Importance of Tourism:
Economic Impact: Tourism is seen as a key driver for economic diversification and growth in Africa. It has the potential to significantly stimulate economies.
Employment Opportunities: The tourism sector is labor-intensive, providing numerous jobs globally. In 2019, it accounted for 10.6% of global employment, with 1 in 10 jobs worldwide and 1 in 4 new jobs in the sector. The industry allows for quick entry into the workforce, especially for youth and women.
Multiplier Effect: Tourism has a broad impact, benefiting sectors such as accommodation, food services, agriculture, retail, and transportation. When managed well, it boosts economic diversification, promotes local culture and products, and supports job creation.
Focus on Human Capital: The Ministry of Tourism prioritizes human contributions to the sector’s growth. The sources highlight the need for adequate knowledge and skills to ensure a destination’s competitiveness and the importance of education in optimizing human resources.
Intra-Africa Potential: The potential of intra-Africa tourism is significant, as tapping into just 10% of Africa’s 1.2 billion population for travel could lead to a sustainable recovery for the sector.
Infinite Resource: Unlike finite resources like gold, tourism offers an infinite source of potential for Africa
Summit Objectives
The summit’s objectives include:
- Re-introducing the UN Tourism Education Guidelines as a foundation for building human capacity in Africa’s tourism sector.
- Understanding the human capacity needed to grow tourism services within Africa.
- Creating a platform for educators, employers, and policymakers to collaborate on human resource development.
- Reducing the gap between educators and the tourism industry in Africa.
- Promoting dialogue on job creation within the tourism sector.
- Defining learning and career paths in the industry.
- Analyzing innovative learning and teaching methods.
- Encouraging collaboration among educators.
- Positioning education as a critical component of tourism development.
Expected Outcomes
The summit anticipates the following outcomes:
- Increased understanding of the UN Tourism Education Guidelines.
- Repositioning the role of education in tourism development in Africa.
- Increased understanding of intra-Africa skills development for services under the AfCFTA.
- Establishment of student and faculty exchange programs.
- Increased understanding of available learning and career paths in tourism.
- Establishment of an annual activity that will provide a public recruitment portal.
- Increased participation of employers in addressing human resource development.
- Increased research specific to tourism in African academic institutions.
- Development of partnerships between learning institutions and employers.
Join the Summit
The Travel, Hospitality and Tourism Education Summit is a recurring event organized by the Zambia Institute for Tourism and Hospitality Studies (ZITHS).
