"The 2nd UN Tourism and ICAO Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa will bring together government leaders from the African continent in Luanda to discuss how tourism and air transport can foster economic integration in Africa, promote economic development, improve infrastructure, and facilitate travel for the African population," reads a statement sent to VerAngola.
According to the statement, the topics that will be at the center of discussion at the conference include connectivity, air transport, and visa-exemption and tourism policies.
The conference will take place from the 22nd to the 24th of this month, and although proceedings begin this Tuesday, the opening session will only be held on Wednesday.
"The opening session of the conference, scheduled for July 23rd, will be chaired by the President of the Republic of Angola, João Lourenço," the statement reads.
For this Tuesday, the program includes "a meeting of experts and workshops involving specialists of various nationalities and different organizations, along with African and Angolan authorities, focusing on the mechanisms currently available to transform tourism and air transport."
Furthermore, the day also features "sessions ranging from assessing the impact of technology on reshaping travel and tourism in Africa, to the development of air transport in Africa through tourism, and to investment in tourism and transport infrastructure on the African continent."
The official opening session of the conference will take place on Wednesday, as well as sessions and discussions.
"On Wednesday, July 23rd, the event will be officially opened, with the presence of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço. The program includes a series of thematic sessions and high-level discussions, focusing on topics such as innovation and technology and new ways to boost tourism and air transport, with the participation of government leaders from various countries on the African continent," the statement states.
On the third and final day of the event, the thematic sessions will continue.
"On Thursday, the 24th, the thematic sessions on tourism and air transport will continue, with a focus on the sustainability and growth of tourism in Africa. They will also include a tour of the city of Luanda and a showcase, with the aim of showcasing Angola's cultural diversity," the statement reads.
According to Augusto Kalikemala, Secretary of State for Tourism, the conference essentially aims to promote a forum where authorities from African countries can discuss challenges and solutions for the tourism and air transport sectors.
"The central objective of the conference is to promote a forum where authorities from African countries can address the challenges facing the tourism and air transport sectors on the continent and find joint and integrative solutions that facilitate the full development of these two important components of the African economy," Augusto Kalikemala noted.
"Today, there is widespread recognition that there is a vital relationship between tourism and transportation, as 80 percent of air travel is driven by tourism. Therefore, today, tourism and air transportation are the main drivers of economic integration between countries in a given region," the Secretary of State for Tourism also stated, as quoted in the statement.
In addition to President João Lourenço, the conference will be attended by "high-level international figures, including the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Zurab Pololikashvili, the President of the ICAO Council, Salvatore Sciacchitano, and the Commissioner of the African Union, Moses Vilakati."
The Ministers of Transport and Tourism, Ricardo Viegas de Abreu and Márcio Daniel, respectively, accompanied by the Secretary of State for Civil Aviation, Maritime and Port Sectors, Rui Carreira, and the Secretary of State for Tourism, Augusto Kalikemala, will also be present.
"These names are joined by other national and international government and institutional figures from various African countries and representatives of regional and international tourism organizations," such as Cape Verde's Minister of Tourism and Transport, José Luís Sá Nogueira.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism, that VerAngola had access to, "holding the conference in Angola is part of a cooperation agreement signed with UN Tourism and represents the country's international recognition as a strategic player in the development of African tourism."
