UNWTO Commission for Africa analyses the potential of Chinese tourism in the continent

APO News from Africa:

UNWTO Commission for Africa analyses the potential of Chinese tourism in the continent:

The capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, has recently hosted the 59th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa. Held between 18-21 April, the Commission included a High-level Meeting on Chinese Outbound Tourism to Africa, where regional representatives debated the potential that the sector brings to the continent.

Attended by 21 tourism Ministers from the African continent, the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa has become the best platform to discuss tourism trends in the continent and the potential that Chinese tourism can induce at regional level. The attendees also included Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Entertainment of Jamaica and Hongtao Wei, Vice Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration

The 59th edition of the Commission was complemented by a key interactive session on the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development which is being celebrated worldwide through 2017.

“We all come out of Africa, and went on to inhabit the world, making Africa the first source market in history. Africa is the future and Ethiopia is the soul and heart of Africa” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, opening the event. UNWTO Secretary-General received a Recognition Award from H.E. Mr. Muktar Kedir, Minister of Good Governance of Ethiopia to highlight his legacy to promote tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability.

During his intervention, Mr. Muktar Kedir, described his country ´as a unique land where the earliest ancestors of human beings first walks upright, we honestly expect Ethiopia to be one of the prime choices of tourists in the near future that makes them feel safe and enjoy their stay in this yet un explored land´, he said. The Commission served to motivate African Member States to undersign the African Charter on Sustainable and Responsible Tourism as well supporting the African Caravan on Sustainable and Responsible Tourism led by Morocco through activities to be organized and celebrated during the campaign of the International Year.

China has become a major investor in the African continent, contributing to infrastructure development and reshaping the economic landscape, and is the world´s largest outbound market since 2012 after recording double digit growth in expenditure every year since 2004. The meeting witnessed a high level of participation not only from African governments but also private sector stakeholders who discussed the dynamics of the Chinese outbound market together with ways to provide guidance for policies and strategies to African Member States, Chinese stakeholders and African businesses. 

The event was a combination of keynote presentations from UNWTO, IVY Alliance Tourism Consulting, AVIAREPS and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), interactive panels and roundtable discussions.

The Commission was informed that the 60th CAF will be hosted in Chengdu China within the framework of the 22nd Session of the General Assembly, to be held in September 2017. In addition, members of the Commission unanimously welcomed Nigeria´s expression of interest to host the 61st CAF to be held in 2018.

Distributed by APO on behalf of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa

Secretary’s Remarks: On the Occasion of the United Republic of Tanzania’s Union Day:

Press Statement by Rex W. Tillerson, Secretary of State:

On behalf of President Trump and the American people, I congratulate the people of Tanzania as you celebrate the 53^rd anniversary of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Tanzania and the United States have had a strong relationship, marked by a collaborative effort toward shared goals and close cooperation on a variety of programs and initiatives, from health and education, promoting economic growth and democratic governance, and advancing regional security. In the coming year, we look forward to building on our shared accomplishments as we continue with our efforts.

As Tanzanians gather to celebrate Union Day, I share the hopes of the Tanzanian people for a peaceful, healthy, and productive future.

Distributed by APO on behalf of U.S. Department of State.

Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa

Uganda Celebrates African Vaccination Week:

World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) has launched the 7^th African Vaccination Week (AVW) (www.African-Vaccination-Week.afro.who.int), to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination in reducing child mortality and renew efforts around universal vaccination coverage. Vaccination can save children’s lives, and keep adults, communities and nations, healthy. One in five African children still lacks access to all the necessary and basic vaccinations. Uganda is among the top 10 countries with highest number of un-immunized children in Africa.

Uganda joined other African Heads of State that endorsed the Addis Declaration on Immunization (ADI), a historic pledge to ensure that everyone in Africa receives the full benefits of immunization. To support Member State implementation of the ADI, a roadmap has been developed in close collaboration with WHO and other immunization partners. Uganda joins other African countries to celebrate AVW 2016 with various country-specific programs including vaccination, provision of a range of life saving health activities, health promotion, community outreach, media activities and more.

The Ministry of Health (http://Health.go.ug)  through UNEPI (Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunization) has strengthened the immunization system through various initiatives including New Vaccine Introduction, supplementary immunization activities, strengthening vaccine supply chain – buying new equipment, training health workers, enhancing awareness on benefits of immunization, and advocacy and communication including the 2016 immunization act.

This year, UNEPI has organized a number of activities to celebrate AVW with the following objectives (view the multimedia section here: http://APO.af/sjgamo).

Find here (http://APO.af/Wcb1lx) a statement from the Hon. Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Acieng on the 7th Africa Vaccination Week – 2017. 

Distributed by APO on behalf of Ministry of Health – Republic of Uganda.

Contact:
Dr. Opar Bernard Toliva 
Program Manager
Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunization
Ministry of Health, Kampala-Uganda
Tel: +256 772 469323, +256 703 553 553

Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa