Tourexpi
The
“Punta Cana Declaration” was adopted at the conclusion of the very first joint
meeting of UN Tourism’s Regional Commissions for Africa and the Americas and
followed two days of shared dialogue around the key themes of education and
investments into the sector. Recognizing the historic ties between the two
regions, as well their unique and complementary cultures, the Summit served as
a landmark platform for strengthened cooperation, capitalizing on innovation,
education, investments and creative industries for the future development of
tourism.
Welcoming
around 200 high-level participants among them 14 Ministers, representing 27
countries (15 from the Americas and 12 from Africa), UN Tourism
Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: "This summit offers a unique
platform to forge connections and build bridges between Africa and the
Americas, create strategic cross-regional partnerships, foster South-South
cooperation projects, all for the benefit of the tourism sector of the two
regions."
Joining
the UN Tourism leadership in welcoming delegates and encouraging the building
of bridges between the two regions were David Collado, Minister of Tourism,
Ministry of Tourism, Dominican Republic, Chair of the Regional Commission for
the Americas, and Auxillia Mnangagwa, Patron for Tourism in Zimbabwe, the First
Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
UN
Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona said: "Africa and the Americas
are endowed with rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and profound
historical connections. Yet, we recognize that due to multiple challenges—such
as limited connectivity, regulatory and administrative barriers, and a lack of
mutual market awareness—our cross-tourism relationship is not as strong as it
could and should be.
Our
goal today is to address these challenges head-on, fostering collaboration that
will drive economic development, promote cultural exchange, and encourage
sustainable practices benefiting all our communities."
The
Punta Cana Declaration
As
a clear signal of South-South cooperation, the Punta Cana Declaration set out a
set of shared commitments for the development of tourism as a driver of
inclusive development. Through the Declaration, tourism leaders from both
regions recognize the important need to "intensify joint efforts to
promote sustainable development" through tourism, with a firm focus on
"strategic investments, education, innovation and the creative
industries".. Embodying the spirit of the landmark Punta Cana Summit, the
Declaration also emphasizes the importance of tourism as a tool for the
preservation of shared and unique culture and heritage.
The
signatories of the Declaration signalled their intention to "redouble
their efforts", most notably in the following areas:
·
Strategic investments: To
strengthen public-private partnerships, stimulate investments into the sector,
and prioritize investments through effective policymaking. Also, to boost
connectivity between the two regions, both in terms of improved air links as
well as strengthened cultural exchange.
·
Skills development and training: To
prioritize investment in tourism education and training, to expand access to
online and offline learning and to promote the use of innovation and new
digital skills to enhance the knowledge of the tourism workforce.
·
Innovation: To support
competitions for start-up enterprises and entrepreneurs in both regions, , to
better support MSMEs, including in rural communities, and to promote innovative
solutions focused on sustainability and climate action.
·
Creative industries: To promote
the role of the cultural and creative industries in the tourism sector,
including through funding for projects with the potential to attract tourists
and grow new and diverse destinations and cultural routes, and to ensure the
benefits the sector delivers are focused on social and inclusive development.
·
Inter-regional cooperation: To
support market analysis and other research to identify potential areas of
shared growth and opportunity, to develop shared strategies for tourism
development, including through digital media, new products and international
tourism trade fairs.
Investments
and Education: "Building a better tomorrow, today"
In
line with UN Tourism's wider focus on investments in tourism, the Summit
brought together public and private sector leaders, alongside key
representatives of financial institutions to assess the current landscape and
trends and outlook for Africa and the Americas.
The
high-level speakers noted the huge potential for joint investment initiatives
between the two regions, emphasizing the growing role of public and private
banks. The Summit also focused on the vital importance of investments for
driving the green transition of tourism in both Africa and the Americas, most
notably in infrastructure and in the hotel sector.
Alongside
innovation, the Summit also placed the spotlight on education and training,
noting the urgent need for skilled workers in both regions. With the focus on
"Young Talents Leading the Transformation, tourism leaders recognized the
need for joint capacity-building initiatives, curriculum development, and
partnerships between academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and
governmental bodies.
Image
Credit: © UN Tourism
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