UN Tourism/ICAO Ministerial Summit Calls for Enhanced Cooperation to Unlock Africa’s Growth

The second United Nations Tourism and ICAO Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa concluded with a collective appeal to strengthen partnerships and collaboration to facilitate the region’s growth.

Jointly organised by ICAO, UN Tourism, and the Government of Angola, this high-level event attracted over 300 international delegates under the theme “Accelerating Synergies for Resilient and Sustainable Growth.” The three-day conference concentrated on enhancing the alignment between two of Africa’s rapidly expanding sectors: tourism and air transport. Both sectors are vital enablers for job creation, innovation, and increased regional mobility.

ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano commended the initiative’s collaborative spirit: “Tourism and aviation must grow hand in hand. Through shared vision and policy coherence, we can drive sustainable development and prosperity, enhance safety and security, and ensure no country is left behind.”

H.E. Daniel Marcio, Angola’s Minister of Tourism, said, “Angola is proud to host such a landmark event, which positions Angola as a regional hub for dialogue and action. Tourism is a key pillar of our national strategy for inclusive development, job creation, and cultural promotion.”

In his intervention, H.E. Ricardo de Abreu, Angola’s Minister of Transport, emphasised the importance of infrastructure and regulatory reform: “We must build air transport systems that are not only modern and efficient but also accessible and responsive to the needs of our people. Connectivity within Africa is essential to realising the continent’s economic potential.”

In his opening remarks, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism and air transport are not just engines of growth, they are pathways to empowerment, opportunity, and transformation, through strategic leadership and innovation, Africa’s potential can become its reality.” He urged decisive policy action to remove the barriers holding African tourism back.

The Luanda Conference highlighted the critical need to advance Africa's tourism and air transport sectors by improving connectivity, instituting regulatory reforms, and promoting cross-sector collaboration. Delegates agreed that harmonising aviation and tourism policies is essential for unlocking the continent's potential, especially through open skies agreements, integrated infrastructure planning, and public-private investment. Key areas of focus also included streamlining visa processes, promoting joint destination marketing, and removing travel barriers to enhance intra-African tourism.

The conference commenced with an expert-led workshop that included technical sessions focused on innovation, connectivity, investment, and regional integration. Participants examined the potential of technologies such as AI and digital platforms to enhance service delivery and identified novel funding models for infrastructure expansion. Comprehensive discussions explored how frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) can facilitate harmonised policies and enhance regional mobility.

During two days of ministerial sessions, senior officials concentrated on harmonising policy frameworks, fostering innovation for inclusive growth, ensuring equitable access to travel, and constructing resilient transport and tourism systems. The Conference concluded with the formal adoption of the Luanda Ministerial Statement, affirming Africa's unified commitment to developing a seamless, sustainable, and integrated travel ecosystem.

Ministers, leaders of delegations and delegates present pledged to:

• Modernise tourism and aviation infrastructure with support from both public and private investment.

• Deepen partnerships with key institutions, including ICAO, UN Tourism, IATA, AFRAA, AFCAC, and others.

• Advance mobility reforms through simplified and more affordable visa regimes, fast-track procedures, and longer-validity multi-entry visas.

• Promote intra-African travel and tourism, as complementary tools to the strategy of liberalisation of market access, enhancing air connectivity, supporting tourist destinations and encouraging collaboration with the private sectors.

• Empower youth and women through skills training, entrepreneurship support, and educational initiatives focused on the tourism and aviation sectors.

The second conference occurred during a period of unprecedented growth for African tourism and air transport. In 2024, the continent received 74 million international tourist arrivals, marking a 7% increase compared to 2019 and a 12% rise over 2023. Additionally, passenger air traffic, as measured in Revenue Passenger-Kilometres, increased by 36.6% since 2023, significantly surpassing the global average. These statistics indicate a robust recovery and a renewed global interest in African destinations, as well as the expansion of air transport.