According to UN Tourism, LLDCs hosted 50 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, and this is equivalent to 3.5% of the global total arrivals. The nations received just 1.4% of international tourism export revenues, yet indicate the potential that has not yet been utilized in their tourism sector. With the $445 average income per tourist in LLDCs, much less than the $1,182 global average, there is an obvious scope for expansion using policies that target tourism and mobilizing resources.
Tourism’s Role in the Awaza Programme of Action (APoA) 2024-2034
The Awaza Programme of Action (APoA) 2024-2034 places tourism as a key component for structural transformation in LLDCs. The Programme aims to double the output of service sectors, including tourism, by 2034, while promoting cross-sectoral linkages between tourism, agriculture, cultural heritage, and nature conservation. This will help enhance value chains and create new income opportunities for local communities.
In particular, tourism is recognized as a key pillar for private sector development, foreign direct investment, transit connectivity, and overall regional integration. Through sustainable tourism practices, LLDCs can leverage their cultural and natural assets to improve the livelihoods of their populations while attracting new visitors.
Panel Discussion Highlights Best Practices for LLDC Tourism Development
A high-level panel at the LLDC3 conference in Turkmenistan featured representatives from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, as well as officials from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The panelists shared best practices for accelerating sustainable tourism development in LLDCs, emphasizing the importance of expanding infrastructure, promoting community participation, and improving capacity-building for MSMEs in tourism and hospitality sectors.
In particular, the panel stressed the need for responsible tourism practices, product development, and deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors to foster inclusive development. The discussion also touched on the importance of increasing cross-border connectivity, particularly air travel, to improve access to tourism destinations in LLDCs.
UN Tourism’s Support for Rural Communities and Cultural Heritage
During the conference, Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director of UN Tourism, emphasized that LLDCs are rich in cultural and natural assets that are highly attractive to tourists. “Landlocked Developing Countries are extremely rich in cultural and natural assets that the world is eager to experience,” she said. “Tourism offers a unique opportunity to diversify economies, empower communities, and create sustainable livelihoods, particularly through tourism for rural development.”
UN Tourism’s Tourism for Rural Development Programme was introduced as an initiative designed to support rural communities in LLDCs. This programme provides tools like the Best Tourism Villages program, which helps rural destinations improve their tourism infrastructure and offerings. The Small Grants Programme, which is currently piloted in Africa, also aims to support grassroots initiatives in rural areas and has been enabled by the Tui Care Foundation.
Strategic Recommendations for Advancing Sustainable Tourism
The side event at LLDC3 concluded with several strategic recommendations to advance sustainable tourism in landlocked developing countries:
- Promote tourism as a key pillar of economic diversification, especially through rural, nature-based, and cultural tourism that creates jobs and supports inclusive development.
- Foster cross-sectoral linkages between tourism, agriculture, creative industries, cultural heritage, and nature conservation to enhance value chains and unlock new income and market opportunities.
- Improve infrastructure and transportation to enhance regional integration and connectivity, particularly air travel.
- Support MSMEs and community-led tourism initiatives through responsible product development, sustainability-focused capacity-building, and inclusive policies.
- Expand financing mechanisms, such as small grants and public-private partnerships, to empower local actors and scale up sustainable tourism models.
A Vision for the Future: Sustainable Tourism in LLDCs
As tourism continues to evolve as a key industry for economic growth and social inclusion in LLDCs, the insights from LLDC3 offer a roadmap for sustainable tourism development across these nations. By integrating cultural heritage, environmental sustainability, and local community engagement, LLDCs can unlock their tourism potential while ensuring long-term economic prosperity.
The Awaza Programme of Action and UN Tourism’s initiatives provide a solid foundation for these countries to build a more resilient and inclusive tourism industry. With continued collaboration between governments, international organizations, and the private sector, LLDCs can position themselves as competitive, sustainable tourism destinations, boosting both local economies and the global tourism industry.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for Tourism in Landlocked Countries
The LLDC3 discussions in Azerbaijan have put tourism at the center of the economic transformation of landlocked countries. With effective sustainable tourism practice and cross-sectoral cooperation, LLDCs are able to break their own challenges and leverage their enormous untapped tourism potential. With ongoing efforts toward upgrading infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and attracting foreign tourists, the LLDCs will make tourism a central pillar of their future development and cultural integration.
Tags: LLDC Tourism Development, UN Tourism, Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
