Nigeria and over 69 other countries are set to participate in preparations for the 2027 World Agritourism Day, scheduled for May 16, 2027, as stakeholders seek to harness agritourism to drive sustainable development, strengthen food security and stimulate transformation in rural communities.
The World Agritourism Organisation (WAO), through the UNWAO Advocacy Initiative powered by International Tourist Choice Ltd, is coordinating the global event, which will be organised around the theme, “Smart Climate Agritourism for Sustainable Development.”
President of WAO, Amb. Arc. Trust Henry Ogboi, disclosed the commencement of activities in Abuja, stating that the initiative would provide a platform for governments, investors, development partners and players in the agritourism sector to collaborate internationally.
Ogboi explained that the choice of the theme reflects the increasing role of agritourism in building climate resilience while creating employment opportunities, expanding tourism, attracting investment and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He said Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Zimbabwe were among the countries that had expressed interest in joining the programme through the proposed Global Public Private Partnership (GPPP) Cooperation Framework.
According to him, participation is not limited to the countries that have already shown interest, as the initiative is also seeking the involvement of more nations, international organisations, development agencies, investors and private-sector stakeholders.
One of the major objectives for the 2027 programme is to secure the institutionalisation of World Agritourism Day as an annual observance on May 16, providing a permanent international platform for policy discussions, investment opportunities and cooperation.
The organisers also plan to intensify support for the United Nations World Agritourism Organisation (UNWAO) Advocacy Initiative, describing it as a global platform led by the private sector to advance sustainable development goals through agritourism.
Plans for the celebration further include the promotion of World Agritourism Centres designed to integrate agriculture and tourism with trade, innovation, skills development and rural advancement.
In Benue State, a proposed World Agritourism Centre is being developed as a prospective international destination for agritourism, with the facility also being considered as a possible headquarters platform for the UNWAO Advocacy Initiative.
According to the organisers, the GPPP Cooperation Framework will provide the mechanism for executing the initiative by fostering joint efforts among governments, private enterprises, investors, development organisations and communities.
WAO and the UNWAO Advocacy Initiative urged governments, diplomatic missions, financial institutions, investors and other relevant stakeholders to contribute to the programme through partnerships, sponsorship and project-based collaboration, saying the 2027 observance is expected to advance international agritourism and contribute to broader sustainable economic development.
