For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry

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African Tourism Board statement on the passing of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh

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The African Tourism Board President Alain St.Ange has paid tribute to Prince Philp saying he was more than a public figure.


Alain St.Ange was speaking on behalf of the Executive Committee of the African Tourism Board when he expressed Africa’s sympathy to HRH Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Family, the People of Great Britain and also Members of the Commonwealth Family.

“We all remember the Prince as not just the consort to Her Majesty the Queen but also as a man who saw greatness beyond the borders of the United Kingdom”


Many countries on the African Continent remember fondly the Prince visits to our shores, each with a historical tale to tell” St.Ange said.

Africa has been marked by these visits starting with their stay at Tree Tops in Kenya when news broke of the passing of the King and father of Queen Elizabeth” St.Ange said in ending.

www.africantourismboard.com

African Tourism Board is reaching out to Mauritius facing another crisis

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Pretoria, South Africa: The African Tourism Board (ATB) has learned with great concern about the unprecedented incident of a disastrous oil-spill in Mauritius.

It comes when the tourism sector is meant to gradually bounce back in the Continent.
This accident will surely have a long-lasting environmental impact and the people of Mauritius are facing this situation at a time every country is dealing with a deadly pandemic that has brought our sector to a standstill.

Cuthbert Ncube, Chair of ATB said: “The people of Mauritius however are an example to the world when it comes to resilience in keeping the virus off their shores. “

Cuthbert Ncube, Chairman African Tourism Board

“There are times when countries should rally behind each other and come up with an African mechanism in quilling and dealing with such eventualities”, ATB Chairman Cuthbert Ncube added. “We are ready to assist Mauritius. Also, we’re applauding the people leading the travel and tourism industry in Mauritius in coming together in large numbers to respond to this unexpected additional crisis.”

The African Tourism Board believes in tourism to be a catalyst for unity, peace, growth, and prosperity for the people of Africa.

The African Tourism Board is an organization where Africa becomes One Tourist Destination of Choice in the World.

More information on the African Tourism Boar can be found at www.africantourismboard.com

Source: African Tourism Board Press Office

First Press Conference for Project Hope and Rebuilding Travel scheduled

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The African Tourism Board, Project Hope, and Rebuilding.travel scheduled their first global virtual update and press-conference for Tuesday, June 23, 2012. Journalists and those interested are invited to attend.

Project Hope is the response to COVID-19 for the African Tourism Board.

Rebuilding.travel is the global communication on COVID-19 and the travel and tourism industry in more than 114 countries.

Both initiatives are inviting to a public press-conference to update about their activities under the chairmanship of Dr. Taleb Rifai, former secretary- general of the World Tourism Organization UNWTO

Tuesday, June 23, 2020
19.00h South Africa | Germany |  7.00h Hawaii Time | 10.00 California | Noon Chicago | 13.00 New York |  18.00 London | 20:00 Jordan – Israel – Saudi Arabia | 21.00 UAE | Midnight Bangkok | 1.00 Hong Kong | 2.00 Tokyo

Click here to register

African Tourism Board reaches out to the EU

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African Tourism Board (ATB) Task Force members and tourism experts aired their views, seeking the European Union to support Africa with tourism recovery and development plans in the post-Covid-19 pandemic timeframe.

In their virtual (webinar) meeting held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday evening, May 19, 2020, ATB senior executives, members, and tourism experts called for support from the EU for African countries with tourism recovery and development stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic that has mostly stamped out tourism on the continent.

ATB Patron and conference moderator, Dr. Taleb Rifai, along with Patron, Alaine St.Ange, called for EU support for Africa on the post-COVID-19 road to tourism recovery.

Dr. Rifai said that Africa needs financial back-up and other support from the EU for tourism recovery as well as development programs amid and after the COVID-19 pandemic. He told conference participants that African countries need financial support from the European Union whose members are the leading tourism market sources for Africa.

Panelists and participants of the conference discussed pertinent issues targeting Africa’s tourism development, ranging from safety and security to health and education.

Dr. Peter Tarlow spoke about domestic and regional tourism development in Africa, pegging a context of Tanzania which ATB Ambassador Mary Kalikawe had forwarded for discussion.

Peter also spoke about security and Public Private Partnership (PPP) in development of domestic and regional tourism bases in Africa.

“People should visit and enjoy their own tourism. Africans should strive to visit their own continent before opting to travel outside the continent which is very expensive,” Peter said.

He said that tourism stakeholders should carry a “Message of Tourism as a Message of Hope.” Integrated efforts, training, and security are crucial on ensuring Africa’s tourism development during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initial post-COVID-19 travels are expected in such areas as families, friends, and sports, Peter added during his webinar conference discussion.

Participants also discussed the need to bring Africa’s rich history onto the tourism docket with support from UNESCO, which can also support tourism recovery in African national parks and islands under a resilience project.

Key issues discussed, among others, included a need to develop “Tourism Resilience Zones” in Africa, pegging at tourist attractions and products available in each zone.

Egypt and Jordan were cited as good examples of single tourist zones in the Mediterranean, taking into account their ancient civilizations which are tourist draws in both of these countries of North Africa and the Middle East.

The Vanilla Islands in the Indian Ocean were also suggested as being included on a list of COVID-19 Free Zones to attract tourists for the time being.

ATB Senior Member, Dr. Walter Mzembi, said that Africa’s source markets should recover first so as to open doors for Africa’s post-COVID-19 recovery.

A good number of issues were brought before the panel for discussion during the exciting 90-minute webinar conference which attracted ATB Ambassadors in Africa as well as outside the continent to take part in the event.

Several projects aimed to develop tourism in Africa were discussed with feedback provided from ATB supervisors and executives.

The African Tourism Board is an association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from, and within the African region. For more information and how to join, visit africantourismboard.com .

#rebuildingtravel

Project Hope Travel launched

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The birth of “A New World Tourism” was launched today with supporters in 26 countries. The New Tourism initiative is s called Project Hope Travel. www.projecthope.travel

Hashtag #projecthopetravel was established to share ideas, initiatives for tomorrow’s tourism. This is a public-private partnership to prepare for a new reality of the travel and tourism industry after COVID-19.

“There is a lot of love, passion and hope for tourism. Tourism the way we know it will be history, but if we play our cards well, it will emerge even better and more beautiful”, said Juergen Steinmetz, CEO of the Travel News Group. He is also a founding member of this group.

Now is the time for everyone in this industry to take a seat on a virtual table and share ideas, projects and initiatives. Tourism is an industry of peace, and the chance for tourism to show this has never been better.
Project Hope Travel provides this platform.

Why Iranians and Americans are friends beyond conflicts
Juergen Steinmetz speaking at the Islamic Hall of the People in Teheran in 2008. Sitting next to him is Louis D’Amore founder and president of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism

Najib Balala, secretary of tourism Kenya, Louis D’Amore, founder of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism, Deepak Joshi, former CEO Nepal Tourism Board, Pascal Viroleau, CEO of the Vanilla Island Tourism Organization, Ambassador Dho Young-shim from South Korea, or Minister Edmund Bartlett from Jamaica are only some of the people who had the idea and helped to established Project Hope Travel.

Kenyan President confirmed as Tourism Resilience Center Honorary Co-Chair
Hon. Najib Balala (left), Kenya’s Minister of Tourism and Wildlife, gives his Government’s endorsement of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCM) hosted by the Ministry of Tourism at the offices of the Jamaica Tourist Board, New Kingston. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett

Current tourism leaders get a chance to share their ideas with those running and operating the industry. A new set of future movers and shakers is about to emerge to make tourism a more responsible, more beautiful and more profitable industry.

Zachary-Rabinor-and-Gloria-Guevara
Gloria-Guevara

Today the World Travel and Tourism Council will announce its “Together in Travel”  Campaign. Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC told her members:  “Dreaming is part of our zest for life and our new campaign encourages thoughts of the brighter days ahead. Travel & Tourism is a critical sector to the global economy, accounting for one in four of all new jobs worldwide and contributing 10.3% to GDP. Our sector touches everyone. It builds communities, reduces poverty in the world and improves the social impact of everyday lives. Yet we are uniquely exposed at this time due to Covid-19.

Last Week “From Bahamas with Love” video was introduced. Abu Dhabi, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, and many others had released their own beautiful virtual and video campaigns. Project Hope Travel is bringing all these initiatives under one roof.

The Hon. Moses Vilikati. member of this group and the Minister of Tourism for Eswatini proudly presented a video message from this beautiful African Kingdom.

How will tomorrow’s tourism look like?

Project Hope Travel was launched to shape tomorrow’s tourism and help industry members to find resources and assist with a tough reality.

Bringing some of the brightest minds in the global world of tourism together, putting them on one virtual table, and adding smart and dedicated people from all sectors and positions in the industry will create new synergy and. This is what Project Hope Travel wants to assist with.

Project Hope Travel

Project Hope Travel was an initiative that emerged at a board meeting by the COVID-19 task force meeting of the  African Tourism Board

African Tourism Board President: African tourism is one
Alain St.Ange, President of the African Tourism Board

Co-Chair Alain St. Ange, former minister of tourism from Seychelles summarized it: “Hope for Africa and for the World at large is today so needed. But just hoping will not make a difference by itself. This is why I am thankful that a group of dedicated tourism professionals has joined together to not only initiate Project Hope Travel, but to also make time to steer it for the benefit of everyone in the world.

TalebLouis
Taleb Rifai & Louis D’Amore

Chairman Dr. Taleb Rifai, who was also the UNWTO Secretary-General reminded: “We all came out of Africa.
In today’s world, I would like to believe that, the transformative power of travel and tourism, when well managed and utilized, is a cornerstone in establishing world peace and in turn a better world, for people and planet. Protecting our cultural and natural heritage, Empowering local communities. Breaking down stereotypes enabling us to experience, enjoy and celebrate the beauty of our rich cultural diversity. These are indeed some of tourism’s contributions to MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

Project Hope Travel already has the support of tourism ministers, top-level executives, and travel professionals working in all levels of the industry. At launch Project, Hope Travel has supporters in 26 countries and 5 continents. WTTC and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center are among those on the virtual table.

Birth of “A New World Tourism”: Project Hope Travel
Cuthbert Ncube and Hon Najib Balala

ATB Chairman Cuthbert Ncube said: “As Africa is speaking with a united voice in curbing the scourge of the pandemic, this is an encouraging endeavor in a crisis that has driven the west and the east to shift their priorities. Together we will succeed and become stronger. Project Hope Travel is Africa’s contribution to the world of tourism.”

There is no charge to join the discussion and share initiatives. Everyone ready to participate is welcome.

More information on www.projecthope.travel 

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Project Hope Travel

COVID 19 Tourism Task Force for Africa established

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Pretoria – 21 March 2020: The African Tourism Board (ATB) was one of the first international organizations that had reacted to the ongoing corona crisis. ATB was the first organization to take a tough stand and voiced support for border closing and air interruption. ATB’s message to Africa was to stay home and allow tourism to prosper later. This message was established before the canceled ITB trade show in Berlin earlier this month.

ATB had been working hard to mobilize our rapid response system and mobilize a global team of experts.

On Friday, March 20, 2020, the African Tourism Board was also the first global organization to take on coronavirus in announcing the formation of the COVID 19 Tourism Task Force for Africa.

Recognizing Africa is no longer exempt from the rapid spread of this deadly virus. Tourism must protect itself. This is the immediate task African Tourism Board is lobbying for.

Joining the growing team of this newly established task force are known tourism celebrities operating under the leadership of Dr. Taleb Rifai, patron, who was the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for almost 8 years.

Joining also is ATB president and former Minister of Tourism for Seychelles Alain St. Ange, and Dr Peter Tarlow a renowned international expert in travel, tourism, and health. Dr. Tarlow has managed tourism safety and security projects as well as training of tourism police around the globe. Dr. Tarlow also teaches medicine at the University in Texas, USA. He was appointed by ATB as their safety and security expert at the official launch of the organization in April 2019 during WTM Cape Town. He assisted ATB destinations during the Ebola crisis, and during a kidnapping incident involving an American tourist.

Also joining the team is the entire African Tourism Board Executive committee. It includes Cuthbert Ncube, chair,  Simba Mandinyenya, COO, Juergen Steinmetz, founding chair and CMCO and Doris Woerfel, CEO of the South African based NGO.

The COVID 19 Tourism Task Force for Africa is in direct contact with sitting ministers and heads of African National and Regional Tourism Boards and tourism associations. ATB’s goal is to expand the task group and have a ministerial advisory committee working alongside the group.

The task force will be able to react to this emerging crisis on a daily basis. It will be flexible enough to adjust its activities constantly without having to delay the process by a time-consuming decisionmaking process.

The task force was invited by Gloria Guevara, CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to join their crisis committee.

ATB Chairman Cuthbert Ncube said: “I see our role as having the interest of our African travel and tourism industry in mind. The victim in the coronavirus situation clearly is the travel and tourism industry. We are more fragile in Africa than anyplace else in the world.
The goal of this task force will be to act efficiently and fast, giving our members and African stakeholders an important voice and help to minimize the impact of this global challenge .”

The African Tourism Board’s philosophy is to see tourism as a catalyst for unity, peace, growth, prosperity, job creation – for the people of Africa.
ATB’s vision: Where Africa becomes ONE tourism destination of choice in the world.

For more information, contact information and to join please visit www.africantourismboard.com

African Tourism Board on COVID19: Act Now!

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A leading voice of tourism development on the African continent, the African Tourism Board (ATB) is of the position that the “wait and see period on Covid-19” is over for Africa and the time to “ACT NOW”. Going forward, ATB will be releasing industry updates to keep African Tourism stakeholders informed and advised on mitigatory measures we must all take to ensure we survive the damages of the Corona Virus pandemic. It is important to note that for the continent to respond effectively to the threat and damage of Covid-19 a coordinated approach is required. We must all consult, share ideas and advice on recovery measures.

In today’s edition ATB proposes to the African Union Member States and industry stakeholders the following:

• ATB commends those Member States that have constituted National inter-sectoral or inter-ministerial a Corona Virus Committees or Task Forces. It urges those that have not done so to establish such national structures as a matter of urgency. The purpose of such national structures is to ensure that all sectors are able to feed into the national discussions on the impacts of the pandemic and decisions on priorities for mitigating and recovery.
ATB further urges the Tourism Sector to ensure that both its private and public players
• are adequately represented on these national structures.
• ATB advises on the importance of sharing information and experiences particularly in these situations where countries may have to close their borders to foreign travel and to quarantine sections of the population.
• ATB, therefore, urges the National Tourism Authorities to establish National Tourism Task Teams with a resourced research and information dissemination function. Such task Forces should continuously, gather information and relevant intelligence on the impact of the virus at national level and to feed into the National Task Force.
• ATB is at advanced stages in its discussions with Strategic Partners including NEPAD-AUDA and UNWTO to establish a focal point/desk to collect and collate all information from the national structures to facilitate free flow and sharing of vital intelligence to counter the damages of the pandemic.
• ATB recommends that National Task Teams must already be planning for mitigation and rapid recovery. It is equally important that we all as a continent, share such plans.
• In the meantime Member States, Tourism Task Teams responsible for intelligence gathering can share information by contacting ATB at info@africantourismboard.com. The ATB will use such information responsibly and process it for sharing with all Member States and key stakeholders.
ATB continues to advise that the pandemic is already impacting on the health systems and economies of the continent. All countries must be on high alert, taking necessary measures to protect the lives and health of people of the continent and all its visitors. Travel and tourism is a frontline industry in the fight against this pandemic and as we have seen in other parts of the world, it is being hit first and it is being hit hard. Again as reported in affected countries, once in the community, the virus spreads fast and across geographical areas, impacting hard on the health sector and the rest of the economy. Travel and Tourism are affected almost immediately.
The proposed measures are meant to ensure no section of the industry must be caught unawares, all players must be alert to the developments and operators should not go for short term gains or measures but to look at the bigger picture, building resilience and creating measures for a rapid recovery
ATB continues to advise African Governments that post the immediate health and economic impacts, Transport and Tourism are the strategic and frontline sectors with the capacity to pull other sectors of the economy to recovery. But to do that these sectors must be resourced. Therefore the structures proposed in this article must be taken seriously to inform and be a strategic vehicle for crafting and implementing effective management, mitigation, and rapid recovery plans. Resource allocation must prioritize transport, travel, and tourism as strategic to rapid economic recovery.

More information on the African Tourism Board: www.africantourismboard.com

Media contact:
www.africantourismboard.com/contact
CCO Juergen Steinmetz : +1-808-536-1100 jts@africantourismboard.com

African Tourism Board is now a non profit company with Aloha

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African Tourism Board was approved by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission of South Africa to become a Non-Profit Company. A certificate was issued on Wednesday, January 8, 2020

“A new era for ATB starts from today”, says Doris Woerfel, CEO of the African Tourism Board. ATB Chairman  Cuthbert Ncube echoed expressing his excitement and commitment to expressing his desire for the African Tourism Board to become the prime voice of the African Travel and Tourism Industry.
Dr. Taleb Rifai gave it a thumb up today.

Juergen Steinmetz, founder of the organization said: “I am proud and humbled to have started this global grass route initiative for Africa and saw it developing into a reality.”

“I feel I brought a little bit of our Aloha Spirit from Hawaii to Africa, becoming an African at heart in this global world”, said Hawaii based founding Chairman Juergen Steinmetz.

African Tourism Board to the World: You have one more day!

“As the founding Chairman of the African Tourism Board, I like to recognize those that had supported me with the idea to form the African Tourism Board from the very beginning. Specifically, I wanted to point out  Carol Weaving from Reed Expo. Without providing our meeting room at the World Travel Market in 2018, and again for our launch at WTM Capetown in 2019,  this organization would not have started.”

The support from our initial members getting active behind the scene and before our launch was essential to get to where we are today. Such support was received

  • Dr. Taleb Rifai (former UNWTO Secretary-General),
  • Professor Geoffrey Lipman (President ICTP),
  • Alain St. Ange (former minister of tourism Seychelles),
  • Hon. Dr. Memunatu Pratt (Minister of Tourism Sierra Leone)
  • Hon. Edmund Bartlett (Minister of Tourism Jamaica),
  • Dr. Walter Mzembi (former Minister of Tourism Zimbabwe),
  • Gayan Anil Kumarsingh (former Minister of Tourism Mauritius)
  • Carol Weaving (Reed Expo),
  • Graham Cooke (World Travel Award),
  • Kameni Lele Francoise (Cameroon),
  • Louis D’Amore (IIPT),
  • Cuthbert Ncube (Kwela Group, South Africa),
  • Doris Woerfel (Southern Cross Experiences (PTY) Ltd, South Africa)
  • Apolinar Tairo, (eTN Tanzania)
  • Dr. Ngwire Mabvuto Percy (Embassy Zambia),
  • Dr. Pstrick Kalifunga (Zambia),  Maimouna Elshafie (Ministry Tourism Sudan) ,
  • Jean Claude Mobali-Banda (Republic of Congo),
  • President Bella, Ghana Tourism Federation (Ghana)
  • Kwakye Donkor  (South Africa, Ghana)
  • Idris Olukoya (News Agency Nigeria),
  • Rosemary Olive Mbon Enie, Salama Heritage (Tanzania),
  • Bea Broda (Travel Video TV, Canada) ,
  • Hermann Man, (Cote d’Ivoire),
  • Limfenyuy Kongnso Cyrille, National Polytechnic University Institute (Cameroon),
  • Gabriella Ribeiro< Tru Marketing (USA),
  • Wayne Johnson (Ecolodge Zaina Lodgem Ghana) 
  • Pascal Viroleau (Vanilla Island Organization, Reunion)
  • Mahmoud Kombo (Minister Tourism Zanzibar)
  • Jamal Boujrad (APEMENTO, Morocco),
  • Gecko’S Incentive and Events (Germany)
  • Yoseph Getnet Teshale Ghion travel and tours (Ethiopia),
  • Tony Smith (iFREE Group, Hong Kong),
  • Ali Rashid (Kenya Revenue Authority),
  • Pia von Waldau, (Inter Media Japan),
  • Kristy Angelotti (South African Tourism USA),
  • Ursula Brown (Cape Info South Africa),
  • Christopher Hill (Hands Up Holidays, New Zealand)
  • Jose Sandoval Zepeda (Orange Gruppo, Mexico),
  • Hans Soltau (Exclusive Africa Tours & Safaris, Namibia)
  • Abel Kimani (Alaitol Sadaris, Tanzania),
  • Gregory DeMelo (Bridgewater State University, USA),
  • Srath Wattegedra (Sunray Travel, Sweden),
  • Don Testa (Trip Ahoy,USA),
  • Joel Manjoko (Ultimate Safaris, Zimbabwe),
  • Rita Cook (The Insider Magazine, USA),
  • Dr. Rolf Herpens (Consulate Seychelles, Germany),
  • Tim Boxer (15 Minute Magazine, USA),
  • Sydney Pierre (LUX Resort, Mauritius),
  • Juan Torrents (FEMOZA, Switzerland),
  • Clive Bishop (Blue Skies Consultancy Group, UK) ,
  • Leo Udtohan (Philippine Daily Inquirer),
  • Nancy Needham (Global Travel & Tourism Partnership GTTP, USA) ,
  • Peter Hargrove (IBR News USA) ,
  • Pathum Wickramarathne (Free Media, Sri Lanka),
  • Shehara Rizly (Durga Das Publications, UAE), 
  • Salvador Alves Dias (News4 Travel, Portugal) ,
  • Manuel Sainz (eBiz Africa Review, Spain) ,
  • Art Fennel, (Fennell Media USA),
  • Ahmed Bassouni Korra (Sawah Tourism News, Egypt),
  • James Nadjope (Justice Tourism Foundation, Uganda) ,
  • Sambo Amadou (Oasis and Dream Resort, Niger),
  • Mercyline Mutarisi (Testimonial Media, Zimbabwe) ,
  • Junisa Precious Gbeteh Sallu Kallon (Juninnho Investments Company Limit, Sierra Leone),
  • Carolyn Anderson (Beyond All Borders, USA),
  • Hashim Mohamed (Kenya Utalii College, Kenya),
  • Craig Rix (Travel Africa Magazine, UK) ,
  • Helen Peek ( Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors, Tanzania) ,
  • Dr. Isa Byona, ( Africa Sustainable Tourism Care Foundation, Uganda),
  • Ariel Azoff (Atlas Obscura, South Africa),
  • Anton Vosloo (Lelobu Safaris, Botswana), 
  • Susanna Hagen (Profi Verlag, Germany)
  • Diana McIntyre-Pike (Countrystyle Community Tourism, Jamaica)
  • David Vequist, (Center for Medical Tourism Research, USA)
  • Tes Proos , (Crystal Events ,South Africa)
  • Sharon Parris-Chambers (Carib News, Jamaica)
  • Joseph Okelo, Global Travel and Tourism Partnership (Kenya)
  • Joey Moscovitch, Mccolline (Madagascar)
  • June Crawford, (Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa)
  • Gregory Bakunzi (Red Rocks Initiatives, Rwanda)
  • The entire global team of eTurboNews
  • International Coalition of Tourism Partner board members

The African Tourism Board is a nonprofit organization with one goal only to bring African Tourism together. More information: www.africantourismboard.com

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The US Iran conflict has African Tourism Leaders on the edge

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The escalating conflict between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran is making travel and tourism leaders in Africa very nervous. Among them is  Alain St.Ange, president of the African Tourism Board.  From his office in Seychelles, he issued an urgent appeal for restraint to US President Donald Trump and Iran President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday. St.Ange shares the concern brought forward Monday by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

Guterres spoke at the United Nations in New York. expressing deep concern over rising global discord and called for “maximum restraint” amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran after the United States killed an Iranian military commander.

The Trump administration is barring Iran’s top diplomat from entering the United States this week to address the United Nations Security Council about the U.S. assassination of Iran’s top military official in Baghdad, violating the terms of a 1947 headquarters agreement requiring Washington to permit foreign officials into the country to conduct U.N. business, according to three diplomatic sources.

The African Tourism Board agreed with the UN Secretary-General repeating: “We are living in dangerous times. Geopolitical tensions are at their highest level this century. And this turbulence is escalating.”

alain
Alain St.Ange, president of African Tourism Board

St.Ange added: “Too many tourism destinations see the recent development as a challenge for their tourism industry as a whole.”

Many regions in Africa where tourism is big business, like the Indian  Ocean, East Africa, West Africa, South Africa for a major part depend on air connection through Doha, Abu Dhabi or Dubai which connects them to major visitors source markets in Europe, India, Asia, South America, North America, and even Australia.

“We can all pray that the situation will not escalate further. Oil prices are already going up. This is the start of trying moments for everyone” said St.Ange the former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine of Seychelles,  now serving as President of the African Tourism Board.

More news from the African Tourism Board on eTurboNews click here 

More information on African Tourism Board including membership can be found at www.africantourismboard.com 

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African Tourism Board urgent appeal to Iran and the United States

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A war between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran will not only send fear to American travelers, traveling for business and tourism but to the global travel and tourism industry as a whole.

Many countries and regions in Africa rely on tourism revenue as the main foreign currency earner. Ministers of Tourism from around the African continent are in disbelieve in the state of the world at this time, and some are nervous. Many heads of State in Africa don’t really know how to react.

Also, UNWTO  Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili has not made any statements, and Gloria Guevara, head of  WTTC  has not reacted.

Iran is an important country for the UNWTO Secretary-General. eTurboNews reported about it a year ago.

Hopefully, UNWTO is working behind the scene by pointing out to Iran and the U.S. about the consequences for the tourism industry in case of a growing conflict between the two nations.

The U.S. President tweeted yesterday he had 52 Iranian targets in site representing also Iranian Cultural sites. This was a threat targeting global heritage, and would not only punish Iran. Global heritage is part of global tourism.

Cuthbert Ncube, Chairman of the African Tourism Board seems to be the first tourism leader with a message to U.S. President Donald Trump and President Hassan Rouhani.

African Tourism Board is now officially in business
Cuthbert Ncube, ATB Chair

Cuthbert said on Sunday:

“At the African Tourism Board (ATB)  we condemn the use of violence perpetrated by either party as violence begets violence, and in most cases, innocent people get caught up on the crossfire.

We therefore encourage and are pleading for a constructive dialogue between the United States and the Iran presidents Donald Trump and Hassan Rouhani.

The tension between the U.S. and Iran will affect Global Peace, and deprive connectivity within the tourism space.  Tourism is the livelihood for more than 10% of the global population and specifically, in Africa it is critical income needed by our people.

If the situation between the two nations is not checked and corrected it will raise mistrust, others will get involved and could spread like a bushfire.

We, therefore condemn in the strongest terms any act of violence. Such violence will most likely lead to retaliation and further escalate into a full-blown war.”

Joining the African Tourism board go to www.africantourismboard.com/join 

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