The three-day meeting of Tourism Experts and the Private Sector on the Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms of ECOTOUR 19-29 concluded with participants from Member States adopting several key resolutions. The private sector was assigned the responsibility of formulating a funding request for ECOTOUR 19-29 activities, identifying and seeking support from Technical and Financial Partners (TFPs), and initiating a partnership agreement with the ECOWAS Commission to implement a robust regional tourism strategy for economic growth.
Member States agreed to provide national classification commissions and structures responsible for resource regulation, as well as organize awareness-raising sessions for industry stakeholders on the new regulations.
The ECOWAS Commission pledged to organize capacity-building sessions for national classification commissions and regulatory structures. It also committed to establishing a harmonized tourism satellite account for member countries, disseminating the new regulations to Member States, and conducting a mid-term evaluation of ECOTOUR 19-29.
These resolutions were part of the Final Communique from the meeting, adopted by regional experts on May 16, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria. The communique was signed by Mrs. Ruth NDAM, Director of Hospitality & Travel Trade at the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, who represented the Chairperson of the meeting.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Anthony Luka ELUMELU, Director of the Private Sector at the ECOWAS Commission, expressed appreciation on behalf of Mrs. Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture. He thanked all participants for their valuable contributions to the success of the meeting and their ongoing efforts in implementing ECOTOUR 19-29.
Dr. ELUMELU reaffirmed that the ECOWAS Commission is committed to fully implementing the meeting’s recommendations with an aim to transform the region into a tourist hub that will enhance regional economy and promote integration across all sectors.
Alerts Sign-up