UN Tourism Secretary General, Shaikha Al Nuwais has called on African governments and tourism stakeholders to place people at the centre of the continent’s tourism development agenda, stressing that investment in skills, digital readiness and women’s empowerment will determine the future competitiveness of Africa’s tourism industry.
Speaking at the High-Level Dialogue during the 69th UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) Meeting in Mahé on July 2, Al Nuwais said tourism must evolve into a career of choice for young Africans rather than one of necessity, urging countries to build a workforce capable of meeting the sector’s growing demands.
Addressing ministers, policymakers and industry leaders from across the continent, the Secretary-General described her first visit to Seychelles as “a call to disconnect, or maybe even to reconnect back to earth,” praising the island nation’s commitment to preserving its natural beauty and cultural identity.
She congratulated Seychelles on celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence, noting that the country’s national theme, Our People, Our Identity, Our Destiny, perfectly reflects the central role tourism has played in shaping the nation’s economy, identity and global connections.
According to Al Nuwais, the experience of Seychelles offers valuable lessons for the rest of Africa as destinations seek to expand air connectivity and attract new visitor markets.
She revealed that discussions with President Dr. Patrick Herminie highlighted the importance of developing a skilled workforce to support increased connectivity and tourism growth, particularly as Seychelles expands into emerging markets, including China.
“Connectivity brings opportunity. But people turn opportunity into growth,” she said, emphasizing that sustainable tourism development depends not only on infrastructure but also on investing in human capital.
Youth employment and skills at the forefront
With an estimated 72 million young people unemployed across Africa, Al Nuwais described tourism as one of the continent’s greatest opportunities for job creation.
However, she cautioned that realising this potential will require governments and industry leaders to equip young people with practical skills aligned with market needs while embracing digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
“Our focus is on three priorities: skills that match real jobs, digital and AI readiness, and changing how people see tourism careers,” she told delegates.
She challenged participants to reflect on how many of them began their professional journeys in tourism, noting that the sector has the power to provide meaningful careers, foster personal growth and connect people across cultures.
“Ours must be a sector people choose not out of desperation, but out of aspiration,” she added.
A family photo with the President and Vice President of Seychelles
Empowering women to strengthen communities
The Secretary-General also highlighted the importance of gender inclusion in advancing sustainable tourism across Africa.
She commended First Lady Veronique Herminie for supporting women’s leadership through the Women in Sustainable Tourism Association, describing such initiatives as critical to building resilient communities.
“When women are supported, communities are strengthened. And when young people are skilled, destinations are transformed,” she said.
As part of UN Tourism’s commitment to advancing inclusion, Al Nuwais announced the launch of a Mentorship Programme for African Women, an initiative aimed at strengthening leadership opportunities for women across the tourism sector.
She acknowledged Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism, Nabeela Farida Tunis for helping make the programme possible.
In addition, she announced that the UN Tourism Online Academy would introduce scholarships for African member states, targeting women, young people and rural communities to improve access to tourism education and professional training.
From dialogue to action
Calling for greater investment in people rather than infrastructure alone, Al Nuwais reminded delegates that hospitality is ultimately built by human interaction.
“Buildings do not create hospitality. People do,” she said.
She urged African governments to carry the lessons from Seychelles beyond the islands by investing in classrooms, communities and the next generation of tourism professionals.
“The future of African tourism will not be built by chance. It will be built by choice. By believing in Africa’s people. They are not waiting for the future. They are ready to build it,” she added.
The High-Level Dialogue formed part of the 69th UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa meetings, which brought together tourism ministers and industry leaders from across the continent to discuss strategies for building a more inclusive, resilient and competitive tourism sector.
