Initialed by Morocco’s Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, and UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, this initiative is aimed at fostering innovation and investment across the continent’s tourism sector.

The thematic office will focus on driving transformative activities in African tourism, including capacity-building initiatives, workshops, conferences, and forums centered on innovation. It will also host start-up competitions to encourage entrepreneurial ventures in tourism across the continent.

The choice of Morocco to host Africa’s first UN tourism thematic office reflects the Kingdom’s continental leadership in tourism development, Ammor said at the signing ceremony, emphasizing that the office aligns with the Royal Vision of HM King Mohammed VI to foster collaborative African action and advance the UNWTO’s 2030 agenda for Africa.

For his part, Pololikashvili praised Morocco’s commitment to establishing the office, describing it as a critical step in strengthening the socio-economic development of African tourist destinations. “This office will ensure decentralized, effective communication and coordination with partners, while bolstering the actions of UNWTO for the benefit of Africa’s tourism sector,” he said.

The launch of this office represents a milestone in the strategic partnership between Morocco and the UNWTO, creating new opportunities for collaboration among African states and positioning tourism as a cornerstone of sustainable development on the continent.