VoyagesAfriq has unveiled a special May 2025 edition of its flagship Tourism Magazine, with a heartfelt and wide-ranging tribute to Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, as he eyes a potential third term at the helm of the world’s leading tourism body.
This collector’s edition dives into Mr Pololikashvili’s far-reaching influence across the global tourism landscape—especially in Africa—highlighting his visionary leadership, dedication to South-South cooperation, and continued commitment to innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in the sector.
A cornerstone feature in the magazine is the advancement of South-South cooperation, especially between Africa and the Americas, through the momentum generated at the 2nd UN Tourism Africa & The Americas Summit. Held under the spirit of the Punta Cana Declaration, the summit focused on key priorities including innovation, investment promotion, technical cooperation, and boosting tourist confidence.
In a major development, UN Tourism also launched its new Regional Office for the Americas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a mission to catalyse green investments, foster youth skills training, and unlock the tourism potential of the region.
Zurab’s African Footprint: A Catalyst for Change
Zurab Pololikashvili’s tenure has been nothing short of transformative for African tourism. Under his leadership, Africa has moved from the periphery to the forefront of global tourism discourse. The special feature titled “Zurab’s African Tourism Footprint” tracks his relentless advocacy for the continent—from advancing tourism investments to empowering local communities through sustainable practices.
“Tourism has long been a force for economic growth and cultural connection. But under Zurab’s leadership, Africa is not just participating in the tourism renaissance – it is helping shape it,” the magazine notes.
This sentiment was echoed by Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), which conferred an honorary doctorate on Mr Pololikashvili in March 2025, recognising his leadership in shaping global sustainable tourism. The honour was presented during a public lecture in Windhoek on Africa’s tourism future.
Another standout story in the issue covers UN Tourism’s visit to Zambia, where Mr Pololikashvili led a high-level delegation to meet President Hakainde Hichilema. The gathering underscored Zambia’s vision to become a key tourism, education, and investment hub on the continent, and was a showcase of diplomatic and developmental collaboration.
Destination Developments Across the Continent
The magazine also reports on several exciting developments across Africa:
• Ghana and South Africa are forging a strategic tourism partnership to enhance connectivity and growth.
• Malawi has introduced groundbreaking legislation to modernise its tourism sector with the launch of a new Tourism Authority and College of Tourism.
• Madagascar has rolled out a new global campaign titled “Madagascar Uncharted: Beyond the Baobabs”, harnessing content creators to spotlight the island’s unique heritage.
• Angola is pushing tourism as its new “green oil” in a diversification drive.
• And Botswana has earned the right to host the 2026 World Athletics Relays—a major boost for sports tourism.
Gastronomy, MICE and investment: Africa’s growth frontiers
The new edition explores Africa’s rising influence in gastronomy tourism, with highlights from the 2nd UN Tourism Gastronomy Forum in Arusha, and a major announcement that Sierra Leone will host the 2026 edition.
In the MICE segment, readers are introduced to Hallpax Marketplace, a digital disruptor helping revolutionise Africa’s meetings and conference industry, while the upcoming Tourism Investment Forum Africa (TIFA) in Richards Bay, South Africa, is set to unlock new investment opportunities in August.
Aviation is another focus, with updates on: The $7.8 billion Abusera International Airport project in Ethiopia, supported by a partnership between Ethiopian Airlines Group and the African Development Bank and Morocco’s Airports 2030 Strategy, which IATA has welcomed as a model for modernising regional aviation.
As VoyagesAfriq celebrates Mr Pololikashvili’s leadership and legacy, the edition makes a strong case for continuity, with calls from African leaders and stakeholders backing him for another term. His inclusive and action-oriented approach, the magazine argues, has positioned him as a “steward of Africa’s tourism renaissance.”
This special edition is a must-read for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and travel professionals. It includes a comprehensive calendar of global tourism events and a Travel and Tourism Blitz column with the latest industry updates.
