What's Hot?
Tems Wins First-ever Grammy, As Burna Boy Loses...
Court Orders Oxlade To Pay ₦5m Indemnity Over...
Artists gearing up for the Harlem fine arts...
International tourist arrivals doubled in 2022: UN
Amoako Boafo’s Launch of Ghana Residency Was a...
Morocco: National Finery Museum Reopens to Critical Aclaim
Five years after, Lagos Inaugurates Randle Centre for...
The future of global music is African
CAA Signs ‘Heroes’ Actor Jimmy Jean-Louis
Philly filmmaker Walé Oyéjidé captures the beauty of...
The Culture Newspaper
  • Home
  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
    • Culture Africana
    • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Music, Movies & More
  • News
    • Travel News
  • Opinion
    • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality
Tourism & Hospitality

Africa’s tourism industry is now the second fastest growing in the world

by The Culture Newspaper December 9, 2019
by The Culture Newspaper December 9, 2019

Some 67 million tourists visited Africa in 2018, representing a rise of 7% from a year earlier, making Africa the second-fastest growing region when it comes to tourism, after Asia Pacific.

African countries are now reaping the benefits from positive policy changes coupled with increased investments in the sector, that have made it a more attractive destination for tourists.

In Ethiopia, for example, relaxing visa restrictions while improving flight connectivity has seen Addis transformed into a regional transport  hub, even overtaking Dubai as the world’s gateway to Africa. This has resulted in Ethiopia becoming Africa’s fastest growing travel country, growing by 48.6% in 2018, according to  Jumia Africa Hospitality report,

Chart from TheAtlas.com

Business visitors numbers in particular have received a boost from business-enabling reforms from some governments that have seen the potential in diversifying the sector. Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa have undertaken initiatives to position themselves as locations for conferences and exhibitions.

Top African countries for Travel & Tourism (WEF Competitiveness Index 2019)
Country Score Score
Mauritius 4.0 4.0
South Africa 4.0 4.0
Seychelles 3.9 3.9
Morocco 3.9 3.9
Namibia 3.7 3.7
Kenya 3.6 3.6
Tunisia 3.6 3.6
Cape Verde 3.6 3.6
Botswana 3.5 3.5
Tanzania 3.4 3.4

Such reforms have sparked investments in hotels, and business expenditures now account for 29% of tourism spending while leisure spending accounts for 71% showing the growth potential of tapping into “bleisure” travelers. This is an emerging group in the tourism market – those primarily traveling for business, but staying on for leisure.

Least restrictive destinations for visitors in Africa 2018 – UNWTO
Country Visa openness score
Mauritius 84.6
Benin 74.9
Rwanda 71.8
Guinea-Bissau 71.5
Togo 71.4
Cape Verde 71.3
Uganda 71.1
Mozambique 70.8
Seychelles 70.6
Mauritania 70.4

In absolute figures, the continent’s share of the global tourism pie remains small. While accounting for 8.5% of GDP and employing 24.3 million people on the continent, only 5% of international tourist arrivals were to African countries. Additionally, in 2018, only 1% of the  $1.7 trillion earnings in the sector were on the continent.

There is room for optimism as there are already quite a few changes and initiatives underway that could see a continued growth in 2020 figures. Such changes include “Year of Return” style campaigns to attract black diaspora from the Americas, the easing of visa restrictions by some countries particularly for Chinese visitors and other Africans, the increased flight connections regionally and globally and the meteoric growth of Airbnb listings on the continent etc.

Jumia is optimistic about the impact of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which came into effect at the end of May. “It will definitely increase intra-regional business, and thus yield huge economic benefits to the continent,” says Estelle Verdier head of Jumia Travel.

Source: qz.com

0
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappEmail
The Culture Newspaper

previous post
ORÒÓWỌLÉ JÀÁNÍÌNI: Tribute to Fagunwa, the master storyteller
next post
South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi Crowned Miss Universe

You may also like

WATO Launches Regional Ecotourism Network, Rallies Key Tourism...

December 13, 2022

Thailand sets US$46.2 billion tourism revenue target for...

October 3, 2022

Destination West Africa Project Berths In Lagos

September 19, 2022

In Anambra, Boston Hotel & Resort Brings Fresh...

September 5, 2022

With World Bank Support, West African Ecotourism Network...

August 29, 2022

Ethiopian Skylight to become the largest hotel in...

August 22, 2022

Ondo, La Campagne Tropicana Plan Araromi Beach Front...

August 16, 2022

La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort Blazes Trail With...

July 13, 2022

At Akwaaba African Travel Market 2022, Medical Tourism...

June 28, 2022

Conference On Tourism, Creative Industry Wasteful Jamboree, Says...

June 20, 2022

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

  • Tems Wins First-ever Grammy, As Burna Boy Loses In Two Categories
  • Court Orders Oxlade To Pay ₦5m Indemnity Over Leaked Sex Tape
  • Artists gearing up for the Harlem fine arts show 15th anniversary
  • International tourist arrivals doubled in 2022: UN
  • Amoako Boafo’s Launch of Ghana Residency Was a Reminder of the Country’s Growing Arts Scene

Sponsored

Recent Posts

  • Tems Wins First-ever Grammy, As Burna Boy Loses In Two Categories

    February 6, 2023
  • Court Orders Oxlade To Pay ₦5m Indemnity Over Leaked Sex Tape

    February 3, 2023
  • Artists gearing up for the Harlem fine arts show 15th anniversary

    February 3, 2023

Categories

  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
  • Culture Africana
  • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Music, Movies & More
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Photo News
  • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Interview
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality
  • Travel News
  • Travel Trends
  • Travelogue
  • What's Hot?
  • World Culture

Connect with us

Connect with us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

@2019 - The Culture Newspaper. All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Zero-One

The Culture Newspaper
  • Home
  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
    • Culture Africana
    • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Music, Movies & More
  • News
    • Travel News
  • Opinion
    • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality