NEPAD Work on Sustainable Tourism

MEETING OF THE MINISTERIAL WORKING GROUP ON THE TOURISM SECTOR DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR AFRICA: AU AGENDA 2063

SEYCHELLES, 13-14 MARCH 2014

by Mrs. Estherine Fotabong, Director of Programme Implementation and Coordination, NEPAD Agency

Summary of Presentation

1. Tourism and Africa’s Development2. AU-NEPAD Tourism Action Plan (TAP)3. Goals and Objectives of TAP4. TAP Focus Areas5. Progress of TAP Implementation6. Tourism and Agenda 20637. Review of TAP8. Conclusion

Tourism and Africa’s Development• Africa is endowed with huge environmental assets,

natural resources and cultural heritage• Natural resources contributed greatly to the continents

economic growth for the past decade, with an average growth of 5.2% annually

• Contribution was higher than the global average of 4.2% in the past decade

• Tourism contributes to the economic growth of the continent (diversification and foreign exchange earnings)

• About US$43.6 Billion international tourism receipts in 2012 in Africa

AU-NEPAD Tourism Action Plan (TAP)• AU recognized the contribution of

tourism in the continent. Thus, strategic interventions in tourism was necessary to catalyze growth in other areas of the economy (agriculture, horticulture and the service sector)

• AU-NEPAD Tourism Action Plan (TAP) was developed under the guidance of the African Ministers of Tourism, who meet annually under the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) Commission for Africa (CAF)

• TAP was adopted at the 3rd General Assembly of the African Union (AU) in July 2004 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

• AU recognized the contribution of tourism in the continent. Thus, strategic interventions in tourism was necessary to catalyze growth in other areas of the economy (agriculture, horticulture and the service sector)

• AU-NEPAD Tourism Action Plan (TAP) was developed under the guidance of the African Ministers of Tourism, who meet annually under the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) Commission for Africa (CAF)

• TAP was adopted at the 3rd General Assembly of the African Union (AU) in July 2004 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background:

Goals and Objectives of TAP;

Goal: To contribute to the socio-economic development of the continent, particularly through the diversification of African economies and generation of foreign exchange earnings

Key Objectives of the TAP

TAP

• Policies and regulatory environment;

• Institutional capacity;• Tourism marketing; • Research and development;• Investment in tourism

infrastructure and products, and • Human resources and quality

assurance.

• Policies and regulatory environment;

• Institutional capacity;• Tourism marketing; • Research and development;• Investment in tourism

infrastructure and products, and • Human resources and quality

assurance.

FocusAreas

TAP Implementation• Contributed to growing international

tourist arrivals in Africa• Contributed to the “Future We Want”

Rio+ 20 Decision on Sustainable Tourism• Development and adoption of the TAP at

the highest political level • Establishment and inaugural meeting of

the Tourism Ministerial Committee for TAP

• Development of Draft Guidelines for Tourism Investment Promotion in SADC

• South Africa Tourism Ndaba (Consultative Forum)

• Contributed to growing international tourist arrivals in Africa

• Contributed to the “Future We Want” Rio+ 20 Decision on Sustainable Tourism

• Development and adoption of the TAP at the highest political level

• Establishment and inaugural meeting of the Tourism Ministerial Committee for TAP

• Development of Draft Guidelines for Tourism Investment Promotion in SADC

• South Africa Tourism Ndaba (Consultative Forum)

Key Achievements

TAP Implementation• The NEPAD Cities Programme:

- Seven Cities (Bamako, Douala, Durban, Lagos, Lusaka, Nairobi and Rabat)

- Has strong rural linkages and a symbiotic relationship with its hinterland and beyond

- Contributes to regional integration and creation of a critical mass for profitable investment (exports diversification and infrastructure improvements)

• The NEPAD Cities Programme:

- Seven Cities (Bamako, Douala, Durban, Lagos, Lusaka, Nairobi and Rabat)

- Has strong rural linkages and a symbiotic relationship with its hinterland and beyond

- Contributes to regional integration and creation of a critical mass for profitable investment (exports diversification and infrastructure improvements)

Key Achievements

Challenges• EnvironmentalClimate ChangeNatural Disasters• SecurityConflictsTerrorism• GovernanceUnclear policies, rules & regulationsCorruptionInadequate InfrastructureHuman Resource Capacity

Tourism and Agenda 2063

Agenda 2063: “A Prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development”

• Inclusive growth must create jobs (70% the continent’s

population is below 25, which is 37% of labour force)• That is about 60% of total unemployment in Africa• How do we build on the achievements from TAP

implementation and other initiatives towards Agenda 2063?

Review of TAP

• Review of TAP for its revitalization, 10 years after inception

• Convene an expert meeting to validate review report• Develop an updated Tourism Action Plan for Africa (to

support the objectives of Agenda 2063)• Identify centres of excellence for knowledge sharing

and exchange (youths visits)• Conduct capacity development training

Conclusion

There is need to:• strengthen the Africa platform for sharing experiences •Identify potentials for job creation through touristic activities- Value Chain; Green Jobs•Document good experiences and best practices for peer learning•Better coordinate and monitor tourism developments in the continent•Adopt a code of Conduct &Ethics for tourism

Thank you