IGAD Promotes Tourism in the Region

21-08-2017, Djibouti (Djibouti): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) this morning launched the IGAD Tourism Statistics Workshop for Strengthening of Tourism Statistical Systems & Development of Tourism Satellite Accounts for IGAD and Member States in Djibouti under the leadership of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Commerce and Tourism of Djibouti, Mr. Ali Daoud, The Director of Economic Integration-IGAD, Mr Elsadig Abdalla, and the Head Cluster on Sub-regional Initiatives for East Africa at the UNECA, Ms Daya Bragante.

This meeting is bringing together key IGAD tourism stakeholders, and serves as the 2nd Regional Tourism Meeting since the launch of the IGAD Sustainable Tourism Master Plan (STMP) 2013-2023.

The aim of this meeting is to advance IGAD STMP agenda, in particular, reviewing the implementation status with a view to identifying key milestones, key challenges and to recommending way forward to ensure that targets are met.

Mr Ali Dini declared that the meeting will allow harmonization of IGAD Member States procedures in regards to statistics, which will contribute to measuring progress made in the implementation of the IGAD STMP. “Our region is capable of engaging into the necessary reforms and investments in order to be more competitive as a premier global tourism destination”, he said.

Mr Elsadig highlighted that through collaboration between IGAD Secretariat, Member States, UNECA, and partners, the foundation land mark was laid with the IGAD Sustainable Tourism master plan 2013-2023. “The essence of this meeting is to see how far had we gone since we adopted our Master Plan, and to see how we can keep moving”, he said.

Ms Bragante noted the importance of tourism for the development of the region so rich in culture, history, and natural beauty.

The meeting provides a platform through which Member States and key tourism stakeholders exchange ideas and share lessons of best practice. In addition, given that there have been a number of developments including the African Union Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 for sustainable development, the meeting also serves as an opportunity to link the IGAD STMP to these emerging global and continental development agendas.

It is financially supported by the African Capacity Building Foundation, based in Harare the capital of Zimbabwe, and technical assistance is brought by the UNECA.
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