Abuja: Delegates and other participants have commended Nigeria for successfully hosting the 68th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF), describing it as memorable. They gave the commendation in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the red carpet of the closing Gala on Thursday night.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the 68th CAF was held between June 11 and June 13 in Abuja, with the theme ‘Boosting Social Impact and Education on Tourism through AI, Innovation and Creative Industries in Africa’. It brought together top government officials across Africa, including Ministers of Tourism and other key players in the tourism industry within the continent and beyond. Some of the stakeholders who spoke with NAN said the event was iconic and it would leave a lasting impact on participants and the industry.
Elcia Grandcourt, UN Tourism Regional Director for Africa, expressed her satisfaction with the meeting, highlighting the successful discussions on integrating artificial intelligence and digital transformation within the tourism sector. She praised Nigeria as a hub for creativity and noted the technical workshop that enhanced the capacity of young leaders in Nigeria’s tourism sector.
Mr. Chuks Anyaduba, curator of the Flavours of Nigeria Festival in Ontario, Canada, congratulated the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy of Nigeria and her team for the historic event. He emphasized the importance of increasing budget allocations for tourism in Nigeria to amplify the country’s cultural and tourism potential globally.
Rodney Sikumba, Minister of Tourism and Wildlife, Republic of Zambia, highlighted the meeting’s role in fostering a common front for Africa’s tourism. Sikumba, elected as Chairperson for the UN CAF for 2025-2027, emphasized the event’s significance in building collaborations among African countries in the tourism sector.
Earlier in her opening remarks, Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, stressed the importance of harnessing culture, creativity, and technology for African prosperity. She urged her colleagues to strengthen ties among African states to enhance the continent’s standing on the global tourism index, expressing optimism for a united vision in promoting tourism across Africa.