Photo: Zambia’s Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba at last year’s event in Punta Cana
Tourism leaders from Africa and the Americas will gather in Livingstone, Zambia, from April 8 to 10, 2025, for the 2nd UN Tourism Africa & Americas Summit. Co-organised by UN Tourism and Zambia’s Ministry of Tourism, this high-level event will convene ministers, senior officials, and industry leaders to advance investment, air connectivity, and sustainable tourism development across both continents.
This year’s summit builds on the outcomes of the inaugural edition in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where leaders committed to fostering South-South cooperation through the Punta Cana Declaration. The Declaration underscored the role of tourism as a driver of inclusive growth, emphasizing strategic investments, education, innovation, and the creative industries.
With a focus on resilience-building, investment attraction, and skills advancement, the summit will facilitate knowledge exchange on crisis management and connectivity. Sessions will explore best practices in mitigating risks while strengthening the tourism sector’s ability to navigate global challenges. Discussions will also address enhancing visa facilitation policies to promote seamless travel between the regions.
The 1st UN Tourism Africa & Americas Summit in Punta Cana brought together 200 high-level participants, including 14 ministers representing 27 countries. The event laid the groundwork for deeper engagement between the two regions, with the Punta Cana Declaration emphasizing the importance of joint initiatives in education and investment. The Livingstone Summit will build on these foundations, translating shared aspirations into tangible progress.
Among the key sessions planned is a panel discussion on empowering youth through innovation and pioneering investment opportunities. With global tourism increasingly shaped by digital transformation and entrepreneurship, the emphasis on youth engagement signals a forward-looking approach to sector development.
One of the central themes of the summit will be bolstering air connectivity between Africa and the Americas. Currently, limited direct routes pose a challenge to increasing visitor flows, hindering the potential for tourism expansion. Industry leaders will examine viable solutions, including partnerships with airlines and regulatory adjustments to facilitate movement.
Aviation and infrastructure investments remain pivotal to regional integration. The decision to hold the summit in Livingstone, a destination known for its strategic tourism significance, highlights Zambia’s commitment to fostering cross-continental partnerships. The host country has taken proactive steps to enhance its tourism offerings, positioning itself as a gateway between Africa and the global market.
With key stakeholders aligning on a shared vision, the Livingstone Summit is set to be a defining moment for tourism cooperation between Africa and the Americas. The outcomes will influence policy direction, investment flows, and sectoral strategies with a focus not just on challenges but on actionable solutions that will propel the sector forward in the years ahead.
