Nigeria will host the 68th UN Tourism Commission for Africa meeting in Abuja this June, aiming to boost sustainable tourism and cultural exchange across the continent
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria’s Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy has announced that the nation will be the proud host of the 68th meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF). The significant event is scheduled to take place in Abuja from June 11th to 13th, 2025.
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The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, made this announcement following a courtesy visit from a two-person delegation representing the United Nations Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF) in Abuja recently.
During her initial discussions with the UN Tourism team, Minister Musawa emphasised that hosting the CAF meeting presents a unique opportunity to strengthen collaboration and advance the shared vision of tourism as a driver for sustainable development throughout the African continent.
Minister Musawa further stated Nigeria’s intention to showcase its rich and diverse cultural heritage while also highlighting the resilience and potential of its tourism sector.
She affirmed, “We are excited to host this important event and showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and tourism potential. We look forward to working closely with the UN Tourism and other stakeholders to make this event a resounding success.”
The Minister also elaborated on the substantial benefits of a thriving tourism sector and the government’s readiness to host the upcoming conference.
The event is expected to draw together key stakeholders from across Africa to engage in discussions about the future trajectory of tourism on the continent.
Minister Musawa explained, “The tourism sector creates both direct and indirect economic benefits by generating income from tourist activities, including accommodation, transportation, food services and entertainment.
Beyond the immediate economic impact, tourism stimulates ancillary industries such as construction, retail and agriculture, leading to job creation and fostering a more diverse and resilient economy.
As more people travel to Nigeria for business, leisure, and cultural exploration, the sector’s contribution to national revenue continues to grow.”
She further reiterated Nigeria’s strong and ongoing partnership with UN Tourism, acknowledging the crucial role that collaboration plays in achieving sustainable growth for Africa’s tourism industry.
“Through its continued engagement with UN Tourism, Nigeria actively contributes to shaping policies, promoting best practices, and supporting initiatives that foster responsible tourism development across the continent.
This partnership is essential not only for strengthening Nigeria’s tourism sector but also for advancing Africa’s position as a leading global tourism destination, ensuring that the continent’s rich natural and cultural heritage is preserved for future generations,” the Minister stated.
Earlier in the meeting, the leader of the UN Tourism delegation, Elicia Grandcourt, expressed her confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to successfully host the event, referencing the country’s positive track record in hosting similar international gatherings.
She underscored the potential advantages of the meeting, particularly for young Nigerians, who can leverage Artificial Intelligence for empowerment and new opportunities.
Ms. Grandcourt noted that the event is designed to boost social impact and education within the tourism sector through innovation, AI, and the creative industries.
She remarked, “It’s not just about the meeting but also what you, as a country will gain out of this meeting. We will be coming here in June with all the Tourism Ministers in the region.
We have seen how the tourism sector in general has shifted on the continent, whereby countries who earlier depended on oil are now moving to the tourism sector because of the economic value, environmental and social impact.
We will make this valuable, especially for local participants. We will run a technical workshop that focuses on innovation and artificial intelligence, so, we will be capacitating the local team on how they can maximize this sector through the use of the new technologies.”
In her welcome address, the Director of International Tourism Relations and Cooperation of the Ministry, Dorothy Duruaku, conveyed her gratitude to the UN team for their visit, recalling that Nigeria has previously hosted the CAF meeting on four separate occasions.
“Our ability to host CAF 2025 is not in doubt as members of the organizing committee have been working assiduously to ensure a successful meeting.
We will commence inspection of the meeting halls, hotels and other facilities immediately and ensure that everything needed is in perfect order ahead of the meeting,” she assured.
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The 68th meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF) in 2025 is themed ‘Boosting the Social Impact and Education in Tourism through Innovation, AI, and the Creative Industries’.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
