SWITCH Africa Green Regional Sector Meeting on Sustainable Tourism

SWITCH Africa Green organized the Regional meeting on Sustainable Tourism, that was held from 29-30 October 2019, in Kigali, Rwanda. The meeting discussed the economic viability of enterprises in the sustainable tourism sector that have led to improved livelihoods, income generation and creation of jobs while preserving the environment. In attendance were Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) experts, policy and decision makers, financial institutions and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Participants came from Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, Uganda and Senegal, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the European Union (EU), UN agencies as well as other experts and stakeholders in the sustainable tourism industry around Africa.

Speakers

The meeting was officially opened with remarks by Mr. Frank Turyatunga, Deputy Director, Africa Office of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Other speakers included Mr. Faustin Munyazikwiye, Deputy Director General of the Environmental Management Authority (REMA) of Rwanda, Amb. Nicola Bellomo, Head of the European Union Delegation in Rwanda and Ms. Belize Kariza, the Chief Tourism officer, Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

Setting the scene

Mr. Patrick Mwesigye, Regional Coordinator, Resource Efficiency, United Nations Environment Programme set the scene of the meeting while Ms. Rhoda Wachira presented the Regional Report on Sustainable Tourism: Focus on Green Business Development.

Other sessions included a Panel Discussion on Good Practices from SWITCH Africa Green projects with presentations on Greening Mauritian Tourism Industry by Noormamode Malick of Manisa Hotel, Mauritius, Let’s Go Travel by Angela Njehia of UNIGLOBE, Kenya, Sustainable business model in the hospitality industry by Ali Abdool of Sun Resorts, Mauritius and Yousra Mounir of Amaken Trips of Egypt from the SWITCH Med Programme. On Sustainable Tourism Interventions  presentations were made on Policy interventions for Sustainable tourism in Uganda by Vivian Liyazi, Sustainable community-based tourism model in South Africa by Wilna Botha  and Greening the value chain of tour operators in Mauritius by Daren Moodely. Parallel Working Groups looked at Policies to promote Sustainable Tourism, Financing for Enterprises in Tourism Sector, Sustainable Tourism Markets and Technical Assistance Models for Enterprises in Sustainable Tourism. These groups reported to plenary.

Summary of recommendations

It was noted that there are many good existing models that should be scaled up and replicated. In addition, the region could benefit from a network of likeminded organizations and individuals to regularly share knowledge on the best practices. It was recommended that a regional networking forum on sustainable tourism should be established. Members were also encouraged to provide inputs to the Africa Union Tourism strategy to ensure these issues are well captured at the regional level.

The workshop report is available here.