The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Hon. Hamat N.K Bah has been unanimously elected as vice president of UNWTO General Assembly, which was held on the 2nd September, 2021at Santa Maria, Sal Island in Cape Verde.
The 64th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa and the 2nd Edition of UNWTO Global Tourism Investment Forum in Africa served as a platform to identify and advance solutions for the swift recovery of tourism, both here and across Africa.
Speaking at the meeting, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili told the gathering that the meeting would send a clear sign that even in challenging times, they continue to move forward. Even though Africa is one of the least affected global regions, he said tourism's momentum has been stalled and because of this, many of the social and economic gains made possible through tourism have been rolled back.
SG Pololikashvili commended all African member states who are making great efforts to get their people vaccinated and to get tourism moving again. "We need to take this spirit of determination and cooperation forward as we rethink and rebuild tourism," he said.
During a sideline meeting, Minister Bah and delegation had a fruitful discussion with the World Bank Resident Representative in Cape Verde, Madam Eneida Fernandes, on The Gambia’s tourism recovery strategy and how World Bank can support The Gambia in its effort to recover from the pandemic.
Minister Bah also had a meeting with the Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mr. Ahmed Bin Aqil Al Khateeb and their meeting was centered on the MOU between the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of The Gambia and the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The MoU is for the two countries to cooperate in the fields of tourism, arts and culture.
The Minister also had a bilateral meeting with the Kenyan Minister of Tourism and Wildlife, Mr. Najib Balala. It was a follow-up of their bilateral meeting in Nairobi. During their meeting, Minister Bah informed Mr. Balala that cabinet was briefed about the Nairobi Action Plan for Africa Tourism Recovery.