Updated 17.04.2014
BACKGROUND
Tourism is considered as an engine of economic growth and development, especially for small and emerging economies. Intrinsically, tourism development has become a critical target for many governments, especially the developing countries. There is a general agreement that tourism is not only one of the most important export sectorsthat boost exchange earnings but also increases employment opportunities, prompt tourism industry growth and in virtue of this stands as a stimulus to the economy as a whole.
Tourism has grown remarkably during the last decades and is expected to continue its growth in the coming years. Despite the economic difficulties and geopolitical challenges international tourist arrivals grew extraordinarily by 5% in 2013, reaching a record of 1.087 million arrivals. During the same year Africa received nearly 5% of global arrivals or 56 million tourists, an increase of 6% over the 2012 level. According to Tourism towards 2030the UNWTO’s recently updated long-term outlook, international tourist arrivals worldwide are expected to reach1.4 billion by 2020 and 1.8 billion by the year 2030 with emerging economy destinations expected to outperform advanced economy destinations. In 2030, international tourist arrivals to the African continent are forecasted to reach 134 million with a respective global market share of 7%. This positive growth is also corroborated by the ICAO’s latest forecasts published in Global Air Transport Outlook to 2030 and Trends to 2040, where world scheduled passenger traffic is more likely expected to grow between 2011 and 2030 at an average annual rate of 4.6 per cent. Further, international and domestic traffic in 2030 are expected to be 2.6 times and 2.3 times that of 2010, respectively.
The economic opportunities of tourism are many and as the tourism sector continues to grow, will increasingly reach millions. By embracing tourism´s growth, such as the dynamic growth of the African region, and utilizing this growth together, countries have the opportunity to enhance the sustainable, resilient and responsible development of tourism and offer viable options for economic growth and development.
This Seminar is organized underthe framework of the 20th session of the General Assembly, held in Livingstone (Zambia) and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) on August of last year, the 2013 edition of the UNWTO &World Travel Market (WTM) Ministers’ Summit entitled “How to bridge the gap between tourism and aviation policies” and in view of the first edition of the UNWTOInternational Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Tourism and Transport Ministerial conference to be held in October 2014 in Seychelles.
Despite the fact that the development of tourism in the African continent has been generally regardedas a positive contribution to economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation, there are still many challenges to be faced up ahead, namely air connectivity, infrastructure, market liberalization, taxation and travel facilitation. Addressing the challenges as one will allow countries in the region to obtain their fair share out of the growing overall opportunities that tourism and aviation are generating.
The Seminar will address critical issues related to bridging air transport and tourism policies, including the current regulatory framework, taxation and the way forward in facilitating all the travel process.UNWTO is committed to improving air connectivity through a closer coordination of tourism and aviation policies to ensure the sustained growth of the tourism sector and that of air transport.
TUESDAYApril 29th
09:00– 10:00Opening Ceremony
Welcome Remarks by Ms Elcia Grandcourt,Programme Director, UNWTO Regional Programme for Africa
Opening Address by Dr. Boubacar Djibo, Director, Air Transport Bureau, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Opening Address by H.E. Mr. Augusto da Silva Tomás, Minister of Transport, Angola
Opening Address by Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO
Opening Address by H.E. Mr. Pedro Mutindi, Minister of Hospitality and Tourism, Angola
Signing of the agreement with Seychelles on UNWTO/ICAO First Joint Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air transport in Africa, 14-15 October 2014
10:00 – 10:30Tea & Coffee Break
SESSION 1
Air Transport and Tourism Policies
Addressing common issues for growth and development
Tourism makes a major contribution to economic growth and development. Likewise, air transport plays a central role in supporting tourism particularly in developing countries, where both sectors represent the crux of any economic development strategy. The session will address recent trends and dynamics that occurred in tourism and transport sectors focusing on new policies that are created to promote and enhance sustainable development in many emerging tourist destinations. Special attention will be given to Yamoussoukro Declaration (1988) which concerns the liberalization of access to air transport markets in Africa shedding light on the importance and implementation of its objectives.
Openness presentation and moderation by Dr. Dirk Glaesser, Director, Sustainable Development of Tourism, UNWTO
10:30 – 12:00
H.E. Mr. Pedro Mutindi, Minister of Hospitality and Tourism, Angola
H.E. Mr. Augusto da Silva Tomás, Minister of Transport, Angola
H.E. Mr. Oumar Gueye, Minister of Tourism and Air Transport, Senegal
Dr. Boubacar Djibo, Director, Air Transport Bureau, International Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO)
Dr. Elijah Chingosho, Secretary-General, African Airlines Association (AFRAA)
Mr. R. Makumbe, Director, Infrastructure and Services, Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)
Mr. Tony Elumelu, Principal Programme Officer and Head of the Division of Free Movement and Migration, Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS)
12:00 – 13:30Lunch
SESSION 2
Opportunities and Challenges facing Air Transport and Tourism Development Infrastructure, Taxes and Levies, Visa Facilitation and Regulation
The development of tourism in Africa is restricted by a number of factors. Amongst the main deterrents faced by transport and tourism are inadequate co-ordination between the sectors and assessment of their combined economic benefits, leading to prospective air transport regulation, limited connectivity with tourism source market, infrastructure limitation and inapt taxation, along with restrictive visa policies. The session will explore the opportunities that arise to promote efficient and reliable air connectivity and to boost regional integration, intra-African cooperation, tourism and economic development. The session will also examine the main changes that touched the air carriers (e.g., consolidations, liberalization, new business models) and the airports (e.g., public-private partnerships, the growing importance of the non-aeronautical revenues).
Moderated by Mr. Chris Lyle, UNWTO Representative to ICAO
13:30 – 15:00H.E. Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ghana
Mr.Heinrich C. Bofinger, Senior Transport Economist, World Bank
Ms Tebello Mokhema, Director of Membership, Communication and Strategy,ACI Africa
Amb. Albert Muchanga, Director of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Arts of Zambia
Mr. Carlos David, Director-General, National Institute of Aviation (INAVIC) Angola
15:00 – 15:30Tea & Coffee Break
SESSION 3
Success Factors and Remaining Obstacles
Current international trend towards market integration and globalization has produced structural change of crucial relevance for tourism sector.New hubs have taken crucial role to promote new destinations reshaping a new international aviation model. The session will shed light on the regulatory and non-regulatory barriers that inhibit both tourism and air transport sectors from reaching their full potential.In this line various stakeholders are invited to discuss solutions to overcome the obstacles discussed during the second session, while addressing the interwoven issues of regulation, competition and quality of service.The session will discuss different innovative models of financing aviation and tourism infrastructure and explore ways to enhance successful routes development, while stressing the political role to address climate change, resource efficiency and management.
Moderated by Mr. Mário Dominguez, Secretary of State of Aviation, Angola
15:30 – 17:00Mr. Chris Lyle, UNWTO Representative to ICAO
Mr. Jon Howell, Tourism Development Manager, Europe & Africa, Routes Africa
Mr. Joaquim Cunha, CEO of TAAG Angola
Mr. Raphael Kuuchi, Vice President Africa, International Air Transport Association (IATA)
17:00 –17:30Closing Session
Closing Remarks by Mr. Márcio Favilla L. de Paula, Executive Director for Operational Programmes and Institutional Relations, UNWTO
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