Preparations are under way as Kenya readies itself to host the first ordinary session of the African Union (AU) Ministerial Sub-Committee on Tourism on October 2.
The conference will look at ways to address key challenges in Africa’s tourism sector, with a view of developing relevant tourism strategies that are aligned with the AU Agenda 2063.
According to Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Najib Balala, the event, which is organised by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the Kenyan government, will see tourism ministers from across the continent collectively strategise how to diversify Africa’s tourism product.
Kenya, Chair of UNWTO Commission for Africa, looks to profile tourism as a major component of economies in Africa.
Balala said on Thursday (September 27): “Furthermore, we want to promote Brand Africa, cultivate positive publicity for the African continent and intensify greater international visibility of Africa – as a safe and sustainable tourism destination of choice – and to foster continuous improvement towards more sustainable tourism product development in Africa,” reports Journal du Cameroun.
He added that, from October 2- 4, Kenya would host the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), which would show the high-growth destinations across Africa, all of which are geared to enable the continent to grow its market share of international tourism via tourism and hospitality investments.
AHIF is expected to attract over 500 delegates and 30 exhibitors, bringing together investors, developers, operators and owners within Africa’s tourism industry, as well as possible financiers and intermediaries, including architects, policymakers in government and transaction advisers, reports Journal du Cameroun.
