ECOWAS Workshop on Tourism Standards Charts New Path for Regional Growth
Lagos–
In a landmark effort to elevate the tourism sector in West Africa, the Directorate of Private Sector of ECOWAS, under the leadership of Dr. Anthony Elumelu, convened a three-day workshop to discuss standardizing tourism practices in the region, being held at the Continental Hotel, Lagos, from 25th to 27th November 2024, the event brought together private sector stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders from across West Africa to address challenges and opportunities in regional tourism.
A Collaborative Effort to Standardize Tourism
The workshop, organized in collaboration with the Directorate of Industry, aims to create a unified framework to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the West African tourism industry. Experts from diverse fields are delivering presentations on critical topics such as:
Standardizing Tourism Businesses : Addressing inconsistencies in service delivery and infrastructure quality across the region.
Facilitating Free Movement of People : Exploring solutions to ease intra-regional travel and enhance connectivity.
Hospitality Industry Growth: Highlighting the role of standardized practices in improving guest experiences and fostering regional pride.
Visa Regimes and Accessibility: Discussing streamlined visa processes to encourage tourism and investment across borders.
Expected Outcomes
At the conclusion of the workshop, the private sector is expected to present a comprehensive framework for standardizing tourism practices in the ECOWAS region. This framework will undergo validation by ECOWAS to ensure it aligns with the region’s goals of economic integration, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.
Dr. Anthony Elumelu’s Vision
Speaking at the event, Dr. Anthony Elumelu, Director of the ECOWAS Directorate of Private Sector, emphasized the critical role of tourism as a driver of economic growth and regional cohesion. He urged stakeholders to prioritize collaboration and innovation, noting that the tourism sector has immense untapped potential to transform West Africa’s global standing.
Diverse Participation and Expertise
The workshop has drawn participation from nearly all ECOWAS member states, with delegates from government agencies, private enterprises, and academia contributing their expertise.
Presentations from renowned tourism and immigration experts such as Mr. Sheikh Tejan, Mr. David Parrandang among others have so far provided actionable solutions to long-standing challenges, sparking meaningful dialogue from major participants, such as Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, Mr. Dine Bouraima, Vice President of African Tourism Board among others.
About the ECOWAS Workshop
The ECOWAS Workshop on Private Sector Support to the Development of Standards on Tourism is a flagship initiative designed to foster regional cooperation in tourism. The event underscores ECOWAS’s commitment to leveraging tourism as a tool for economic integration and sustainable development in West Africa.
As the workshop progresses, stakeholders remain optimistic about the transformative outcomes it promises. With a focus on standardization, free movement, and regional collaboration, the initiative is poised to set the stage for a more unified and globally competitive West African tourism sector.
Scenes from the workshop:
