Africa-Press – Angola. African Ministers of Tourism and Air Transport on Thursday in Luanda pledged to harmonize civil aviation and tourism policies, promoting inclusive regional growth and development in Africa.
This commitment, which also includes strengthening institutions, increasing investment in sustainable infrastructure, and ensuring digital transformation, is expressed in the Luanda Ministerial Declaration, resulting from the 2nd Ministerial Conference of UN Tourism and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in the Angolan capital city.
In addition, the conference participants also committed to promoting national and regional strategies approved for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the United Nations Tourism Agenda for Africa – Tourism for Inclusive Growth.
The participants also decided to support climate solutions and highlight the value of regional training centers and data-sharing platforms for operational excellence.
Intra-African Connectivity
Conference participants emphasized the need to facilitate intra-African travel and strengthen the conditions for peace and understanding between peoples through simplified and multiple-entry visa regimes with longer validity, as well as reduced fees and accelerated procedures.
They agreed to encourage cooperation between tourism, transport, immigration and security authorities to improve connectivity and mobility.
At the conference, African government officials expressed interest in supporting actions that promote intra-African tourism, including incentive packages and closer engagement with the private sector to generate real impact.
African Ministers of Tourism and Air Transport also adopted the decision to stimulate public and private investment to modernize air transport and tourism infrastructure, promote innovation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and improve service delivery.
They pledged to promote a positive image of Africa by supporting UN Tourism and ICAO initiatives, contributing to the continent’s positive narratives, and strengthening initiatives that elevate the cradle continent as a unified and attractive destination.
The Luanda Ministerial Declaration on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa also expresses a commitment to strengthening institutional collaboration with UN Tourism and other relevant institutions. The leaders reaffirmed a united vision for a resilient, integrated, and prosperous Africa, built on air transport and sustainable tourism as engines of growth and unity.
Finally, the more than 500 delegates and 20 African ministerial departments who gathered in Luanda praised the Angolan government and people for the warm hospitality and excellent organization of the event.
For three days, participants in the event, which brought together experts and operators from the tourism and air transport sectors, discussed topics related to the challenges and solutions for inter-African tourism.
The main objective of the project was to identify integrated solutions that facilitate the development of these two critical components for the African economy, within the framework of the Open Sky initiative.
The event also served to outline a shared vision for building a resilient and sustainable tourism and air transport system in Africa.
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