KINSHASA, DRC – August 26, 2025 – The ongoing #DRCTravelMeet 2025 in Kinshasa has become a powerful platform for redefining the future of African tourism. A central theme emerging from the conference is the critical need for cross-border strategies to build a sector that is both sustainable and resilient.
The call for a unified regional approach was strongly emphasized during a key discussion on “Sustainable and Resilient Tourism: Challenges and Best Practices.” A speaker at the session framed sustainability as a sacred duty, stating, “Sustainability means managing our natural and cultural heritage not as resources to consume, but as treasures to pass on, intact and enriched to the next generation.”
The address further defined resilience as “building the capacity of our sector to absorb shocks, whether from climate change, pandemics, or shifts in global markets without losing momentum.”
The speaker then pivoted to a fundamental truth of the industry: “Tourists don’t think in borders, they think in journeys.” This observation underscores the necessity for harmonized policies across regions. The forests, wildlife, and cultures that attract visitors flow seamlessly across frontiers, making isolated national strategies insufficient.
The conference is advocating for concrete collaborative actions, including:
· Harmonized Visa Regimes: Simplifying entry processes for multi-country itineraries.
· Cross-Border Tourism Circuits: Developing integrated travel routes that showcase shared natural and cultural treasures.
· Joint Marketing Campaigns: Promoting the region as a single, diverse destination on the global stage.
The argument presented was clear: promoting destinations without protecting their assets is a losing strategy, just as restricting access instead of facilitating travel stifles growth. The true path to success lies in making sustainability and resilience work hand-in-hand.
The discussion concluded with a powerful vision for the sector:
· “Promotion fills the seats but sustainability fills the future.”
· “Immigration gets the visitor in but resilience ensures they return.”
· Every visa stamped should directly contribute to protecting livelihoods, celebrating cultures, and preserving ecosystems.
The #DRCTravelMeet 2025 continues in Kinshasa until August 27, with delegates expected to forge new partnerships to turn these principles into actionable collaboration across East Africa and beyond.
