International gathering of tourism and aviation leaders advocates for increased collaboration to stimulate economic expansion across Africa
In a landmark conference held in Luanda, Angola, over 300 international delegates gathered to discuss the future of tourism and air transport in Africa. The event, jointly organized by UN Tourism, ICAO, and the Government of Angola, focused on strengthening the alignment between these two rapidly growing sectors.
The Luanda Ministerial Statement, formally adopted at the conference, commits African governments and stakeholders to developing a seamless, sustainable, and integrated travel ecosystem. This integrated approach is designed to create resilient and inclusive growth within Africa’s tourism and air transport sectors, fostering meaningful opportunities and shared prosperity.
Angola's Minister of Transport, H.E Mr. Ricardo de Abreu, emphasized the importance of infrastructure and regulatory reform for modern and efficient, accessible, and responsive air transport systems. His counterpart, H.E Daniel Marcio, Minister of Tourism, stated that tourism is a key pillar of Angola's national strategy for inclusive development, job creation, and cultural promotion.
The Statement calls for modernization of tourism and aviation infrastructure with support from public and private investment. Visa policy reforms are to be implemented through simplified and more affordable visa regimes, fast-track procedures, and longer-validity multi-entry visas. These measures aim to unlock Africa’s travel and tourism potential by aligning policies, boosting connectivity, leveraging digital innovation, and fostering inclusive economic growth across the continent.
Partnerships with key institutions such as ICAO, UN Tourism, IATA, AFRAA, AFCAC, and others are to be advanced. ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano commended the conference’s collaborative spirit and emphasized the importance of tourism and aviation growing hand in hand. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili urged decisive policy action to remove barriers holding African tourism back.
The conference also highlighted the need to empower youth and women through skills training, entrepreneurship support, and educational initiatives focused on the tourism and aviation sectors. The use of digital technologies and AI was emphasized to improve service delivery and connectivity.
The Statement aligns with continental frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) to harmonize regulations and enhance regional mobility. Intra-African tourism is to be promoted through joint destination marketing and greater collaboration with the private sector.
The strong recovery and renewed global interest in African destinations were signaled by the record 74 million international arrivals in 2024, a 7% increase over 2019 and 12% more than in 2023. The Luanda Ministerial Statement affirms Africa's commitment to this promising trajectory, setting a course for a more connected, prosperous, and sustainable future for its tourism and air transport sectors.
- The Luanda Ministerial Statement promotes the development of a travel ecosystem in Africa, aiming for resilient and inclusive growth in tourism and air transport sectors.
- Angola's Minister of Transport highlighted infrastructure and regulatory reform as crucial for efficient air transport systems, while their Minister of Tourism emphasized tourism's key role in the national strategy for development, job creation, and cultural promotion.
- The Statement encourages modernization of tourism and aviation infrastructure, funded by public and private investment, and demands visa policy reforms for easier, affordable, and extended travel.
- The conference recommends partnerships with organizations like ICAO, IATA, AFRAA, AFCAC, and UN Tourism to bolster tourism and aviation growth in Africa.
- Empowering youth and women through skills training, entrepreneurship, and education focused on the tourism and aviation sectors is a priority, as well as employing digital technologies and AI to improve service delivery and connectivity.
- The Statement supports continental frameworks like AfCFTA and SAATM to harmonize regulations, enhance regional mobility, and promote intra-African tourism through joint destination marketing and collaboration with the private sector, reflecting the promising rise in international arrivals in African destinations.
