At the 2nd UN Tourism & ICAO Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa, held July 22–24, 2025 in Luanda, Angola, over 300 international delegates gathered to reinforce coordination between tourism and aviation across the continent. The summit, organized by UN Tourism, ICAO, and the Angolan government, focused on enhancing air connectivity, policy alignment, and sustainable infrastructure development.
Summit Highlights & Official Messaging
- UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili introduced the event declaring, “Tourism and air transport are not just engines of growth, they’re pathways to empowerment, opportunity, and transformation…”
- Angola’s Tourism Minister Daniel Marcio praised the conference as a milestone, saying it “positions Angola as a regional hub for dialogue and action.”
- Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo de Abreu, emphasized the urgency of infrastructure and regulatory reform, stating: “We must build transport systems that are modern, efficient, and accessible…”
- ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano underscored the need for synergy between sectors: “Tourism and aviation must grow hand in hand. Through shared vision and policy coherence…”
Key Commitments from the Luanda Ministerial Statement
The summit concluded with adoption of the Luanda Ministerial Statement, wherein delegates pledged to:
- Modernize tourism and aviation infrastructure through public-private investment.
- Enhance visa policies (simpler, multi-entry, longer validity).
- Facilitate joint destination marketing.
- Empower youth and women through tourism and aviation training and entrepreneurship.
Supporting institutions included UN Tourism, ICAO, IATA, AFRAA, and AFCAC.
Alignment with Continental Frameworks
Delegates reaffirmed the importance of using AfCFTA and SAATM as structural levers to empower seamless mobility and integrated policymaking. SAATM, rooted in the Yamoussoukro Decision, is central to harmonizing intra-African air services and regulation.
Tourism Recovery Trends Signal Momentum
Africa recorded 74 million international arrivals in 2024, representing a 7% increase from 2019, and a 12% rise from 2023. These metrics underscore the critical linkage between tourism demand and aviation access.
Infrastructure, Digital Innovation, and Market Access
Sessions highlighted priority areas:
- The need to adopt digital solutions (AI, seamless platforms) for tourism and flight services.
- Mobilization of investment through public-private partnerships.
- Strategic synergies between AfCFTA trade corridors and aviation infrastructure.
Contributions from AFRAA emphasized the role of airlines and development banks in addressing infrastructure and financing gaps.
What’s Next, Implementation Outlook
- Private-Public Collaboration: Governments must align with investors to deliver on infrastructure goals.
- Policy Harmonization: Ongoing alignment between UN Tourism and ICAO policy avenues is essential.
- Progress Tracking: Tracking of the Luanda Ministerial Statement commitments should follow clear, measurable benchmarks.
- Digital and Route Development: Continued focus on visas, digital tools, and regional connectivity will be critical.
