Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has called on African countries to adopt policies that promote eco-friendly tourism and preserve cultural heritage across the continent. Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, made this call while declaring open the 68th meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF) in Abuja. He emphasized the need for practical solutions and alliances to boost investment in tourism infrastructure and deepen the sector’s role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the African continent.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Tinubu aims to position Africa as a central figure in global discussions on harnessing tourism’s full potential to boost the continent’s economy. He expressed Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable tourism practices, reflecting the continent’s unique challenges. Tinubu encouraged collaboration with regional bodies such as the African Union, ECOWAS, and UN Tourism to promote eco-friendly tourism and preserve cultural heritage.
The President highlighted the importance of sharing best practices, tourism training, developing joint marketing campaigns for sustainable tourism, and improving infrastructure to support intra-African travel. He believes these regional initiatives can foster a continent-wide movement towards tourism benefiting both people and the environment, driving long-term prosperity.
Tourism, according to Tinubu, is more than just travel or visiting sites; it is an engine of local economies, a catalyst for social understanding, and a bridge uniting cultures. He noted that technology and creativity have transformed tourism, and the conference appropriately focuses on AI, Innovation, and Creative Industries’ impact on the sector.
Tinubu underscored the role of Nigeria’s creative industries in global tourism, including music, film, fashion, literature, and digital arts, as economic growth drivers. He cited Nollywood’s significance as one of the world’s largest film industries, along with Nigeria’s music and fashion industries, as examples of cultural influence and economic contribution.
The President stressed the necessity for government-private sector partnerships to build the tourism sector, given its growing complexity and opportunities. He urged participants to focus on practical solutions and collaborative strategies to strengthen intra-African travel, boost investment in tourism infrastructure, and empower local communities, while enhancing tourism’s role in achieving the SDGs.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, encouraged leveraging innovation and creative industries to unlock Africa’s global tourism potential. She emphasized President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” as the guiding principle for Nigeria’s sectoral transformation and urged African nations to unite for growth.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Amb. Zurab Pololikashvi commended the Tinubu administration’s support for transforming Nigeria’s tourism industry. He highlighted Africa as the new frontier in world tourism, urging leaders to address connectivity issues by reviewing visa regimes to ease tourist movement.
Sen. Ireti Kingibe, representing FCT, encouraged stakeholders to think boldly, emphasizing Africa’s participation in tourism’s digital future. She advocated for amplifying local innovations and building cross-border collaborations to prioritize community development, especially for women and youths.