The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has launched its National Tourism Policy.
The policy document was unveiled by President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi who chaired the opening of the International Tourism Fair in the capital, Kinshasa.
“Investment and the promotion of tourism in the DRC” is the theme chosen for this show.
The policy was a collaboration between the DRC’s Ministry of Tourism and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) where the latter offered its expertise to develop it to boost tourism development of the country.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Tourism Dr. Yves Bunkulu said the ministry has led efforts to ensure that the vision of the president in making tourism one of the pillars of development is realized.
He added that the National Tourism Policy for the development of tourism in DRC has an ambitious goal of making the country one of the 10 best destinations in Africa by 2030.
The Deputy Director of the Africa Department at UNWTO Jaime Mayaki said
“I am convinced that the National Tourism Policy presented here today which is the result of a consulting process between public and private tourism stakeholders, will help the Government reach its objective of becoming a major tourism player by 2030 and rely on its tourism sector as a key tool of economic transformation and job creation for the youth.”
“The most important part is now its implementation” he added.
UNWTO international expert in tourism planning and investment Toufik Souli was also at the launch to present the content of the Tourism Policy to the provincial tourism ministers and other key tourism stakeholders.
The presence of the Head of State the day before at the opening ceremony sends an important message:
“It gives a clear signal of the role of the tourism sector in the inclusive and sustainable growth of your country.”
DRC also became the first African Member State to join the UNWTO Silk Road initiative.
