The need for harmonized travel protocols for the tourism sector has once again come to the fore as African Tourism ministers reiterated their concern about the current protocols regarding travel during their meeting with the Secretary-General of the world tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili in Madrid, Spain.
Reiterating his long-standing message of coordination, partnership, and collaboration as needed ingredients to resuscitate the tourism sector, the UNWTO secretary said, it is through a harmonized partnership and collaboration between countries, international organizations, and governments that the much needed accelerated Tourism recovery can be achieved.
Tunisia’s Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts Mohamed Moez Belhassine was the first to call on the UN Tourism Chief. The minister appraised the Secretary-General of the progress made by Tunisia in getting tourism back on track and added his voice for governments to collaborate in making travel seamless for tourists.
Mr. Pololikashvili was encouraged by Tunisia’s actions to restore confidence in travel and thanked the minister for the visit.
The Minister of Tourism of The Gambia Hamat Bah congratulated the Secretary-General for his reappointment and pledged his support for his administration. The two leaders dived into the way forward for tourism’s recovery in the Africa region.
The Secretary-General assured him of UNWTO’s support and said “Harmonisation of health protocols and investments lay the foundations of our joint actions to RestartTourism.”
The Minister of Culture and Tourism of Mozambique Eldevina Materula took turns in the bilateral meeting with the Secretary-General to outline the progress made to restart tourism through innovation, education and investments. The Minister was optimistic of a great recovery and urged Africa to see the pandemic as an opportunity to build a robust and resilient tourism sector for the region.
The Secretary-General in receiving the Minister of Tourism of The Democratic Republic of Congo Modero Nsimba extolled the country’s traditions and exceptional biodiversity, as a must-visit destination in Africa.
Mr. Pololikashvili assured the visiting ministers of UNWTO’s commitment to set up common projects to relaunch tourism.
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