IGAD is to launch a ten-year sustainable tourism master plan that aims at unifying fragmented efforts of individual countries in the area of tourism development. The IGAD Tourism Ministers' Meeting was conveyed today in Addis Ababa to endorse the IGAD Sustainable Tourism Master Plan that will be implemented from 2024-2034. Speaking at the occasion, IGAD Secretary General, Workneh Gebeyehu, said tourism in the IGAD region is vital for the economy of the region, which has a significant contribution to GDP through income generation, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. In 2023 alone, IGAD member states welcomed over 10 million international tourists, which is a testament to the international appetite for rich heritage, culture, diverse nature, and history of the region, he added. The region has immense untapped potential in tourism development; however, the absence of clear national policies and inconsistent regulations, information gaps in guiding evidence-driven development strategies, restrictive v isas, inadequate infrastructure, conflict, and climate change continue to pose challenges to the sustainability of tapping the potential of tourism wealth, he explained. In this respect, the IGAD Sustainable Tourism Master Plan is not merely a document; rather, it is a ten-year vision for the future tourism development of the region, the IGAD chief pointed out. 'The IGAD tourism master plan will serve as our guide over the next ten years to realize the objectives, address gaps, and capitalize on our unrealized potential by promoting investment in sustainable tourism infrastructure.' Ethiopia's Tourism Minister Nasise Chali, on her part, reiterated that the IGAD region is a haven for diverse and enigmatic tourism resources ranging from spectacular landscapes to captivating wildlife, from colourful cultures and traditions to magnificent history. However, the benefit and strategic importance of promoting the IGAD region as one destination to the global tourism market is utterly incomparable to and significan tly outweighs the fragmented efforts of each country acting independently, she added. The minister stated that the huge potential for tourism development in the region can be realized through prudent and inclusive policy frameworks that enable member states to fully harness benefits from the tourism sector. The minister pointed out that the 10-year Sustainable Tourism Master Plan (2024-2034) is a stepping stone for IGAD member states, which would help to bring about a quantum leap in the development of the tourism sector collectively, stressing the master plan shall be implemented in alignment and coordination with the national policies of each member state. The minister explained that global realities show that integration and cooperation are not a choice but a necessity for developing countries like the IGAD region. 'Tourism ties are no exception. Thus, undertaking infrastructural developments targeted to ensure seamless connectivity, developing integrated tourism products, implementing joint marketing and promotion activities, enhancing travel facilitation measures to increase mutual tourist flows, and building human and institutional capabilities are some of the vital assignments that IGAD countries should collectively execute,' she underscored. Moreover, Ethiopia considers the 10-year Sustainable Tourism Master Plan as a landmark for IGAD member states that helps to bring about a quantum leap in the development of the tourism sector in the region, she noted, reaffirming Ethiopia's commitment to be a champion of the IGAD Sustainable Tourism Master Plan implementation. 'My government has a firm conviction on the need to build strong partnerships and economic integration among IGAD states, as Ethiopia's diplomacy has always been geared toward strengthening fraternity and brotherhood with other Africans, anchored in mutual benefits, shared ambitions, and common destiny.' Source: Ethiopian News Agency