Tourism professional in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), John Katumba is an expert with more than 20 years of experience in the field. He currently holds the position of supervisor of the “Sustainable Development and Tourism” commission at the National Committee of the IX Games of La Francophonie. In an interview granted to CONGOPROFOND.NET, he stresses the importance of the stakes of the Games, which go beyond the event itself.
For John Katumba, it is essential that the organizing country works on sustainable development after the Games, because this event, which brings together 88 French-speaking countries, must bring sustainable economic and social development. It thus highlights the importance of anchoring long-term development.
As supervisor of the “Sustainable Development and Tourism” commission, John Katumba played a key role in the preparations for the Games. It has developed a system focused on sustainable development, including actions such as sanitation, cleaning, tree planting, education in eco-citizenship and the promotion of tourism in sites surrounding Kinshasa.
During the Games, John Katumba and his team also focused on cleanliness, tracking down every visible waste in order to achieve the goal of “Zero visible waste”. This attention to hygiene and cleanliness was greatly appreciated by the participants and reassured the parents present.
However, John Katumba also raises important questions about the future of infrastructure built for the Games. He calls for the establishment of a team of experts responsible for proposing clear solutions to maintain these infrastructures to international standards, in order to prevent them from becoming “white elephants” after the event.
In conclusion, the Francophonie Games in the DRC represent a unique opportunity for sustainable economic and social development for the country. Thanks to the actions put in place by John Katumba and his team, the Games were marked by concerns for sustainable development and tourism, paving the way for a promising future for the Congolese tourism sector