Khartoum – Minister of Tourism, Archeology and Wildlife, Dr. Mohammed Abu Zaid Mustafa announced that the UNWTO

Berlin meeting has endorsed Sudan as 2018 interface a matter that will contribute in attracting the tourists from all over the world, adding that the step justifies the distinguished participation of Sudan in UNWTO Fair in Germany.
He emphasized, in the Omdurman Radio Talk Show Programme, the importance of the participation of Sudan in the activities of the exhibition to display the touristic role of Sudan, besides the signature of Memorandum of Understandings with international companies to promote tourism in Sudan.
He added that Sudan has participated in the African ministerial working meeting conveyed by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) during this year’s Berlin International Tourism Fair.
The Minister announced that the restoring of Sudan position in September 2016 in the UNWTO resulted in the scheduling of Sudan debts for 25 years besides receiving support to improve the main infrastructure and training.
He affirmed their keenness to boost cooperation in tourism through activating the external moves towards the international tourism markets, adding that the Ministry is working to upgrade the sustainable tourism and to contribute in diversification of income aiming at improving the national economy.
The Minister added that they are implementing the sustainable tourism plan through better utilization of the resources and preserving environment along with developing the resorts.
He announced that Sudan will participate in the joint Sudanese/Qatari Archeological committee aiming at restoration of Sudanese archeological sites, hailing the role of Turkey in the restoration of Sawakin archeological sites.
Against the backdrop of international tourist arrivals expanding 8% in Africa in 2017, thus outgrowing the world average increase in arrivals, tourism is gaining weight as a development opportunity for the whole continent, with its vast diversity of nature, culture and wildlife its greatest vehicle for development.
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stressed that “tourism has huge potential to generate lasting development opportunities in Africa if we manage it in the right way, which is economic, social and environmental sustainability”.
The participants from 17 countries, including 14 ministers, supported a coordinated approach to seizing the continent’s potential for tourism, a sector that last year attracted more than 62 million international visitors. Issues on the UNWTO Agenda for Africa include, among others, connectivity, the image and brand of Africa, poverty alleviation, climate change, education and skills development, and financing. Delegates underscored the importance of educating other economic sectors on the broad impact of tourism for the benefit of societies and its people, and promoting tourism as a priority in national agendas.
The detailed, four-year UNWTO Agenda for Africa will be approved at the upcoming 61st Regional Commission for Africa – UNWTO’s annual gathering of all its member countries of the continent –in the Nigerian capital of Abuja (4-6 June).
The following countries were represented at the meeting at ITB: Angola, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.