President Bola Tinubu has called on African countries to adopt policies that promote eco-friendly tourism and preserve cultural heritage across the continent.
Specifically, he sought practical solutions and alliances that would boost investment in tourism infrastructure, deepen the sector’s role in actualising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the African continent.
The President stated this on Wednesday when he declared open the 68th meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF) in Abuja.
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima said the target is to make sure Africa becomes the heart of global discourse in terms of how to harness tourism’s full potential to boost the continent’s economy.
He said: “By collaborating with regional bodies, such as the African Union, ECOWAS and UN Tourism, Nigeria encourages other African nations to adopt policies promoting eco-friendly tourism and preserving cultural heritage.
“This collaboration includes sharing best practices, tourism training, developing joint marketing campaigns for sustainable tourism and improving infrastructure to support intra-African travel.
“Through these regional initiatives, Africa can foster a continent-wide movement toward tourism that benefits both the people and the environment, driving long-term prosperity for Africa.”
Highlighting the role of Nigeria’s creative industries in global tourism, which encompass music, film, fashion, literature and digital arts, Tinubu said the sector has “emerged as a powerful driver of economic growth, making significant contributions to the country’s GDP, job creation and economic diversification.”
He continued: “Nigeria’s Nollywood is one of the largest film industries in the world, generating substantial revenue from domestic and international markets.
“Similarly, the music and fashion industries have propelled Nigeria’s global cultural influence and generated income and employment opportunities,” he further stated.
“As we chart a new course for tourism in Africa, one thing is clear: the government cannot build the sector alone. It needs a partnership with the private sector. The sector’s growing complexity and opportunities demand this strategic partnership.”
Earlier, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa urged African nations to leverage innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and creative industries to unlock the continent’s vast potential in global tourism.
She stated: “I am passionate about Nigeria and the mission and commitment of President Tinubu. I believe in it because of his vision for Nigeria, which I believe will enable the country to take a seat in the comity of global nations as a developed nation. I pray the same for every African nation, and urge us all to rise together.”
On his part, the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Amb. Zurab Pololikashvi commended the Tinubu administration for supporting the transformation of the tourism industry in Nigeria, which, according to him, would impact the rest of Africa.