In a landmark event held at the Adwa
Memory Halls in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (IGAD) unveiled its comprehensive 10-Year Sustainable Tourism
Master Plan. The launch ceremony, which took place on 18 septembre 2024, brought
together a diverse array of stakeholders from across the region's tourism
sector and international organizations, signaling a new era for sustainable
tourism development in East Africa.
The event, marked by high-level
attendance and collaborative spirit, saw representation from all eight IGAD
member states: Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan,
and Uganda. This broad participation underscores the regional commitment to the
plan's objectives and the recognition of tourism's potential as a driver of
economic growth and environmental stewardship.
Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive
Secretary of IGAD, while, was represented at the event,
highlighting the organization's dedication to this long-term initiative. The
presence of tourism ministers from all member states further emphasized the
collaborative nature of the plan and its importance to the region's future.
Her Excellency Ambassador Nasise
Challi, Ethiopia's Minister of Tourism, delivered a compelling keynote address
that set the tone for the event. “This 10-year master plan marks a significant
step forward in our collective efforts to harness the power of tourism for
sustainable development across the IGAD region” Minister Challi stated. Her
words reflected the broader sentiment of balancing economic growth with the
preservation of cultural heritage and natural resources.
The involvement of the United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) at the launch event
signaled strong international support for IGAD's sustainable tourism efforts.
This backing from a key UN body underscores the global relevance and potential
impact of the master plan.
Notably, the Ethiopian Tour
Operators Association (ETOA) played an active role in the proceedings,
representing the crucial involvement of the private sector. Their participation
highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in realizing the ambitious
goals set forth in the master plan.
The 10-Year Sustainable Tourism Master Plan is built on six key pillars:
Promotion of eco-friendly tourism
practices across all member states
Preservation and showcasing of
diverse cultural heritage sites
Enhancement of regional cooperation
and cross-border tourism initiatives
Creation of sustainable job
opportunities in the tourism sector
Improvement of infrastructure to
support responsible tourism growth
Development of standardized
sustainability practices for the region's tourism industry
These objectives aim to create a
holistic approach to tourism development that balances economic benefits with
environmental and cultural preservation. By focusing on sustainability, the
plan seeks to position the IGAD region as a model for responsible tourism
growth.
The master plan's long-term
perspective is particularly noteworthy. By setting a 10-year timeline, IGAD
acknowledges the complexity of the challenges ahead and the need for sustained
effort to achieve meaningful change. This approach allows for the gradual
implementation of initiatives, the monitoring of progress, and the flexibility
to adapt to changing circumstances.
As the event concluded, participants
emphasized the critical need for ongoing collaboration among all stakeholders.
Government bodies, private sector entities like ETOA, and local communities
must work in concert to realize the full potential of the IGAD 10-Year
Sustainable Tourism Master Plan.
While the launch of the master plan
represents a significant milestone, the true test lies in its implementation.
The coming years will reveal the plan's impact on the region's tourism
landscape, economic development, and environmental conservation efforts. If
successful, this initiative could indeed serve as a blueprint for other regions
seeking to develop their tourism sectors responsibly over an extended period.
As the IGAD region embarks on this
ambitious journey, the eyes of the global tourism community will be watching
closely, eager to learn from its successes and challenges in pursuit of a more
sustainable future for the industry.