Items filtered by date: Monday, 12 April 2021

«O Papel do Parlamento na Protecção do Constitucionalismo e do Estado de Direito na África Austral: Perspectivas e Desafios»

 Agenda - Sessão De Desenvolvimento De Capacidades Da Comissão Permanente De Democratização, Governação E Direitos Humanos (DGHR) A Ter Lugar No Dia 13 De Abril De 2021 Das 09h00 Às 16h00

WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA, Sunday 11 April 2021 - The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum's (SADC-PF) Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (TIFI) has called on SADC countries to harmonise systems to reduce, amongst others, cross border trade costs and time spent at borders.

The TIFI Committee, chaired by Hon. Anele Ndebele, from Zimbabwe, met virtually today under the theme: " Enhancing Regional Economic Integration Through Infrastructure Development: A Case Of One Stop Border Post" to discuss ways in which regional economic integration, through infrastructure development - with special focus on one-stop border posts, can be enhanced.

AT THE

VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE HELD UNDER THE THEME ‘‘HARNESSING DOMESTIC TOURISM IN TIMES OF PANDEMICS, A CASE OF THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC. THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS’

Let me begin by thanking Honourable Members for your active participation.  To the Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, I commend you for convening this meeting.  May I also take this opportunity to extend my profound gratitude to our Resource Persons for taking time out of your busy schedules to be with us and share this invaluable information.

Hon Members we have learnt from the presentations that the recovery of the tourism sector in the SADC region is going to take long because of other equally important COVID induced challenges that Governments have to deal with.  Of utmost importance is for us to realise that this recovery will not happen without effort.  It is crucial that we devise new strategies and initiatives to support domestic tourism and reignite tourism in its entirety.  Among other things, there is need for more investments to be made in the tourism sector.  Our duty, therefore, is to ensure that we utilise this information that we have received today to lobby our respective countries for more funding towards the tourism sector.

Let me reiterate the fact this engagement has been very insightful and the information shared will definitely assist Honourable Members in respective countries to make legislative recommendations that can contribute to build sustainable tourism sectors.

Lastly, thank you all for your participation.

I thank you.

Closing Remarks - Standing Committee on FANR

Theme:      Harnessing Domestic Tourism in Times of Pandemics: A Case of the COVID 19 Pandemic: The Role of Parliaments

INTRODUCTION

The world is facing an unprecedented global health, social and economic crisis because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Since its outbreak in December 2019, the Pandemic has continued to take a massive toll on global economies including many African countries.  The outbreak and attendant lockdowns have exerted a tremendous impact on the tourism industry worldwide and African countries have been adversely affected, especially those that are dependent on foreign tourists.  Travel restrictions, quarantines, and closures of transportations led to about 22 per cent decline of international tourist arrivals in 2020 compared to 2019 and possibly 60 to 80 per cent over the entire year^[1]. At present, the global travel and tourism industry is in a fight for survival with an estimated 50 million global jobs at risk due to the pandemic.

The World Economic Outlook projections indicate that the global economy contracted by 4.4 per cent in 2020 and the shock in tourism-dependent economies would be far worse.  Real Gross Domestic Product among African countries dependent on tourism decreased by 12 per cent.  It is further projected that tourism-dependent countries will likely feel the negative impacts of the crisis for much longer than other economies, because contact-intensive services key to the tourism and travel sectors are disproportionately affected by the pandemic and will continue to struggle until people feel safe to travel again.^[2]

Although domestic tourism is driving the recovery of several destinations, this recovery is in most cases only partial, as it is not compensating for the drop in international demand. This supports the proposition that tourism receipts worldwide are not expected to recover to 2019 levels until 2023.

Taking cognisance of the negative impact that the COVID-19 Pandemic is having on the economies of most SADC countries, particularly on the tourism industry which is a major contributor to the GDP of most Southern African counties, it is imperative that measures are put in place or to enhance existing polices and laws in order to sustain the tourism in SADC countries.  Against this background, the Committee will consider the theme “Harnessing Domestic Tourism in Times of Pandemics: A Case of the COVID 19 pandemic: The Role of Parliaments.”

AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING

The aim of the meeting of the Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources is to explore ways that can be employed to boost domestic tourism during the COVID-19 Pandemic and beyond.

The specific objectives are to:

• appreciate challenges that Member states are facing to sustain the tourism industry a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic;
• learn how innovation and digitisation can help to optimize tourism in Member states;
• establish sustainable measures and strategies to boost domestic tourism; and
• make recommendations on how tourism can be sustained in times of pandemics.

METHODOLOGY

This activity will be undertaken virtually on Zoom platform.  The Committee will benefit from expert presentations from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), SADC Secretariat and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Arica (COMESA), who possess great insight on the subject matter based on studies that they have undertaken on the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the global economy, which includes tourism.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

It is expected that the meeting will bring to the fore measures and strategies that can promote domestic tourism in SADC countries.  Arising from these measures, it is envisaged that Hon Members will gain valuable knowledge on how to manage tourism even in the midst of pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic.  This will in turn capacitate Hon Members to make legislative recommendations through the various parliamentary processes in their respective countries.

 Concept Note-FANR Domestic Tourism

^[1] https://www.unwto.org/news/covid-19-international-tourist-numbers-could-fall-60-80-in-2020.

^[2] https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2020/12/impact-of-the-pandemic-on-tourism-behsudi.htm

AT THE

VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE HELD UNDER THE THEME ‘HARNESSING DOMESTIC TOURISM IN TIMES OF PANDEMICS, A CASE OF THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC. THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS’

SALUTATIONS

• Honourable Members of the SADC PF Standing Committee on Food Agriculture and Natural Resources;
• The Secretary General of the SADC PF, Ms Boemo Sekgoma;
• Our Distinguished Resource Persons:
• Our Distinguished Participants;
• Ladies and Gentlemen.

Honourable Members of the SADC PF Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, it is a great honour and privilege for me to welcome you to this meeting.

Hon Members, we are meeting to deliberate on the theme ‘Harnessing Domestic Tourism in Times of Pandemic, A Case of the COVID 19 Pandemic. The Role of Parliaments?’

Hon Members, as you may already be aware, it is now over one year since the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic.  The world has continued to experience many socioeconomic challenges as a result of the pandemic.  The COVID restrictions have brought the global economy and the tourism industry to a standstill. Notably, this pandemic has had a profound impact on the global tourism sector. Travel restrictions, quarantines, and closures of transportations has led to about 22 per cent decline of international tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2020 compared with 2019 and possibly to 60 to 80 per cent for the remainder of 2020.^[1]

Hon Members, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the COVID 19 pandemic could cut about 50 million jobs worldwide in the travel and tourism industry.^[2] It is noteworthy that the tourism industry accounts for close to 10 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product.

The challenges highlighted above are further compounded by the fact that Africa’s tourism source markets such as China, the United States of America and Europe are amongst the most affected countries by the pandemic.  These countries have in place partial and complete lockdowns as well as other travel restrictions.  While some experts postulate that domestic tourism is driving the recovery of several tourist destinations, this is just partially, as it is not compensating for the drop in international demand.

Further projections indicate that in most countries tourism was not likely to return to pre-pandemic levels until about 2023.  This may even be worse for Africa as its tourism and travel sectors are disproportionately affected by the pandemic coupled with other socio-economic challenges that have been precipitated by the pandemic.  It is likely that Africa will take longer to recover than other regions, primarily due to the lack of domestic and intraregional demand.  Tourism may also not be a priority for many African governments, as concerns about other sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture could be more pressing.  As a result, the impact on the tourism sector in Africa is expected to be far reaching and long lasting.  Southern Africa is already feeling the impact, among other countries, Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe have recorded sharp drops in international tourist arrivals.  The UNWTO had indicated that 100 per cent of global destinations continue to have restrictions on travel in place, and 72 per cent have completely closed their borders for international tourism.

Hon Members, it is absolutely very clear to all of us that tourism plays a critical role to our economics.  Tourism contributes significantly to GDP, export earning, employment, human and physical capital investment of SADC countries.  Therefore, tourism has the potential to be a catalyst for recovery across much of the region.

Hon Members, with commitment and dedication, it is possible that tourism can return to pre-pandemic levels.  Diversifying, shifting to more sustainable tourism models and investing in new technologies could help to shape the recovery.  This is an opportunity for respective Member states to focus and support domestic tourism.  In addition, Governments’ policies and interventions will be critical for the recovery of the tourism sector.

The onus, therefore, is for Member countries to begin to re-examine their tourism sectors in the context of the COVID 19 pandemic . It is critical for us to employ innovative ways that can build sustainable and resilient tourism sectors that can endure even in times of crises such as the COVID 19 pandemic.

Hon Members, as already alluded to, many SADC countries thrive on international tourists.  The COVID 19 pandemic has merely validated this fact.  It is also assumed that international tourism will only fully recover after a vaccine is effectively deployed. The current challenge that Members States face is how to sustain operations and preserve jobs until the crisis abates.  At this point, and before the vaccine is fully rolled out, our hope lies in domestic tourism.

Before the outbreak of the pandemic, perhaps a few Member states had taken deliberate measures to boost domestic tourism.  I am also aware that some Members countries have in place measures to mitigate the impact of the crisis on tourism.  However, given the profound impact that the COVID 19 pandemic has had on tourism in the SADC region, it is imperative that urgent action is taken to minimise the economic impacts. 

The onus, therefore, is for SADC countries to begin to rethink tourism and focus on increasing promotion of domestic and intra-African tourism and travel.  This will serve as a catalyst for triggering recovery and stimulating growth in the industry.

The role of Parliamentarians in this matter is critical, as this requires that that policies and legislative measures that can boost domestic tourism are in place.  It is also critical that Parliaments lobby for more budgetary allocation towards the tourism sector to accelerate recovery.

Hon Members, we are privileged today, to have experts in our midst and I have no doubt that at the end of this meeting, we will be equipped with information that will assist us come up with recommendations that can contribute to building resilient tourism sectors.

It is now my honour and privilege to declare the meeting of the Standing Committee on Food Agriculture and Natural Resources officially open.

I thank you.

^[1] UNWTO (2020a), World Tourism Barometer, vol. 18, No. 2, May

^[2] WTTC (2020), Latest research from WTTC shows a 50% increase in jobs at risk in Travel & Tourism, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Available at: https://www.wttc.org/about/media-centre/press-releases/press-releases/2020

Date:          Monday, 12^th April, 2021

Time:         09:30 – 12:30 hours

14:00 - 16:00 hours

Venue:       Virtual Meeting

1) Credentials of Delegates and Apologies

2) Adoption of the Agenda

3) Welcome Remarks by the Chairperson

4) Consideration of the Minutes and Matters arising from the Minutes of the FANR Standing Committee virtual meeting held on Wednesday, 11^th November, 2020

5) Consideration of the Concept Note for the proposed theme for the Standing Committee on FANR ‘Harnessing Domestic Tourism During Pandemics: A Case of the COVID 19 Pandemic. The Role of Parliaments’

6) Any Other Business

ANNOTATED AGENDA

ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATIONADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

Members are invited to consider and adopt the draft Agenda presented to the Committee.

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE FANR STANDING COMMITTEE VIRTUAL MEETING HELD ON 11 NOVEMBER, 2021

Members may recall that at the last virtual meeting held on 11 November, 2020, the Committee considered and made recommendations as outlined below.

THE IMPACT OF AFRICAN MIGRATORY LOCUST ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Among other recommendations, the Committee urged SADC Member States to work closely with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO-UN), Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, International Red Locust Control Organisation for Central and Southern Africa (IRLCO-CSA0 and other institutions to strengthen the existing linkages to ensure effective and timely collective action in managing the AML and other pests that threatened the food security of Southern Africa.  The Committee further recommended that Member Parliaments should advocate and lobby respective Governments to adequately fund and build the capacity of institutions mandated to deal with the control of the of the African Migratory Locusts.

In addition, the Committee had urged Member States to adopt integrated pest management systems in managing the locusts in order to effectively control the further spread of the pests. With regard the adverse environmental effects, the Committee recommended that Member States should periodically carry out environmental impact assessments in order to ascertain the environmental damage that may occur as a result of the use of the chemical pesticides in pest control of the African Migratory Locust.

 CONSIDERATION OF THE CONCEPT NOTE FOR THE PROPOSED THEME FOR THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON FANR

The Committee is invited to consider and approve the proposed theme namely: ‘Harnessing Domestic Tourism During Pandemics: A Case of the COVID 19 Pandemic. The Role of Parliaments’

In order to gain insight on the subject matter, the Committee will receive presentations from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and Southern African Development Community.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Annotated Agenda - Standing Committee on FANR