The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) has defined the promotion of the tourism industry and the wider use of information technology as the main tasks to be pursued in the efforts to assist the economic and social development of the continent. If applied together these measures should improve the competitive position of the tourism industry in African countries, enabling them to achieve a larger share of the international tourism market on a long term basis.

The Africa Forum 2003 will focus on the strategies that have already been agreed and their implications for tourism companies in Africa and in other countries. This event is intended in particular to meet the needs of governments in various African countries, of development work and also of co-operation in the private sector. This is also an opportunity to evaluate what has already been achieved and to review the experience that has already been gained. Outline details of future action will also be provided.

The Africa Forum will be taking place during the ITB 2003 from 2 to 4 p.m. on 9 March in Hall 9 of the ICC Berlin. Representatives of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and the European Union have been invited to speak at this event. The discussions will be held in English and French.