The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a significant step towards boosting tourism in the region by hosting a three-day workshop focused on standardizing tourism practices. The event, held at the Continental Hotel in Lagos from November 25 to 27, 2024, was organized by the Directorate of Private Sector of ECOWAS under the leadership of Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandje TOURE-LITSE, represented by Dr. Tony Luka ELUMELU, Acting Director Private.
The workshop aimed to establish a unified framework to enhance both competitiveness and sustainability within West Africa's tourism industry. It was organized in collaboration with the Directorate of Industry and gathered private sector stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the region.
Key topics addressed during the workshop included standardizing tourism businesses to tackle inconsistencies in service delivery and infrastructure quality; facilitating free movement of people to improve intra-regional travel and connectivity; promoting hospitality industry growth through standardized practices; and discussing visa regimes to streamline processes for encouraging tourism and investment.
Upon conclusion of the workshop, participants from the private sector are expected to present a comprehensive framework for standardizing tourism practices within ECOWAS. This framework will then be validated by ECOWAS to ensure it aligns with regional goals such as economic integration, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.
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