Today is earth day. The event is celebrated in 192 countries around the globe. Professor Jeffrey David Sachs is an American economist and director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, where he holds the title of University Professor, the highest rank Columbia bestows on its faculty. He is known as one of the world’s leading experts on economic development and the fight against poverty.

He is a special adviser to the former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on the Millennium Development Goals, having held the same position under former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He is co-founder and chief strategist of Millennium Promise Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending extreme poverty and hunger.

Ambassador Dho promotes tourism, sports, and education to fight poverty in the world’s least developed countries. She is spearheading the Thank You Small Library project of the UNWTO ST-EP Foundation which has established over 80 libraries in developing countries since October 2007.

Ms. Dho is a candidate to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Today Professor Jeffrey David Sachs issued an open letter of endorsement to support the campaign for Ambassador at UNWTO.

The open letter reads: 

To All Concerned:

I am absolutely delighted to learn that Ambassador Dho Young-Shim is a candidate to lead the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Under the very able leadership of Secretary-General Dr.

Taleb Rifai, the UNWTO has positioned itself and the tourism industry as a strong and creative supporter of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. From my detailed and longstanding engagement with Ambassador Dho I have no doubt that she would continue to lead the UNWTO will great energy, dedication, decency, and commitment to the global agenda of sustainable development and peace.

In my capacity as a senior UN advisor and as a development scholar and practitioner at Columbia University, I have closely worked with Ambassador Dho for more than a decade, for both the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. Ambassador Dho is a remarkable person: full of energy, drive, and tremendous organizational and leadership capacity.

She gets things done. She insists that others get things done. And she always acts for the greater good. She has served as a member of many high-level groups in support of the UN agenda and the UN leadership, currently including her active role as a member of the SDG Advocates appointed by the UN Secretary-General, in which I too am a member.

Ambassador Dho knows the challenges facing Africa and the developing world more generally.

She also knows well and on a first-hand basis the successes that Korea has achieved during the past half century in economic development and quality education, and has worked fervently and diligently to extend the lessons of Korea’s successes to the rest of the world. And she knows the myriad ways that tourism can serve not only the wellbeing and safety of tourists and workers in the tourist sector, but of humanity more generally, in extending good will, creating quality jobs, and breaking down barriers between peoples.

I am fully confident that Ambassador Dho would be an outstanding Secretary General of UNWTO.

With all best wishes,
Jeffrey D. Sachs
University Professor
Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

On April 19 UNWTO Candidate Walter Mzembi spoke out about his vision for the future of UNWTO, and the future of global tourism. He spoke in Addis Ababa at a reception hosted by the Zimbabwean government on the sideline of the UNWTO’s Commission for Africa meeting.

TRANSCRIPT of Dr. Mzembi’s statement:

Her Excellency Honourable Hinut Woldermariam, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

His Excellency Dr Kwasi Quartey, Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission

Excellencies, Colleague Ministers

Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines

Invited Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

First and foremost, my sincere thanks to you all for being here this evening. I am aware of how tight our CAF programme is and the heavy demands upon your time : so I am very grateful that so many of you have been able to accept the invitation and to join me as I share with you some thoughts about the electoral campaign in which, on your behalf, I am engaged.

Tonight, I am prompted to speak to Africa – notwithstanding my global vision for tourism which has already been distributed to you.

For the past year, I have literally traversed the world, sharing and building that vision with input from member states. Since 2016, I have also attended all statutory Regional Commission meetings – gathering information, absorbing opinion and regional nuance, and adding to my own understanding and appreciation of the issues of real concern to our sector.

My take on global tourism, therefore, is not the result of a desk-top exercise. It derives, rather, from a lengthy, comprehensive physical engagement with the entire Executive Council.

But before I proceed, Excellencies, again let me acknowledge the presence amongst us of the outgoing Secretary General of our Organisation, Dr Taleb Rifai – now in the twilight of his tenure at the helm of the UNWTO. Someone whom we will all miss very much and someone whose remarkable legacy speaks for itself.

In Africa – and perhaps more specifically sub-Saharan Africa – you will be remembered and indeed revered for your strong adherence to principle : and to the promotion of tourism to foster understanding, particularly in destinations under siege for one reason or another.

I cite the holding of the 20^th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly, by Zimbabwe and Zambia, in 2013, along with Executive Council meetings in Kenya, Egypt and Algeria, as just some examples of the supportive, inclusive approach which has always characterised your leadership.

But these examples are a mere microcosm of your global calendar and the philosophy you have always followed – of promoting tourism as a vehicle to create greater understanding between peoples and cultures, to resolve conflict and, as you have always said, to make this world a better place for all.

But we have now entered a new age : and the global environment which has characterised your tenure of office has changed and indeed continues to change – quite dramatically in some respects –   presenting new, multi-faceted challenges for our sector and, inevitably, for your successor.

The threat of terror – specifically directed at the tourism industry – is now more pronounced than ever before. Equally, the impact on travel of natural disasters, many of them the direct consequence of the phenomenon of climate change.

But add to this

the new and intensifying trend towards isolationism and intolerance by state administrations;

• the apparent shift towards unilateralism and the nationalistic politics of the far right;
• the threat of cyber-terrorism and the unintended consequences of the ICT revolution;

and it is clear that whoever assumes the post of Secretary General, will have his or her hands full with a vastly changed global environment : will have to grapple with the impact of political decisions emanating from nation states against each other – where diplomacy has been sacrificed on the altar of nationalistic unilateralism : and where tourism-economies find themselves at the mercy of such extreme politics.

Accordingly, the incoming Secretary General, will have to be suitably equipped – in terms of qualification, professional experience, general aptitude and craft-competence – to successfully confront those challenges and to effectively respond to the expectations of UNWTO members in this changing world.

Excellencies, Dear Colleagues,

I believe we have no option but to be very honest with ourselves and, in so doing, to ask ourselves a number of questions relative to the pedigree and calibre of the person we would wish to deploy to Capitan Haya street in Madrid; and, obviously, the direction our Organisation should take going forward.

I believe we all agree that this is not a purely sectoral contest. It is not purely about Tourism : and it is not a contest devoid of political content or context.

It is, rather, a quest to find the best, most qualified, most competent person to lead us into the future.

The quest is decided by way of an election. Our electoral college – the Executive Council – comprises 33 member states, each one, nominally at any rate, representing 5 others. It is the Council which comes up the single candidate to recommend to the General Assembly : but, to what extent, if any, do those 33 members consult with the broader membership they represent, with regard to the election of the Secretary General ?

When they cast their ballots, whose choice are they expressing ? Their own, subjective national preference or the consensus choice of the collective they are purportedly representing ?

I raise these two issues because, as we observe this election process, it is becoming apparent that a number of ‘deals’ are being struck – some on the basis of bilateral reciprocal trade-offs – which, often, have little if any relevance to our tourism sector.

Of course, we should not be naive : this is sometimes how things happen and sometimes how these international systems operate. But if we simply close our eyes to it, or worse, become a party to it, we risk, in the end, being beaten by that system : and becoming accessories to the success of other regions rather than our own.

I do not believe we should allow ourselves to be beaten by any entrenched system. Our Continent and our Organisation deserve better. Indeed they deserve the very best.

I believe we need to speak the truth, both to ourselves and to others : so let me proceed by recalling a number of key facts and posing a few pertinent questions – to ourselves, as Africans.

Firstly – we need to be fully aware that we, Africans, constitute a third of the total membership of the UNWTO : 55 out of 157 member countries. It could be said that we provide the heart and soul of the Organisation;

Secondly – we need to appreciate that since 1957, when Robert Lonati inaugurated what would later become the UNWTO, Europe has led the Organisation for some 44 years. The Americas (Mexico) led it for 8 years : and the Middle East, under our brother Taleb here, has led it for 8 years.

The highest post Africa has ever occupied within UNWTO is that of Regional Director for Africa – a post currently held by the Seychelles.

Thirdly – we need to be aware that there exists an established, albeit informal principle of rotational equity which seeks to achieve fairness in the designation of leadership positions within the UN system : the very principle which saw our brothers Boutros Boutros Ghali and Kofi Annan elected to the very pinnacle of UN Leadership posts.

Fourthly – we must never lose sight of the unyielding efforts of our Heads of State and Government to bring about reform of the entire UN system – specifically the Security Council – and their determination to achieve a greater presence and visibility for the Continent throughout the UN system.

I pose the question : Are we, as Tourism Ministers, fully aligned to this broader vision so cherished by our Heads of State and Government ?

Fifthly – and consequent upon the previous point – we must remember that in order to optimise our chances of securing these international positions and fulfilling the wishes of our Heads of State and Government, the African Union conceived the concept of Candidature Committees at both sub-regional and Continental levels : specifically to allow for cross-regional and cross-Continental consultation so as to allow the best candidate to emerge, and then to fight, as a single united Africa, in support of that candidate.

It was this transparent, democratic formula and the unity of purpose manifested by Africa which recently secured an African, Dr Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, former Prime Minister of Togo, the key post of Director General of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Dr Mousshira Khattab of Egypt and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia and indeed I myself, Walter Mzembi, have submitted ourselves to the same stringent selection process as we seek election to the head of UNESCO, WHO and UNWTO, respectively.

The point I seek to make, Excellencies and Dear Colleagues, is, in essence, an obvious one : namely that if we respect and honour the vision of our Heads of State and Government – of seeing Africa accorded its rightful place within the broad international body politic; and if we respect and honour the decisions they have made to gradually bring that vision into reality; and, equally as important, if we remain united in our pursuit of that noble objective, then we constitute a formidable force – well able to overcome the machinations of the entrenched system to which I have referred.

Excellencies,

Election time is drawing nearer. The stakes for Africa are high. If we miss this opportunity – especially if we miss it by virtue of division or allowing ourselves to be used : to become distracted by the blandishments of others who believe, sadly, that Africans can be ‘bought’ – then it will again slip beyond our reach for a decade and possibly more.

Excellencies,

As I ask you to reflect on the issues I have raised, allow me to also address, briefly, the essence of my vision for the future development of global tourism under the aegis of the UNWTO.

My Statement of Policy and Management Intent lists a four-pronged Agenda covering the following areas :

• Administrative and Governance Reform of the Organisation
• Resource Mobilisation and Business Development
• Responsible Tourism and Sustainability
• Organisational Repositioning and Brand Development

My candidature is about

• reform and renewal of the Organisation;
• providing leadership which will take the UNWTO beyond marketing excellence into the realm of high-level diplomacy and statecraft : which will take it to new levels of global visibility, consequence and relevance : and which can deliver growth with equity and real value to all member states in terms of their membership expectations.

It is about

• building an Organisation with more universal membership;
• to enhance its effectiveness and relevance within the broader UN family so that tourism, with its cross-cutting presence within all 17 SDG’s, can fulfil its potential as a significant contributor towards global socio-economic development under the SDG framework;

It is about

• building a more fully inclusive Organisation;
• one which accommodates and reflects all views and which seeks, through inclusive consultation and interaction, to find comprehensive solutions to the challenges which confront the industry today;

It is about

• ensuring greater fairness and equity in the development and growth of global tourism, especially in the emerging world where tourism receipts continue to lag significantly behind other parts of the world;

It is about

• ensuring that the Secretariat is more reflective of the UNWTO’s broad membership; and more gender sensitive;
• ensuring that the Regional Commissions become more visible, present and operational in their respective theatres of activity;

It is about

• working tirelessly to secure Tourism’s place as an integral and indispensable component within the broader trade and investment value chain : after all, each trade and/or investment begins with a visit;

It is about

• initiating debate on the creation of a Global Tourism Fund, by way of innovative, creative think-tanking, with the objective of clawing back even a single US dollar from each tourist arrival as seed-capital for such a Fund;

Without some form of sector-specific Fund, it is hard to see how UNWTO, how Tourism can fulfill its obligations under the SDG framework; or how UNWTO can adequately respond to the development-related expectations of member states, especially those in the emerging economies; 

My candidature is about

• building the Organisation’s capacity to respond more effectively and practically to the many vexing challenges which confront the global industry today.
• Issues such as Tourism and Security, Travel Bans, the Use/Abuse of Travel Advisories, the issues of Migrants; the impact of Currency Fluctuations; Pandemics; Climate Change, Natural Disasters; Child Sexual Abuse;
• Member states expect the Organisation to respond to these issues and to be visible and audible, on behalf of the global tourism industry, especially at international fora where such matters are debated;

These, then, are the core components of my vision. In all, they constitute a comprehensive Ten Point Plan (of Action).

Much greater detail is contained in the folders which Honourable Ministers and Excellencies, you will take away with you this evening.

Excellencies,

The key to such vision lies, essentially, in Leadership – exactly the caliber of leadership which I offer.

Our distinguished host Minister cited leadership – or the lack of it – as a key factor constraining the development of tourism in Africa.

I believe we can all agree with this. I believe we all recognize the opportunity we now have to deploy one of our own into the cockpit of global tourism. Let us not squander that opportunity to accelerate the realization of our own vision, “The Africa We Want”, through Agenda 2063.

Excellencies,

Let me conclude by saying how deeply honored and indeed humbled I am by the faith which African Heads of State and Government have reposed in me through their unanimous endorsement and the confidence they have in my ability to provide leadership of this global Organisation

I am more than ready to serve global tourism and will do so to the very best of my ability.

Excellencies, My Dear Brothers, and Sisters,

My sincere thanks to you all, once again, for being here this evening.

May God Bless You All.

At the just-concluded 59th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Africa tourism was shining. Ministers from 49 countries attended the event at the legendary Addis Ababa Sheraton Hotel in the Ethiopian capital.

Among the participants was Ambassador Madam Dho Young-shim. Madam Dho has devoted 11 years of her life to Africa. She is, however, from South Korea and is the chairperson in charge of the UNWTO- ST-EP Program. ST-EP stands for Sustainable Tourism – Eliminating Poverty Initiative which has projects around the globe. Madam Dho’s latest initiative was the opening of 180 libraries in poor areas in Africa. This has been seen as a dynamic tool for community development and empowerment. This contribution to education is done through the support of children at schools, and through the promotion of reading, music, sports, and health, etc. The libraries are also equipped with Braille reading for blind children.

How it started

At its Millennium Summit in 2000, the United Nations identified poverty as one of the biggest global challenges and set forth as one of its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to eradicate extreme poverty by 2015. The World Tourism Organization has responded to this challenge and opportunity by launching the ST-EP Initiative, which was announced at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002.

 

Despite the special position of tourism in poverty alleviation, often poor segments of the population in developing countries and least-developed countries do not benefit from the economic impact of tourism. The UNWTO Sustainable Tourism – Eliminating Poverty Initiative promotes poverty alleviation through the provision of assistance to sustainable development projects. The initiative focuses on enhancing the organization’s long-standing work to encourage sustainable tourism – social, economic, and ecological – with activities that specifically alleviate poverty, deliver development, and create jobs for people living on less than a dollar a day. UNWTO views the ST-EP Initiative as an effective tool to make a tangible contribution to the MDGs. Tourism can play a significant role, particularly for goals 1, 3, 7, and 8, addressing extreme poverty and hunger, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and global partnership, respectively.

At the 2005 UN World Summit in New York, UNWTO convened meetings with governments, industry, UN agencies, and civil society leaders on how to harness tourism most effectively for the MDGs. These discussions culminated in the adoption of the Declaration on “Harnessing Tourism for the Millennium Development Goals,” an important declaration that put on record the recognition of tourism as a major force for socio-economic development and an effective contributor to the MDGs. The declaration calls on governments, international and bilateral development agencies, corporations, and civil society, to further their efforts in support of the tourism sector through mobilizing additional resources, affording tourism greater priority in development assistance programs and poverty alleviation strategies, and promoting public-private partnerships and good governance.

To alleviate poverty elimination and community empowerment through education, 180 libraries opened in poor areas as tools for community development and empowerment, as well as other activities based on the Korean development experience and know-how.

The Myusung Christian Medical Centre in Ethiopia started 10 years ago and has grown to the point of handing and giving relief to thousands of people in need every year. Conducted by Mr. Henry Moon, the property includes the Medical college annex.

Participants at the Africa conference had a chance to watch a proud Ambassador Dho showing videos demonstrating the success of ST-EP.

The ST-EP Initiative and projects worldwide have generated employment for locals in tourism enterprises. As of January 2017, some 120 ST-EP projects have been approved for implementation in 45 countries and 3 regions. Additionally, 100 projects have been successfully completed, including the Millennium Villages as a tourism destination.

Madam Dho’s eyes light up when she talks about Africa and ST-EP. But Africa has its challenges. “Africa receives only 3 percent of the global tourism flow per year,” said Najib Balala, Kenya Tourism Cabinet Secretary. “Africans need to walk together to re-brand the continent. The country is endowed with the greatest tourism potential, and today, its economy is the fastest growing by an average of 8 percent – a tremulous push with major power in the sector.” Mr. Balala took over the chair of the UNWTO Commission of Africa.

Ambassador Dho is also  a candidate for the upcoming UNWTO election for a new Secretary General.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 20 April 2017- The African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson H.E Mr Kwesi Quartey has urged Africa to practically demonstrate its unity by putting its support behind the candidates endorsed for positions within the international system. He called on Africa to vote as one united bloc to increase its chances of winning.

Mr. Quartey was speaking in Addis Ababa on the 19th of April at a dinner hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in honour of the AU endorsed candidate for the post of Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Dr Walter Mzembi. He added “we must win this for the first time”.

Dr Mzembi was in the Ethiopian capital to attend the 59th meeting of the UNWTO’s Commission for Africa, of which he was chair.

Speaking on behalf of the AU Commission Chairperson H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, Mr Quartey congratulated Dr Mzembi for the unanimous endorsement he received from the heads of state and government of the then 54 member states of the AU. He also stated that the African Union acknowledged tourism as an effective vehicle for sustainable development, key in the building of deeper understanding between peoples and cultures and for the reinforcement of the quest for greater global harmony and peace.

The outgoing Secretary General of the UNWTO Mr Taleb Rifai also spoke at the dinner. “You have already won”, he said, with reference to the work Dr Mzembi has done to uplift the image of his own country and for putting African tourism at the fore. He added that Dr Mzembi had successfully co-organized “one of the best attended” general assemblies of the UNWTO in 2013, when Zimbabwe co-hosted the organisation’s 20th session with Zambia.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian Minister of Tourism and Culture Honourable Hirut Woldemariam wished the candidate all the best in the elections to be held from 11 to 12 May this year in Madrid, Spain. If Dr Mzembi wins, he will become the first African to lead the UN body. Previous secretaries general have been from France, Australia, and Mexico. The outgoing Secretary General, Mr. Rifai is from Jordan.

In his own address, Dr Mzembi reiterated the call for unity among African countries in the vote, noting that Africa’s concept of candidature committees at sub regional and cross continental levels, through which he was endorsed, had “secured an African, Dr Gilbert Fassoun Houngbo, former prime minister of Togo, the key post of Director General of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).”

Africa has two other candidates who have been endorsed by the Assembly of the AU for different posts, i.e. Dr. Mousshira Khatab of Egypt and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia who are contesting for the top posts at the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) respectively.

The Secretary General of the UNWTO is voted for by an electoral college of 33 member states. It is the council that comes up with a single candidate to recommend to the body’s general assembly.

The Addis Ababa dinner was attended by African Ministers in charge of tourism, who were attending the 59th meeting of the UNWTO’s Commission for Africa. African and other ambassadors based in Addis Ababa and other members of the diplomatic corps also attended the event.

In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia the Fifty-ninth meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa and High-level Meeting on Chinese Outbound Tourism to Africa was opened today.

Chairperson of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa is Hon. Dr. W. Mzembi (M.P.) from Zimbabwe, who is also a candidate for election to the next Secretary General for the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

This is an exact transcript of his address to this high level audience today:

• Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the UNWTO,
• Excellencies, fellow Ministers
• AU Commissioners here present
• Excellencies, Ambassadors accredited to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representatives to the African Union here present
• Private-sector tourism and hospitality industry representatives,
• Distinguished Guests
• Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to add my voice to those who have already spoken and, on behalf of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa, and indeed on behalf of all of those who have made the journey to attend our Commission meeting, to express sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Ethiopia for their warm welcome and the generous hospitality they have extended to us all.

It is always invigorating to return to this city, the headquarters of the African Union. It symbolizes the essence of the unity of Africa and encourages us to be bold and forthright – in the knowledge that, acting together and with a commonality of vision and purpose, we can succeed and advance our nations and our people towards the attainment of the ambitious objectives set out in Agenda 2063 – the continental developmental blueprint.

Excellencies, we meet against the background of a relatively positive year for the global tourism industry. International tourist arrivals grew by 3.9% to reach a total of 1,24 billion : and, based on current trends, the UNWTO Panel of Experts projects further positive growth of between 3% to 4 % in the coming year.

Statistics, Excellencies, are useful – but they can also be misleading and, if we are not careful, can lull us into a false sense of well-being and contentment. In illustration of my point : those statistics indicate growth of 8% in tourist arrivals in Africa – whereas the reality is that the bulk of that percentage increase represents recovery from where we were before, in 2014 and 2015, rather than actual growth.

As a Continent, as an African collective, we still lag behind other regions of the world in terms of performance and we continue to command between 3% to 5%, ONLY, of global tourism arrivals and receipts. Given the richness of our Continent and the staggering diversity of the tourism product we offer, we cannot content ourselves with this measly share of the global tourism trade. It simply makes no sense and we must commit ourselves, seriously, to work harder and in a more focused, targeted manner, to more fully and more successfully exploit the massive potential which resides in that product.

So, let us not be unduly misled by such statistics : and let us not relax in any way, shape, or form. The onus is on us, as African Ministers of Tourism, to get our act together, to intensify and accelerate our efforts – at national, regional and continental levels – to ensure, firstly, that our industry is accorded the respect and recognition it deserves within our own countries, regions and within the administrative structures of the African Union, and, secondly, to ensure that our individual and our collective efforts are directed – and let us give ourselves a definitive timeframe – towards growing Africa’s contribution to and its benefit from global tourism.

An important part of our Agenda over the coming days is devoted to China’s outbound tourism flows and how we, as African nations, can mobilize ourselves – specifically at national and regional levels – to accommodate and service the 600-plus million tourists China is expected to unleash on the world by the year 2020. Colleagues will recall that the Chinese Premier himself provided these figures when he addressed the 1^st World Conference on Sustainable Tourism for Development in Beijing in 2016 – underlining the importance, to China, of the tourism sector within its own economic performance matrix.

China has achieved this status as the world’s biggest tourist source market in the space of just 20 years. In part, this is due to the pursuit of successful economic development policies which, in turn have facilitated the emergence of a strong middle class which, in turn, both money-ed and passport-ed, has been encouraged to travel the world.

By 2050, Africans will number 2,4 billion people – twice the current population of China : and it should and indeed must be our intention, Excellencies, to emulate the Chinese experience : for Africa to likewise become a major source market for the global tourism industry : for Africa to earn its place at the top table of global tourism by virtue of successfully and sustainably growing its percentage contribution to international tourism flows and for Africa to realize its massive potential, including in the tourism sector.

That journey will not be an easy one : but it is one we MUST embark upon : and it is one which has to start here, amongst ourselves, as Africans, in Africa.

Some two years ago, Excellencies, you tasked me, as your Chairman, to engage the African Union Commission with the specific task of raising awareness about our sector and its enormous developmental potential at the highest levels of our continental mother-body, and to work to ensure that tourism is effectively reflected, and indeed clearly imbedded in the AU’s Agenda 2063.

In my subsequent engagement with the Commission, I stressed three areas of strategic importance :

• Firstly, the urgent need to develop an overarching continental Tourism Policy;
• Secondly, to oversee the coordination and implementation of such a Policy, the need for a stand-alone Commission for Tourism, with its own substantive Commissioner; or, at the very least and as an interim measure, the creation of a substantive Directorate for Tourism, Bio-Diversity and Aviation; and
• Thirdly, the need for the Commission to convene meetings of African Tourism Ministers and to provide us with an appropriate, collective platform to deliberate, amongst ourselves and with others the myriad issues and opportunities relating to our sector.

As I have reported previously, the response from the Commission has been positive and I am confident that we, and they, are on the same page. It is my fervent hope that the newly-installed Commission at AU Headquarters will embrace what has been achieved thus-far and that they will commit themselves to working with us to progress those beginnings towards the conclusions set out in bullet-points one and two above.

Excellencies, another positive outcome of my engagement with the Commission was the convening, in Lome, Togo, from 14 to 18 March, 2017, of the First Ordinary Session of the AU Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Transport, Trans-Continental and Inter-Regional Infrastructure, Energy and Tourism.

The Agenda of that meeting included all core tourism-related issues and it is my hope, Excellencies, that the action-oriented outcomes thereof are being or will be factored into our work, as Ministers of Tourism, at both national and regional levels. It is my hope, also, that the Commission has taken due note of the outcomes and that, going forward, the issue of tourism and its powerful, multi-faceted potential for sustainable development, will feature more and more prominently within AU priorities – specifically within Agenda 2063 and the alignment of that Agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals Framework.

The fact that we are now well into the UN Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development provides even further justification and a high-profile, global platform, for us here in Africa to push our respective Governments, our regional tourism bodies, the AU Commission and indeed the UNWTO for more action towards the attainment of those ambitious objectives.

Excellencies, like many of you, I attended the recent ITB Fair in Berlin.

Migration and the possible negative impact on legitimate international tourism flows of measures which some countries are putting in place to curb or stop what they view as illegitimate travel, are very topical issues across Europe and the developed world more generally. And, as you know, African countries are not immune from those curbs or the more widespread impact on the free movement of tourist travelers.

Whilst in Germany I was favoured with a paper authored by the Ministry of Economic Cooperation which speaks specifically to the issue of the migration of Africans to Europe and which speaks of the need for a ‘Marshall Plan’ – between the EU and Africa – to create decent employment opportunities on the continent and to provide those who currently risk and often lose their lives crossing the Mediterranean waters with a viable stay-at-home alternative.

This concept of some form of ‘Marshal Plan’ to support the development of low-hanging fruit opportunities in the tourism sector across the continent – specifically to create employment opportunities for our people – is very much a key element of my own vision as your Chairperson and, indeed, as the AU-endorsed candidate for the post of Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organisation ; and forms the basis of the commitment I have made in my campaign engagements across Europe in particular, of working, with the EU and others, towards a future where Africa provides Europe with tourists…..not migrants.

A related, key component of that vision for the future, is the urgent need for us, and our cooperating partners, to initiate discussion on the possibility of establishing a Global Tourism Fund. I do not want to pre-empt debate on the issue – but, if tourism ministries across the globe could claw back just a single dollar from each tourist arrival, it would provide seed capital of around US 1,2 billion dollars for such a Fund.

By way of Joint Venture or PPP arrangements, such seed capital could be used to leverage twice or three times that amount and see the creation of a meaningful source of finance to support the realization of tourism-related projects in our countries : projects which will not only boost tourist arrivals but which will also create decent employment opportunities for our people : and which will enable the tourism sector to make a meaningful, sustainable contribution towards Agenda 2063 – the Africa We Want.

In all this, we look to our Organisation, the UNWTO, for leadership and guidance.

Allow me to thank our esteemed Secretary General, Dr Taleb Rifai, for the unstinting support he has always extended towards us, African Ministers of Tourism, and for the understanding and encouragement he and his dedicated Team continue to provide us in our work. Those efforts have been duly encapsulated in the Framework provided by the Memorandum of Understanding concluded between the UNWTO and the African Union, and provide the basis for far greater and more intensive interaction going forward.

Excellencies, I conclude as I began – by welcoming you all here, by thanking you for the confidence and support you have always given to me as your Chairperson; and by urging you and indeed all of us to greater effort and action, so that we actualise the potential of our sector, gain greater recognition and respect for tourism at national, regional and continental levels, and bring our industry to the very mainstream of our continent’s collective socio-economic developmental programme.

With effort, focus and determination, and with the right leadership, I am very confident of our success.

Excellencies, I wish you all fruitful deliberations during this 59^th CAF meeting.

I Thank You

A month ago, the Armenian minister of Tourism, Hon. Vahan Martirosyan, joined 6 other candidates to compete in the race to be elected as the new Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

This week Armenia withdrew the nomination. The withdrawal of Armenia was not yet officially announced but leaked to eTN.

eTN sources suggested this decision to withdraw may have been the result of one of several questionable behind the scene deals between Georgia’s President, Giorgi Margvelashvili, and leaders of other countries.

Georgia nominated its current ambassador to the UNWTO in Madrid, Hon. Zurab Pololikashvili to run for the top post in world tourism. Georgia’s president Martisoyan had shown great support for Georgia’s candidate. An insider told eTN: “The real candidate  appears to be  President Giorgi Margvelashvi.”

Further eTN sources suggest the withdrawal by Armenia may have been based on such a discussion and on a handshake agreement between the President of Georgia, and the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, to facilitate mutual needs not necessarily related to tourism.

Azerbaijan is known as a rival, some say as an enemy of Georgia. The Azerbaijan press reported today: “Joining the fight for the post of UNESCO Director-General, Azerbaijan evaded participation in the election of the UNWTO Secretary-General and is taking a risk to deteriorate relations with the World Tourism Organization, as a citizen of Armenia has a chance to lead it.”

eTN is relying on a known source, unable to independently confirm at this time.

The Colombian Ambassador for Austria  Hon. Jaime Alberto Cabal  is the latest candidate for the post of Secretary General of UNWTO. This is an up front copy of an interview conducted by eTN Publisher Juergen Steinmetz:

Steinmetz: You entered the race late. Was there a reason to hold off. What triggered your decision to enter the already extensive search for a new UNWTO Secretary General?
Cabal: The process of defining a candidacy has not only to do with personal interests but also with a country’s decision. In the case of Colombia, both the President of the Republic as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs wanted to make a decision based on the possibility of being elected and on the professional competence required for my candidacy. I think those who presented their candidacy first may have certain advantage but to come first not always means to serve first. I think the program, the proposals, and the candidate’s profile play an important role.

Steinmetz:  What makes you different from other candidates?
Cabal:  Without any doubt, I very much respect and value the career of both Brazil’s candidate as well as the candidate who runs for the post of Ad Hoc Secretary in cooperation with the Korean candidate but in my view, the difference lies in the fact that these candidacies are of continuity. Traditionally, in the UNWTO the second ones always aspire or are elected as Secretary General and the proposal that we are making focuses on a renovation. In this case, we wish to have a Latin American candidate who inspires this process we are proposing to UNWTO.

Steinmetz: What would you do to get lost or non-members into the UNWTO. For example the United States or UK?
Cabal: One of the main proposals is to seek an increase of both Member States and Affiliate Members; Member States that have not been participating or States that have been members of the Organization but left. If we analyze the Member States that today are part of the Organization, 156 countries, we observe that there is a much smaller number of members compared to the number of other United Nations Organizations operating in Geneva, New York or Vienna. In this Organization we miss around 50 countries that could be a member of the UNWTO. It is crucial that countries like the UK, the US or the Nordic countries and others can become part of the Organization. Therefore, in my opinion, there has to be a greater offer of more tangible and concrete benefits for Member States and a strategy with a great deal of diplomacy to attract or to invite these countries to become part of the Organization. Without any doubt, this would be one of the main projects I wish to implement.

Steinmetz: WTTC and UNWTO had been working like siamese twins.  WTTC and UNWTO had been working like siamese twins. However WTTC only represents 100 companies.  Of course PATA and ETOA also played a role within UNWTO activities. How would you include other stakeholders of the private sector more prominently?
Cabal: One of the great advantages of the UNWTO within the United Nations system is that it is the only organization which includes the private sector as one of its members through the category of Affiliate Members. The Organization should make better use of this condition. In the same way as the Organization works closely with its Member States, it should also work closely with the private sector seeking to benefit from its strength, expertise and knowledge in the tourism sector. In this respect, I intend to accord greater importance to the inclusion of new Affiliate Members and a leading role to those who are already part of the Organization. I also appreciate the role and purpose of the WTTC as well as the importance of ETOA and PATA. Part of the Secretary General’s work is to maintain a balance regarding the importance and the role of these organizations and other Affiliate Members. This healthy balance also should be reflected at the level of the Organization’s governance. Without losing control of governance to Member States as an intergovernmental organization, Affiliate Members should be provided with some possibility to take part in the great decisions of the Organization

Steinmetz: How would you the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) in the mix. I have to ask you this, since I am the chairman of this organization.
Cabal:  The cooperation with ICTP is as important as the cooperation with other members of the Organization. I consider that ICTP’s role is crucial within the proposals that I present as, for example, the strengthening of quality with regard to the destinations and private service providers, which are the stakeholders. Everything related to sustainable and environmental tourism and the fundamental elements for its development like education or marketing is of utmost importance. Therefore I see ICTP playing an important role during my administration if I am appointed Secretary General.

Steinmetz: What is your feedback on STEP, an initiative led by your opponend Ambassador Dho?
Cabal: All initiatives which contribute to the strengthening of sustainable tourism, which have an impact on education and training and which make a contribution to marginalized communities and the reduction of poverty are always welcomed. This program and this foundation supported by the UNWTO should be strengthened in the future and the UNWTO should evaluate the criteria of programmatic extensions to be incorporated later on.

Steinmetz: As a Colombian, what is your global view on the tourism?
Cabal:  Colombia today presents itself and is recognized by international agencies as one of the countries with the greatest potential regarding the present and future tourism. The variety of touristic products and expertise that Colombia has to offer like sun and beach, cultural and historic tourism, festivities, cities, adventure and rural tourism can be an asset to the world tourism. The new perspective presented by the peace process is something that could be applied to many countries in conflict. I think that this response of Colombia to present this candidacy reflects the momentum Colombia is experiencing in its economy, its social and sustainable development due to the new perspective of peace.

Steinmetz:  How would you increase the importance of tourism within the UN system, including budget challenges, office representation, etc?
Cabal:  The global tourism is today an increasing but also changing tourism. The changes can be found within new forms of tourism, new demands of tourists and new technologies. The countries are more aware of the social and economic impact of tourism and therefore it is crucial for the UNWTO to be a dynamic and changing organization which constantly reinvents itself, which interprets the new realities of both global as well as regional and local tourism. This awareness, of course, should grow within the system of the United Nations and the budget increase is crucial in order to be able to develop new activities and programs. Therefore, I proposed a reduction of internal expenses and an increase of investment resources for programs and activities. This budgetary strengthening should be achieved through the increase of Member States as well as Affiliate Members and by seeking resources on an international level which can contribute to different funds facilitating investments in new programs.

Steinmetz:  What is your feedback on today’s global security challenges?
Cabal:  Terrorism and growing insecurity notably affect many countries, regions, and cities. This, of course, must be a major concern of the UNWTO and its leadership. As we said, the UNWTO should be a facilitator and an advisor to the Member States responding to their immediate needs. One question that should be answered by the UNWTO is, for example, how to help in times of crisis in an agile and immediate way to counter the effects of terrorism faced by some cities and regions. And this is where the countries need the Organization: to provide promotion programs as well as information and communication giving immediate responses to their realties and needs, to provide tourists with information where they can go etc. and, like this, counter the negative effect or image that a terrorist attack may have on country or city. The perception obviously no changes as quickly as reality does, and this change of realties should be accompanied by the UNWTO through its relation with its Member States. There should be a team which should provide immediate responses to countries in need of this support. That means that among the Organization’s priorities should exist a support program for countries that experience insecurity or terrorist attacks.

Steinmetz:  What is your stand on open or closed borders, visas, electronic visas and some key countries shifting to a more closed society.
Cabal:  As I already mentioned in some previous questions, the UNWTO should act as a facilitator and advisor and in this context, it should try to eliminate the existing barriers in order to increase the tourist flow and create new tourist destinations. Many times, these barriers exist due to border controls and visa obligations which impede this increase. Here, the UNWTO should act as a partner and support so that countries become aware of the possible positive impact of lifting visa requirements imposed to tourists in the world. At the same time, it should act as an advisor for tourists in order to facilitate traveling and provide information regarding barriers they may encounter. In other words, the UNWTO has to play an important role in this new development and the world integration so that tourists can travel more easily and benefit from new technologies to enter another country, which already exists  in many airports through electronic visas.

Steinmetz: What do you stand on acceptance of minority groups, including the LGBT travel industry?
Cabal:  I consider that the UNWTO should be a facilitator and an advisor to its Member States regarding public policies and it should take into account all different kinds of tourism, different products of tourism or changes that are taking place in different countries. In this regard, the LGBT tourism has gained great importance with a broad participation of products offered in different international fairs all over the world. I think that the UNWTO should have an inclusive approach towards this tourism modality while, at the same time, effectively countering and fighting those forms of tourism that violate human rights and attempt against good practices as it is the case of sexual exploitation, human trafficking and child labor, among others.