Ethiopia Pushes Tourism as Strategic BRICS Cooperation Area

Addis Ababa, August 23, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia has called for stronger BRICS cooperation in tourism, positioning the sector as a strategic driver of economic growth, sustainable development and people-to-people ties.

At the BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Jaipur, the Ethiopian delegation highlighted the country’s cultural heritage and natural attractions while promoting cooperation in sustainable tourism, digital innovation, artificial intelligence and skills development, according to the Ethiopian Embassy in New Delhi.

 

Ethiopia proposed establishing a BRICS Travel Mart and a Tourism Centre of Excellence to facilitate joint tourism products, investment, research and capacity building.

The delegation also highlighted Ethiopian Airlines’ role in connecting Africa with BRICS partner countries and promoted Addis Ababa as a potential international hub for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).

Ethiopia expressed readiness to translate BRICS tourism cooperation into concrete initiatives, investment opportunities and joint ventures.

The meeting, held under India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship, concluded with the adoption by consensus of the BRICS Tourism Ministers’ Communiqué 2026, known as the Jaipur Declaration.

 

The declaration prioritizes AI and tourism, sustainable and responsible tourism, skills and capacity building, and tourism exchanges and seamless travel facilitation, while encouraging cooperation in investment, infrastructure, destination management, data sharing and best practices.

For Ethiopia, the initiative places tourism at the intersection of BRICS cooperation, economic diplomacy and the country’s broader effort to expand its global tourism and investment profile.