Nigeria, 69 countries begin preparations for 2027 World Agritourism Day

By Chuks Oyema-Aziken

Nigeria and more than 69 countries have commenced preparations for the 2027 World Agritourism Day (WAD) scheduled for May 16, 2027, with a focus on promoting agritourism as a tool for sustainable development, food security and rural transformation.

The event, being coordinated by the World Agritourism Organisation (WAO) through the UNWAO Advocacy Initiative powered by International Tourist Choice Ltd, will be held under the theme, “Smart Climate Agritourism for Sustainable Development.”

President of WAO, Amb. Arc. Trust Henry Ogboi, announced the commencement of preparations in Abuja, saying the programme would bring together governments, investors, development partners and industry stakeholders from across the world.

Ogboi said the theme underscores the growing importance of agritourism in advancing climate resilience, job creation, tourism development, investment attraction and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to him, countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Zimbabwe have already indicated interest in participating under the proposed Global Public Private Partnership (GPPP) Cooperation Framework.

He noted that the initiative remains open to additional countries, international organisations, development agencies, investors and private-sector partners willing to support the programme.

The organisers identified the institutionalisation of World Agritourism Day on May 16 annually as one of the key priorities for 2027, aimed at creating a recognised global platform for policy dialogue, investment and cooperation.

Another priority is the continued advocacy for the United Nations World Agritourism Organisation (UNWAO) Advocacy Initiative as a global, private-sector-led platform supporting sustainable development objectives.

The programme will also promote the development of World Agritourism Centres that will link agriculture, tourism, trade, innovation, training and rural development.

A proposed World Agritourism Centre in Benue State is being positioned as a major international agritourism destination and a potential headquarters platform for the UNWAO Advocacy Initiative.

The organisers said implementation would be driven through the GPPP Cooperation Framework to encourage collaboration among governments, businesses, investors, development partners and local communities.

WAO and the UNWAO Advocacy Initiative called on governments, diplomatic missions, financial institutions, investors and other stakeholders to support the programme through partnerships, sponsorships and project collaboration, expressing confidence that the 2027 celebration will strengthen global agritourism development and sustainable economic growth.

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