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Tourists May Get Reduced Visa Restrictions In Nigeria, Other African Countries
4-day event that was held in Samarkand, the Republic of Uzbekistan
The 25th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has been concluded.
It was a 4-day event that was held in Samarkand, the Republic of Uzbekistan.
One of the gains for Africa at the gathering, which emphasized the need for opening new Regional and thematic Offices, is the push by the Commission for Africa (CAF) for lesser Visa restrictions for tourists.
The call by CAF, which speaks to UNWTO’s newly adopted “Tourism Opens Minds” pledge, advocates that African tourism growth will be Pan-African.
The Tourism Open Minds is “a pledge to develop tourism in less visited regions, to open up new opportunities, And to create moments to establish a dialogue between strangers. To make travel a truly heart and mind-opening experience” according to the information available.
The Commission for Africa (CAF), with Nigeria as Vice President, adopted a united front under the theme “One Africa, One Voice” in the push for reduced visa requirements at the event which was held from October 16 to 20, 2023.
Folorunsho Coker, the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Authority (NTDA) whose unrelenting efforts returned the country to global reckoning represented Nigeria at the event.
Added checks revealed that Uzbekistan has taken the lesser Visa restrictions approach to boost tourism.
The Republic offers a 30-day and 60-day visa-free regime for tourists with the requirement of an accompanying legal representative for those under 16 years of age.
CAF wants to put in place a related tourism booster – and more – on the continent in the mold of “Open African Skies” to forge the intentional pan-African approach to tourism development.
The push for reduced Visa restrictions when realised will expectedly soar Nigeria’s tourism sector through easier access by the outside world to the vast potential being harnessed by the game-changing roadmap of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority.
Aside from the push for reduce Visa restrictions across the continent by CAF, other highlights of the 25th UNWTO General Assembly include the 73% vote in favor of Secretary-General Pololikashvi for a third term, the approval additional members to serve on the World Committee of Tourism Ethics, with a clear commitment to diversity, the extension of the mandate of the Task Force on Redesigning Tourism for the Future.
Members were also provided updates on reforms to reinforce UNWTO’s compliance with UN standards.
