mulemwa Moongwa, Governing Council Chairperson at the Zambia Institute of Tourism & Hospitality Studies (ZITHS), and Ms. Cecile Sombo-Dobele, Founder of TAMTAM Guide in the Democratic Republic of Congo. WITLAC, a pan-African committee supported by various African Member States and facilitated by UN Tourism, is committed to empowering women in tourism across Africa. It serves as a platform for shaping policies and initiatives that address gender disparities and foster greater leadership opportunities for women in the tourism sector. 

The airline's fleet modernization consists of an ambitious plan to incorporate new aircraft. TAAG has already received a Boeing 787 Dreamliner which   recently completed its first service on the Luanda–Johannesburg route, and two Airbus A220-300 aircraft, now operating regional routes.
These additions will allow TAAG to connect more African cities, facilitating trade, tourism and mobility between countries.

At the same time, TAAG's stopover strategy has a significant impact on the country's tourism, promoting Angola as an attractive tourist destination and increasing the country's visibility on the global stage.

By offering passengers the opportunity to experience Angola's culture, history and natural beauty, TAAG contributes to the diversification of the country's tourism offer.

By its second year of operation, the zipline is projected to attract 25% of all park visitors and generate 9% of the annual tourism revenues. This will significantly impact the park's financial sustainability, which is expected to be achieved by the end of 2030.

Nyungwe National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated in the globally recognized biodiversity hotspot known as the Albertine Rift Region. This park is a vital source of ecosystem goods and services that are essential for wildlife and people".
 

Through immersive stories and visual content, creators promote unique landscapes, exceptional biodiversity and local traditions. By targeting an international audience, particularly in Europe and the Middle East, this digital campaign seeks to increase the notoriety of Madagascar and boost its tourism, thus contributing to lasting economic and cultural benefits.

Held under the theme “Sustainable Tourism: Driving Inclusive Growth,” ZATEX 2025 will showcase Zambia’s diverse tourism offerings and services. The expo will serve as a vital platform for both regional and international hosted buyers as well as media representatives from key source markets.

This year’s edition of ZATEX aims  to revitalize the tourism industry, stimulate local revenue growth, enable global partnerships, and reinforce domestic tourism. Above all, it underscores Zambia’s commitment to sustainable tourism development that benefits all stakeholders, as the country positions itself as a premier destination of choice for global, regional, and domestic travellers. 
To register visit: https://zatex.org 

Building on the United Nations Tourism Education Guidelines published in 2022, Zambia introduced the Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Education Summit (THTES) as a platform for dialogue among stakeholders to address the critical knowledge and skills gaps that were evident in the industry. 

The third edition of the Summit, held on 7 April 2025 in Lusaka, attracted 550 delegates from six countries. It was co-hosted by the Zambian Ministers of Tourism and Education and officiated by UN Tourism Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, making it the largest gathering of industry educators on the African continent.

From hackathon victor to global speaker, his inspiring journey showcased the transformative power of youth-led innovation. Sharing insights on Travel Bunny and UniversityX, he emphasized the critical role of technology and skills development in revolutionizing African tourism. Advocating passionately for youth empowerment as a catalyst for sustainable growth, his message resonated deeply with influential leaders, including Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili and Nigeria's former Minister of Information and National Orientation Lai Mohammed. His impactful participation underscored the summit's core focus on South-South cooperation, demonstrating tangible outcomes for young entrepreneurs across the continent. This summit served as a powerful platform, to showcase how innovation can drive the future of tourism development and foster collaborative partnerships between Africa and the Americas.