UN Tourism and TUI Care Foundation strengthened their ongoing partnership by signing an agreement at the UN Tourism Headquarters in Madrid. The agreement aims to empower artists and artisans, especially women and youth, in rural tourism destinations in Africa. With this new agreement, TUI Care Foundation becomes the first partner to support the pilot phase of UN Tourism's Tourism for Rural Development small grants programme.

Empowering rural artists and artisans

Through this collaboration, the UN Tourism Fund and TUI Care Foundation will launch a "Colorful Crops" call for proposals to empower artists and artisans in rural areas of The Gambia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia , Zambia.

Tourism has the power to transform lives and communities, especially in rural areas. By supporting artists and artisans, we not only preserve cultural heritage, but also create sustainable income opportunities.

The appeal will enable non-profit organizations in these countries to develop innovative initiatives that will benefit the artisan and artist communities by expanding opportunities generating income while protecting intangible cultural heritage and promoting rural tourism.

UN Tourism and TUI Care Foundation are collaborating to promote sustainable development through tourism. In 2023, the two organizations launched a €10 million Tourism for Development Fund to support the sustainable development of destinations in least developed countries (LDCs).

Empowering rural communities through tourism

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the agreement, Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Secretary-General for Tourism, said: “Tourism has the power to change lives and societies, especially in rural areas. By supporting artists and artisans, we not only preserve cultural heritage, but also create sustainable income opportunities. This collaboration with the TUI Care Foundation demonstrates our commitment to inclusive and sustainable tourism for rural development."

Thomas Ellerbeck, Chairman of the TUI Care Foundation, echoed this sentiment, saying: "By supporting artists and artisans, we preserving cultural heritage and promoting economic growth and social well-being in some of the world's most vulnerable tourism destinations. This groundbreaking collaboration with UN Tourism, inspired by our global TUI Colorful Cultures programme, is an important cornerstone of our Foundation's strategy."

Promoting sustainable tourism development in rural communities in Africa

Tourism serves as a lifeline for many rural communities and has the unique ability to create new jobs, promote territorial cohesion and protect natural and cultural resources. It also empowers women and youth.

Rural areas face growing challenges such as depopulation, an aging population, declining income levels and gaps in infrastructure, health care and financial services. Despite significant improvements in recent decades, disparities between urban and rural areas persist. This call for proposals aims to:

• Increase the opportunities for artists and artisans to participate in the tourism economy and increase their income.
• Increase the visibility of artists and artisans in rural tourism destinations.
• Increase the availability of support services for artists and artisans in rural tourism.

Applications are expected to open in September.

Source: visitkenya

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