The Head of the Africa Department of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Elcia Grandcourt has called on the continent’s tourism fraternity to maximize opportunities for women in industry.
She believes women are equally suited to take up more challenging roles in tourism; therefore, there is a need for them to be given opportunities and granted access to resources and help.
“Women need to be fully integrated in the decision-making processes of tourism policies, strategies and greater opportunities to be given for a better access to financial resources, entrepreneurship, capacity-building and mentorship programmes” Elcia said in a message to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD2023) which is on March 8.
Full Text of Message
Dear partners and friends,
It is with great joy and excitement that I would like to congratulate all of us, women and men for the work and strong engagement achieved so far to enable the voices of women to be heard and to participate in the development processes for social equity.
As we navigate through social- economic recovery post pandemic, it will be essential to support, educate, assist and create a fair and an enabling environment for women in Africa to thrive and play a key role in the sustainable development of the tourism sector and beyond.
Women need to be fully integrated in the decision-making processes of tourism policies, strategies and greater opportunities to be given for a better access to financial resources, entrepreneurship, capacity-building and mentorship programmes.
The dialogue with women and men must be strengthened and encouraged in all spheres of the society in the continent to achieve the goals of the Africa we want for every young girl and woman, of all ages.
I wish you all a happy celebration of the International Women’s day 2023.
