UN, Spain agree to support better tourism policies in Africa

As part of efforts to promote tourism development in Africa, the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has signed an agreement with Casa Africa, a Spanish government agency, to support better policies to sustain the sector on the continent.

According to the UNWTO, the pact was signed October 4, 2012 in the Spanish capital, Madrid.

“This agreement will allow UNWTO and Casa Africa to reinforce Africa’s capacity to employ tourism as an effective instrument of socio-economic development and poverty reduction,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, who signed the agreement alongside Casa Africa Director-General, Santiago Martínez-Caro.

“Activities will be undertaken to support better tourism policies in Africa, as well as to create employment opportunities through increased investment in, and marketing of, African destinations,” he added.

In a statement, the UNWTO says the agreement formalizes the already on-going collaboration between the two organizations, which stretches back to 2010 with the creation of the Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa (INVESTOUR), an event that aims to increase the visibility of Africa as a tourism destination and mobilize investment for sustainable tourism projects in the region.

“There are huge business opportunities in the Africa tourism sector,” said Casa Africa’s Martínez-Caro.

“This initiative allows Spanish businesses to sit down with their African counterparts and invest in viable tourism projects in Africa,” he added.

By Ekow Quandzie