Tourism Leaders Urge Bold Investment to Drive Africa’s Growth
Global and African tourism leaders have called for bold investment to unlock Africa’s potential as a hub for job creation, sustainable development, and inclusive growth. The call was made at the Africa Tourism Investment Summit, held in Cape Town.
South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, who hosted the summit, welcomed delegates and reaffirmed her country’s commitment to positioning Africa at the centre of global tourism investment.
She stressed that tourism should go beyond economic figures to empower local communities, preserve cultural heritage, and showcase Africa’s natural beauty. Her leadership was widely praised by fellow ministers and the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili thanked South Africa for hosting and proposed that the summit become an annual event. He highlighted tourism as the fastest way to create jobs in Africa and praised South Africa’s world-class infrastructure, remarking that “without infrastructure, there is no tourism.”
He also acknowledged Zambia’s leadership in previous summits and welcomed the participation of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Brazil as evidence of the strength of global partnerships.
Zambia’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Rodney Sikumba, underscored the importance of investment that delivers direct benefits to communities through jobs, skills, and infrastructure. He urged international partners to view Africa not just as a market but as a partner for innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Tourism, Princess Haifa Al Saud, expressed her gratitude to South Africa and praised Minister De Lille’s leadership. She noted that global tourism has grown 1.4 times in the past decade and is expected to double in coming years, stressing that “now is the time” for action.
She called for investment in visa facilitation, air connectivity, product diversification, and city-led tourism strategies, while emphasising that sustainability must put communities at its heart. She also invited delegates to the 26th UNWTO General Assembly in Riyadh this November, where the first-ever Tourize platform will be launched to shape future tourism policies.
Education and skills development emerged as a key priority. Mr Pololikashvili confirmed the continuation of the UNWTO sustainability course, developed with Lucerne University and Madrid, and announced 100 scholarships for South African students funded by Saudi Arabia.
He further linked South Africa’s proven capacity to host major global events with its potential to lead future tourism initiatives.
The summit concluded with a united call for investment as the engine of Africa’s growth. With strengthened infrastructure, empowered communities, innovative education, and robust international partnerships, delegates agreed that Africa is poised to transform its tourism sector into a powerful driver of sustainable and inclusive prosperity.
