Tourism leaders from both Africa and the Americas met in Punta Cana last week and committed to continue working together to make the sector a pillar of collective sustainable and inclusive development across both continents. Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez and Tourism Minister David Collado welcomed the delegates from Africa and the Americas.
The “Punta Cana Declaration” was adopted at the conclusion of the very first joint meeting of UN Tourism’s Regional Commissions for Africa and the Americas and followed two days of shared dialogue around the key themes of education and investments into the sector. Recognizing the historic ties between the two regions, as well their unique and complementary cultures, the Summit served as a landmark platform for strengthened cooperation, capitalizing on innovation, education, investments and creative industries for the future development of tourism.
The event was held at the Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort, and was organized by UN Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic. Members of the UN Commissions for Africa and the Americas participated in the “First UN Tourism Africa & Americas Summit” held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic from 2 to 5 of October 2024.
The secretary general of the World Tourism Organization, a UN agency, Zurab Pololikashvili spoke during the event. Also in Punta Cana was Louis Steven Obeegadoo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister, Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism of Mauritius. Obeegadoo presides the Africa Regional Tourism Commission.
The event was held to foster the partnership between Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa in the tourism sector to build on the vast creative industries, deep-rooted traditions and cultures of both continents.
Dominican Tourism Minister David Collado, host of the event, said the gathering is another demonstration of the global leadership of the Dominican Republic in the tourism sector.
The work of the summit kicked off on Thursday, 3 October 2024 with the High-Level Ministerial Dialogue “Building Opportunities between Africa and the Americas,” with the participation of Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez and Tourism Minister David Collado.
The debate and the bilateral meetings are aimed at achieving greater cooperation in the sector, according to the organizers.
In addition to the adoption of the Punta Cana Declaration and the presentation of the paper, the program also included the presentation of the paper, “Bridging Continents: Boosting Linkages between Africa and the Americas,” by Peter Cerda, regional vice president of the International Air Transport Association.
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First UN Africa and Americas Summit
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Sunday Mail
8 October 2024