By Deng Machol
JUBA, South Sudan (PAV) – South Sudan’s Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism has on Thursday inked a mutual partnership deal with African Tourism in an attempt to boost the country’s tourism sector.
The developmental project deal was by South Sudan’s Minister of Wildlife and the president of the African Tourism Board to nurture the country’s tourism sector, including funding and technical support.
The ceremony was graced by the Vice President of the Economic Cluster, Dr. James Wani Igga, who assured the safety of the tourist [s] who are willing to travel to South Sudan.
He said proper wildlife conservation would boost revenue collection as a result of a vibrant tourism sector.
“We in South Sudan need to involve local communities in promoting the tourism sector. Protecting wildlife is a collective responsibility, especially those in the rural areas,” said Wani.
The Vice President for the economic cluster further said the tourism industry should organize people to effectively participate in the tourism sector and boost interaction between the government and the private sector to promote sustainable tourism development. “This enhances cultural development,” he said.
Despite being an oil-rich and dependent country, South Sudan has other areas of potential like the tourism, mining, and agricultural sectors.
Meanwhile, the minister for Wildlife, Rizik Zakaria Hassan said the deal would help to promote the country’s tourism sector.
According to the Minister, the country is rich in tourism but there is a lack of funds to exploit the sector.
“What we have inked is about promoting tourism, funding, and technical know-how,” said Zakaria.
South Sudan has the world’s largest wetlands and huge animal migration in East Africa, with six national parks and twelve games reserves, which should add value to the sector.
African Tourism Board is a Pan-African tourism organization with a mandate of marketing and promoting the tourism industry in Africa.
Cuthbert Ncube, the President of the African Tourism Board assured of painting a positive image of South Sudan internationally in a bid to attract tourists from around the globe.
“I’m confident that this initiative will be a result of success,” said Ncube.
Last year, the country’s Ministry of Wildlife laid out a critical strategy to invite investors to South Sudan to develop the derailing sector due to civil war.
South Sudan, which gained its independence in 2011 is often blighted by conflict and is also viewed as a territory of war but the country is showing off unique attractions from the intersection of the white and Blue Nile Rivers, including the Sudd swamp and ancient temples and pyramids.
