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Tourism Highlighted as Driver of Structural Transformation at Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries

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Instituto Hondureño de Turismo
Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso de Cuba
Irtra
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Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Hosted by UN Tourism, the side event “Tourism: Driving Economic Diversification and Inclusion in LLDCs,” brought together government representatives, UN agencies, and bilateral development actors to explore how sustainable and rural tourism can diversify economies and boost social inclusion across landlocked developing nations.

According to UN Tourism, LLDCs welcomed 50 million international tourism arrivals in 2024, or around 3.5% of the global total. However, their share of international tourism export revenues stood at just 1.4%, pointing to untapped potential and a need for resource mobilization, enhanced value, and policy innovation to grow the average income per arrival, which currently stands at USD 445 in LLDCs compared to USD 1,182 worldwide.

LLDCs welcomed 50 million international tourism arrivals in 2024, or around 3.5% of the global total

In the priority areas of the Awaza Programme of Action (APoA) 2024-2034, tourism plays a significant role for LLDCs, specifically when it comes to structural transformation, private sector development, foreign direct investment, transit, transport, and connectivity. Among the tourism-related targets to be achieved by 2034, the Programme of Action commits to doubling the output of service sectors, including tourism, while fostering cross-sectoral linkages between tourism, agriculture, creative, and cultural sectors.

Accelerating tourism development

The event featured a high-level panel with representatives from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Together, they discussed best practice  policies and initiatives to accelerate sustainable tourism development in LLDCs. The need for expanding infrastructure, community participation, capacity-building for MSMEs, responsible tourism, product development, and deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors was highlighted.

Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director of UN Tourism said: “Landlocked Developing Countries are extremely rich in cultural and natural assets that the world is eager to experience. However, many face important challenges namely in terms of connectivity. Tourism offers a unique opportunity to diversify economies, empower communities, and create sustainable livelihoods, particularly through tourism for rural development. Together, we can make tourism a strategic pillar for resilient and inclusive growth in LLDCs and a key service sector in line with the Awaza Programme of Action.”

The event concluded with a presentation on UN Tourism’s Tourism for Rural Development Programme, which is designed to accelerate tourism as a driver for rural development and community well-being. Under the Programme, Member States and rural communities are supported through initiatives such as the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism, a self-assessment tool to assist rural destinations, and the Small Grants Programme currently piloted in Africa and enabled by Tui Care Foundation.

Key Recommendations

The UN Tourism side event at LLDC3 identified a set of strategic recommendations to advance sustainable tourism as a driver of economic diversification and inclusion in Landlocked Developing Countries:

  • Advance tourism as a key pillar of economic diversification, particularly through rural, nature-based and cultural tourism that promotes employment creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive development.
  • Foster cross-sectoral linkages between tourism, agriculture, creative industries, cultural heritage, and nature conservation to enhance value chains and unlock new income opportunities and market access.
  • Improve infrastructure, transport, and cross-border connectivity to facilitate seamless travel, particularly air travel, strengthen territorial cohesion, and regional integration.
  • Support MSMEs and community-led tourism initiatives through responsible product development, sustainability-focused capacity-building, and inclusive policy frameworks.
  • Establish and expand financing mechanisms, including small grants and public-private partnerships, to empower grassroots actors and scale up sustainable tourism models.
CUN-HAV Enjoy Travel Group
Grupo Hotelero Islazul
Nestle
Agexport
Irtra
Los Portales
INOR
Cubasol
Intecap
Cervecería Centroamericana S.A.
Realidad Turística
Herbalife
Tigo
Walmart
AVA Resorts
blackanddecker
Barceló Solymar
Servicios Médicos Cubanos
Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso de Cuba
Instituto Hondureño de Turismo
MAD-HAV Enjoy Travel Group
Vuelos a Cuba
Hotel Holiday Inn Guatemala
Cubacel
AirEuropa
Revista Colombiana de Turismo Passport
Barcelo Guatemala City
Hotel Barcelo Solymar
Havanatur
Irtra
Intecap
Tigo
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Intecap
MAD-HAV Enjoy Travel Group
Servicios Médicos Cubanos
Walmart
INOR
Cubasol
Grupo Hotelero Islazul
Agexport
Instituto Hondureño de Turismo
Tigo
Herbalife
blackanddecker
Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso de Cuba
AVA Resorts
Irtra
Nestle
Los Portales
Realidad Turística
Cervecería Centroamericana S.A.
Barceló Solymar