Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Da’uud Aweys Jama, has highlighted the country’s growing progress in tourism during a meeting of African tourism ministers held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 26th United Nations Tourism General Assembly, which Saudi Arabia is hosting for the first time in the Gulf region.
In his address, Minister Aweys said Somalia’s tourism industry has made notable strides in recent years, signaling a new phase of revival and investment. He reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to contributing to Africa’s shared goal of building a dynamic and sustainable tourism sector focused on environmental conservation, education, and community development.
The Minister noted that enhancing connectivity across Africa is crucial for boosting tourism, calling for easier visa processes, improved flight routes, and stronger people-to-people interaction to unlock the continent’s full tourism potential.
He added that Somalia is open for tourism investment, pointing out that the government has undertaken national research to modernize tourist attractions, strengthen training programs, and improve tourism infrastructure.
“The Federal Government of Somalia is committed to reviving the tourism sector as part of our broader development agenda, creating jobs and opportunities while promoting Somalia’s natural beauty and cultural heritage,” Aweys said.
The 26th UN Tourism General Assembly coincides with the 50th anniversary of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The global meeting brings together tourism leaders to discuss strategies for shaping the future of the tourism industry over the next five decades.