® SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PREAMBLE WE, the Heads of State or Government of: The Republic of Angola The Republic of Botswana The Democratic Republic of Congo The Kingdom of Lesotho The Republic of Malawi The Republic of Mauritius The Republic of Mozambique The Republic of Namibia The Republic of Seychelles The Republic of South Africa The Kingdom of Swaziland The United Republic of Tanzania The Republic of Zambia The Republic of Zimbabwe IN PURSUANCE of Article 22 of the SADC Treaty which provides for Member States to conclude Protocols which may be necessary in agreed areas of co-operation to spell out the objectives and scope of, and institutional mechanisms for, such co-operation and integration; AWARE of the global significance of tourism as the world's largest and fastest growing industry, which on account of its socio-cultural and economic dynamics also forms an excellent instrument for promoting economic development, understanding, goodwill and close relations between peoples; CONSCIOUS that Africa's share of world tourism receipts and SADC countries' share of the global takings stands at a very low level; MINDFUL of the Region's rich tourism potential which offers an array of natural features and a number of sites containing natural wonders of the world; added to all these being the diversity of history and cultural lifestyles of the people of the Region; DEEPLY CONCERNED that most of this potential remains underdeveloped and, therefore, not contributing to the economic well being of the people of the Region as it should; CONVINCED that the realisation of the full potential can only be achieved through the collective and concerted action of all SADC Member States by evolving clearly defined policies and strategies for the development and promotion of the tourism industry region-wide; 2