Page 372 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025 (Part 1)

10/29/25, 1:51 PM UAE–Africa Tourism Investment Summit highlights tourism’s role as key driver of economic transformation - Aletihad News Center
Moreover, the session discussed the importance of developing vocational training and upskilling programs to meet

the growing demand for quality hospitality services, as well as enhancing the enabling infrastructure, such as

transportation, energy and digital services. The aim is to ensure the integration of the tourism experience from arrival
to accommodation.

The panel featured Duncan O’Rourke, Chief Executive Officer, MEA APAC, PM&E, Accor Hotels; Khalid Anib, CEO of

Abu Dhabi National Hotels; Adrian Messerli, President of Hotel Operations, EMEA at Four Seasons; and Neal Jones,

Chief Operating Officer – Europe and Africa, EMEA OPR, Global Leader – Design Hotels, Marriott International.

The sessions concluded with a ministerial panel titled “Scaling Stories: How African Nations Are Redefining Tourism

for Growth.” Tourism ministers from various African countries discussed plans and strategies to diversify visitor
experiences and open new destinations for investment.

The session featured Amadou BA, Minister of Culture, Handicrafts and Tourism of Senegal; John L. Ololtuaa, CBS

Principal Secretary, State Department for Tourism, Republic of Kenya; Dr José Luís Sá Nogueira, Minister of Tourism

& Transport, Republic of Cabo Verde; and Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

The ministers underscored that Africa is reshaping the global tourism landscape through flexible policies, investment

incentives and regional cooperation programmes that strengthen its competitiveness as a worldwide destination for
sustainable tourism.

The panellists concluded by emphasising the importance of reintroducing Africa as a tourism brand through digital
promotional campaigns across the continent, and of improving data and analytical insights to measure tourist flows,

satisfaction indicators, and the sector’s socio-economic impact, enabling more effective policy-making to drive

sustainable tourism growth.

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