Africa, Americas Forge Historic Tourism Alliance with "Punta Cana Declaration"

Tourism leaders from Africa and the Americas have united in a landmark agreement to promote sustainable and inclusive development in their regions.

At the first-ever joint summit of UN Tourism’s Regional Commissions for Africa and the Americas, held in Punta Cana, the “Punta Cana Declaration” was adopted after two days of discussions on education, investment, and tourism development. This event has opened the door to deeper cross-continental cooperation, focusing on innovation, education, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

The summit, attended by over 200 high-level participants including 14 ministers from 27 countries, was hailed as a significant step forward in building strategic partnerships between Africa and the Americas. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili highlighted the importance of fostering South-South cooperation to strengthen tourism across both regions. The summit's key objective was to bridge historical ties and capitalize on shared opportunities in the tourism sector.

Key figures at the summit included David Collado, Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism and Chair of the Regional Commission for the Americas, and Zimbabwe’s First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, who emphasized the cultural and historical bonds between the two regions. UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona called attention to the mutual challenges that Africa and the Americas face in tourism, such as limited connectivity and regulatory barriers, and stressed the importance of collaboration to drive sustainable economic growth.

The Punta Cana Declaration sets out clear goals for tourism as a driver of inclusive development. It emphasizes strategic investments, education, innovation, and the creative industries as crucial elements for future growth. The Declaration also promotes tourism as a tool to preserve and celebrate the shared cultural heritage of Africa and the Americas, aiming to boost both regions' international appeal and economic development.

Among the key commitments outlined in the Declaration are efforts to strengthen public-private partnerships and increase investments in infrastructure, particularly improving air connectivity between Africa and the Americas. The summit also focused on prioritizing tourism education and training, expanding access to digital skills, and supporting start-ups and entrepreneurs in rural communities through innovative solutions.

The role of creative industries in tourism was another focal point of the summit, with participants agreeing to fund projects that promote cultural routes and diverse tourist destinations. Both regions are committed to ensuring that the benefits of tourism contribute to social and inclusive development, especially in communities that are traditionally underserved by the industry.

In conclusion, the summit reinforced the critical importance of investments and education in building a sustainable future for tourism. Public and private sector leaders, along with representatives from financial institutions, discussed the potential for joint investment initiatives, particularly in green tourism infrastructure. This historic partnership between Africa and the Americas marks a new era of collaboration, aimed at turning shared challenges into opportunities for growth and transformation in the tourism sector.