Africa’s tourism leadership gathered in Seychelles this week with a shared understanding that the continent’s next phase of growth will not be defined by new hotels alone, but by the strength, skills and adaptability of its people.
The opening of the 69th UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) meeting at the Kempinski Seychelles Resort marked a decisive shift in tone for African tourism dialogue – from infrastructure-heavy conversations to a sharper focus on human capital, digital readiness and workforce mobility.
Held just days after Seychelles marked 50 years of independence, the meeting brought together presidents, ministers, UN Tourism leadership and private sector executives at a moment when symbolism and substance aligned. For the island nation, the summit reinforced its role as both a premium tourism destination and a trusted policy convener for the continent.
Leadership at the Highest Level
The opening session reflected the significance attached to CAF 69. President Dr Patrick Herminie led the host delegation, joined by Vice President Sabastien Pillay, Speaker of the National Assembly Azarel Ernesta, and Minister for Tourism and Culture Amanda Bernstein. The gathering also marked the first CAF meeting for UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais, who assumed office earlier this year.
Tourism ministers from across Africa, heads of international delegations and senior industry leaders filled the hall, signalling renewed political commitment to tourism as a strategic development tool rather than a peripheral economic activity.
Tourism as a People-first Economy
In his keynote address, President Herminie grounded the discussion in lived experience rather than abstract metrics.
“For Seychelles, tourism is not a line item in our budget – it is our lifeline,” he told delegates, noting that the sector touches virtually every household across the archipelago.
He argued that Africa’s tourism competitiveness will increasingly depend on how well countries invest in their people – from frontline hospitality workers to managers, creatives and entrepreneurs across the value chain.
Seychelles’ own approach, he explained, has centred on early skills development, hospitality education and positioning tourism as a career of dignity and opportunity for young people. From tourism clubs in schools to professional training pathways, the country has deliberately linked tourism growth to social outcomes.
“We must move beyond celebrating arrival numbers and start measuring how tourism improves lives,” Herminie said, urging African states to share practical solutions and learn from one another.
A Continental Call to Action
UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais reinforced that message with a clear institutional agenda for Africa.
Congratulating Seychelles on its Golden Jubilee, she praised the country’s ability to protect its natural and cultural assets while building a high-value tourism brand. But her focus quickly shifted to the wider continental challenge.
With millions of young Africans unemployed, Al Nuwais stressed that tourism could be one of the continent’s most powerful job-creation engines – if skills development keeps pace with growth.
“Hospitality is not created by buildings. It is created by people,” she said. “Tourism must open doors – especially for young people, women and rural communities.”
She outlined three priorities for UN Tourism’s work in Africa: aligning education with labour market needs, accelerating digital and AI readiness, and repositioning tourism as an aspirational profession rather than a fallback option.
To underline that commitment, she announced new mentorship programmes for African women and expanded scholarships through the UN Tourism Online Academy, targeted at youth and underserved communities.
From Policy to Practice
The remainder of Day One focused on translating high-level vision into operational frameworks.
Elcia Grandcourt, UN Tourism’s Regional Director for Africa, presented continent-wide survey findings on access to tourism education and skills development, highlighting persistent gaps between training institutions and industry demand.
That analysis was followed by a case study from Sherin Francis, Principal Secretary for Tourism in Seychelles, who detailed the country’s Human Resources Development Strategy. Her presentation offered a practical model for tracking workforce data, forecasting skills needs and adapting training systems in real time – an approach that resonated strongly with delegates from both small island states and larger African economies.
A high-level dialogue moderated by Grandcourt brought together policymakers and industry leaders, including Minister Amanda Bernstein, Education Minister David Claude Pierre, Angola’s Tourism Minister Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, and Hilton’s Vice President of Operations Victor Chalfoun. Central to the discussion was the need to integrate tourism skills development into national budgets and to advance mutual recognition of qualifications across borders.
Technology, Sustainability and the Next Generation
Afternoon sessions expanded the lens to include technology, sustainability and private sector engagement.
UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Lisa Singh framed discussions on aligning academic curricula with industry needs, while hotel operators and training institutions debated how to keep education responsive in a rapidly changing market.
Technology providers explored the role of digital platforms, micro-credentials and rapid upskilling in preparing Africa’s workforce for a new generation of travellers who expect seamless service, sustainability and personalised experiences.
The day concluded with focused discussions on investment and financing models, before UN Tourism Executive Director Shijun Liu and PS Sherin Francis summarised key outcomes.
Seychelles as Convenor
Beyond the policy outcomes, CAF 69 has reinforced Seychelles’ growing influence as a meeting point for African tourism dialogue. The seamless organisation of the opening day, combined with the country’s recent Golden Jubilee celebrations, has provided delegates with a live demonstration of how culture, sustainability and tourism strategy can intersect.
As discussions continue over the coming days, one message from the opening session is already clear: Africa’s tourism future will be shaped less by how many visitors arrive, and more by how well the continent prepares its people to serve, innovate and lead in a competitive global industry.
For Africa Meets, CAF 69 in Seychelles represents more than another regional meeting – it marks a recalibration of priorities, placing human
