Africa Tourism Dialogue 2025: Regenerative Tourism, Panacea to Reparative Tourism- Hon. Dr. Pratt

ADDIS ABABA-
As reparative tourism took center stage at AITEC World’s Africa Tourism Dialogue on the 6th November, 2025 in Addis Ababa, Hon. Dr. Memunatu Pratt Called for Regenerative Tourism as a Pathway to Justice, Economic Redress, and Dignity for Africans and People of African Descent

The Africa–International Tourism and Economic Council (AITEC World) successfully hosted the Africa Tourism Dialogue at the iconic United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), in Addis Ababa with a striking theme “Reparative Tourism – Advancing Justice, Economic Redress and Dignity for Africans and People of African Descent.”

Delivering her keynote address, Hon. Dr. Memunatu B. Pratt, former Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Sierra Leone, emphasized the transformative power of tourism in promoting sustainable development, restoring dignity, and fostering global justice for African people and the diaspora Africans.

Dr. Pratt expressed deep appreciation to AITEC World for providing a global platform to discuss tourism as a vehicle for reparations and sustainable growth. She noted that tourism, beyond its economic impact, carries social, cultural, and environmental responsibilities that can drive collective progress if developed and managed inclusively.

“Tourism is a force for peace, development, and social inclusion,” she said. “When approached regeneratively, it not only sustains but restores — empowering local communities, preserving heritage, and enhancing the wellbeing of people and planet alike.”

Highlighting the link between tourism and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr. Pratt explained that tourism directly supports at least eleven of the seventeen SDGs. She urged African governments and private sector players to adopt “Regenerative Tourism” — a model that goes beyond sustainability to rebuild ecosystems, revive cultural heritage, and ensure destinations are left in a better state than before.

“Regenerative tourism is about care and guardianship. It restores, replenishes, and enhances the social, cultural, and economic life of destinations,” she added. “This approach empowers communities and ensures tourism contributes meaningfully to justice, equity, and dignity for all.”

Dr. Pratt underscored several practical steps toward implementing regenerative tourism, including the development of clear policies, partnership with local communities, capacity building, and staff training. She also called for governments, tourism boards, and private enterprises to work collectively to overcome challenges such as limited funding, weak collaboration, and inadequate understanding of restorative practices.

According to her, the adoption of regenerative tourism principles would result in increased ecosystem resilience, stronger local economies, improved cultural preservation, and a better quality of life for host communities.

“The time has come to move from exploitative tourism practices to restorative ones,” she concluded. “Africa must lead this global shift by ensuring tourism becomes a true instrument of reparative justice, cultural pride, and inclusive economic development.”

The AfricaTourism Dialogue marks a major step forward in AITEC World’s mission to integrate tourism into Africa’s broader development agenda. By centering discussions around reparative and regenerative tourism, AITEC World reinforces its commitment to creating a just, sustainable, and prosperous tourism future for Africans and people of African descent worldwide.