The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 17 hinges on Partnerships for the Goals. SDG 17 recognizes that achieving the other 16 Sustainable Development Goals will require the collective effort of governments, civil society organisations, the private sector, and other stakeholders. The aim is to strengthen these partnerships and promote effective collaboration at the local, national, and international levels.
SDG 17 is also linked to SDGs 8 & 9 which involves Decent Work and Economic Growth & Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. One of the key industries whose power can be harnessed to achieve these goals is the Tourism Industry.
Some of the targets include:
i. devising and implementing policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products (by 2030),
ii. developing quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.
Tourism development is not just about creating destinations, but about shaping the world we want to live in.
Collaboration and partnerships between countries can be beneficial in achieving tourism development goals. These are some ways countries can partner with each other:
- Joint Marketing:
Countries can collaborate on marketing their destinations to attract more tourists. This can be done through joint advertising campaigns, social media promotions, and participation in tourism fairs and events. For this reason, the West African Tourism Organization, East Africa Tourism Platform, and Destination Southern Africa have been formed between the tourism boards of countries in West Africa, East Africa and South Africa respectively with the aim of creating a single tourist destination by marketing the region as a whole.
- Cross-Promotion:
Countries can cross-promote each other’s destinations by offering special packages that combine multiple destinations in one itinerary. This can encourage tourists to visit more than one country during their trip.One such African cross-promotion partnership in the past that vividly comes to mind is the Discover East Africa campaign in 2017 which involved the countries of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The campaign promoted a tour package that offered visitors the chance to experience the wildlife, culture, and natural beauty of the three countries. Something similar was replicated in 2018 with the West African Coastal Circuit which involved the countries of Ghana, Benin, and Togo.
- Infrastructure Development:
Countries can partner to develop infrastructure that benefits both destinations, such as improving transportation links, building new airports, or developing tourist attractions. An example of such infrastructural development is The Trans-African Highway. The Trans-African Highway is a network of highways that would link countries across the continent. The project is being developed by the African Union, and it aims to improve transportation links and promote trade and tourism.Some of the highways include: Algiers (Algeria) – Lagos (Nigeria), Dakar (Senegal) – Lagos (Nigeria), Lagos (Nigeria) – Mombasa (Kenya), Dakar (Senegal) – N’djamena (Chad) through Kano. Another example of infrastructural development is the Kazungula Bridge, which connects the countries of Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- Capacity Building:
Countries can partner to develop the skills of their tourism workforce through training programs, internships, and exchange programs. They can also share best practices in tourism development, such as sustainable tourism practices, cultural preservation, and hospitality training. A ground-breaking collaboration between the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) and the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) tagged the “African Tourism Conference” held earlier this month is a step in the right direction. It will help to determine the immediate and future challenges of the tourism industry in both countries and how to maximise profitability.
It is clear that partnerships and collaborations will play a key role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. There is a lot of work involved if we are to achieve these goals by 2030. Therefore, this requires coordinated efforts across all sectors and stakeholders. Various forums to discuss how to leverage each other’s strengths and resources are also highly valued. Doing so will show a commitment towards promoting economic growth and improving the quality of life for people across the continent.