African Development Bank, African Union, Global Partnerships Forum, and United Nations World Tourism Organization Participate in High-Level Event at New York University.
NEW YORK – African foreign affairs and tourism ministers gathered on September 27 at the Africa Travel Association’s seventh annual Presidential Forum on Tourism at New York University. The Gambian, Namibian, Tanzanian, Zambian, and Zimbabwean ministers joined senior representatives from the Africa Development Bank, African Union, Global Partnerships Forum, and UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to speak about the benefits of tourism in relation to the economy, environment and people.
“We are grateful that distinguished government and private sector leaders took the time to highlight the role tourism plays in promoting economic growth across Africa and to explore how public-private partnerships can make a difference in the industry,” said Edward Bergman, ATA Executive Director. He said, “The Forum is built on the commitment to establish collaborative global networks to raise the profile of tourism on national agendas. Tourism cannot be addressed solely from a national or a regional perspective; it needs to be addressed across sectors and across borders.”
For the seventh year in a row, ATA, in partnership with co-host and sponsor, NYU-Africa House, organized the high-level forum as world leaders gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly meetings. Dr. Yaw Nyarko, New York University’s Africa House Director, moderated the interactive discussion.
The Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) and Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) co-sponsored the event with TTB Managing Director Aloyce Nzuki presenting the annual tourism awards. The Africa Adventure Company received the Tour Operator Product Development Award. In addition, Global Football, together with CBS-TV Sport, received the Television Broadcast Award. South African Airways (SAA) also served as an event partner.
From left, front row: Aloyce Nzuki (Tanzania Tourism Board), Professor Yaw Nyarko (NYU-Africa House) Ambassador Mwanaidi Sinare Maajar (Tanzanian Embassy in the USA), Ambassador Ombeni Sefue (Tanzania), Francesca Chisangano Zyambo (Zambia), Minister Fatou Mas Jobe-Njie (The Gambia); From left, back row: Karen Hoffman (The Bradford Group), Minister Mussa Hassan Mussa (Zanzibar), Sarbuland Khan (UNWTO), Professor Mthuli Ncube (African Development Bank), Robert Brunner (Arik Air), Minister Walter Mzembi (Zimbabwe), Minster Sylvia Masebo (Zambia), Gregg Truman (South African Airways), Felix Chaila (Zambia Tourism Board), Karikoga Kaseke (Zimbabwe Tourism Authority), Edward Bergman (Africa Travel Association).
In his opening remarks as ATA President, Zimbabwe’s Tourism and Hospitality Minister Walter Mzembi said, “Africa needs to do a lot more to leverage its endowments in order to achieve economic development, eradicate poverty, and receive its fair share of the world tourism economy.” He continued, “A focused ATA in partnership with the African Union, and in affiliation with the UNWTO, will play its part in ensuring that Africa benefits more from this increasingly important sector.”
The Zimbabwe Minister also spoke about tourism’s contribution to peace and stability. “Tourism is a form of “people-to-people” diplomacy, in which tourism enables political engagement, even when states are unengaged.” He explained that this approach has enabled Zimbabwe to continue relations with other nations, noting, “Tourism not only leaves a window or a door open, but it opens a whole corridor for engagement when political diplomacy fails us.”
As co-hosts of the upcoming United Nations World Tourism Organization General Assembly meeting, to be held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Livingstone, Zambia in August 2013, the Zambia Tourism Board and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority co-sponsored the forum.
“The two countries are committed to the uniquely African UNWTO General Assembly in 2013, which will not only leave a long-term legacy for our two countries, but the entire southern African region and Africa in general,” said Zambia’s Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo. She also highlighted how the two countries are preparing for the international event, particularly in the areas of marketing, infrastructure, security, and private sector engagement.
Namibia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Utoni Nujoma, spoke about tourism’s contribution to national economic growth. “It is one of the country’s fastest growing sectors, contributing 16 percent to GDP and accounting for 18 percent of employment.” He added that the sector is expected to grow by 7 percent in the next decade.
Tanzania’s Chief Secretary, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, echoed the Namibian Minister’s remarks, saying that tourism is also one of Tanzania’s fastest growing economic sectors. He also shared that the U.S. represents the largest single tourism market for Tanzania.
Former ATA President and The Gambia’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, Fatou Mas Jobe Njie, spoke about the need for nations to work together to brand destinations. She said The Gambia hopes to market West Africa with neighboring Senegal, noting, “We need resources to change perceptions.” She called on the African Development Bank, and other multilateral institutions, to provide support to African nations to pursue joint marketing initiatives.
The African Development Bank’s Vice President, Professor Mthuli Ncube, agreed on the need to allocate resources to tourism development, emphasizing that the time for Africa’s growth is now. “Africa is on the cusp of sustainable growth and tourism is an integral part of this.”
Global Partnerships Forum Chair, Amir Dossal, spoke about the importance of engaging the private sector in tourism growth. He suggested appointing Africa Tourism Ambassadors, bringing together companies to discuss tourism investment possibilities, and turning to Hollywood for examples on how to build marketing campaigns for Africa that spotlight opportunity rather than humanitarian crises.
Other topics of discussion included creating one visa for Africa, the pros and cons of international travel expos, intra-Africa travel and mobilizing the Africa Diaspora. Audience questions focused on volunteer, learning and exchange opportunities for students.
Additional program participants included H.E. Amina Ali, African Union Ambassador to the USA, H.E. Segbe Cyrille Oguin, Benin Ambassador to the USA, and Sarbuland Khan, UNWTO Senior Counselor. Audience members included industry and diplomatic community representatives, alongside students, faculty and the media.
For the second year, ATA’s Young Professionals Program organized a roundtable discussion for young professionals and students. Organized in cooperation with NYU’s African Student Union, the panel focused on how to leverage media to promote African destinations. Participants included Jose Barreiro (Travel Channel), Ross Borden (Matador Network), Nosarieme Garrick (My Africa Is), Rumbidzai Mudzengerere (Zimbabwe Tourism Authority), Alef Tadesse (Spark Communications Worldwide) and Roni Weiss (RW Social). Sponsors included Air Promotion Group USA, Djoniba Dance Centre and Travel Channel.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
