Saturday, August 31, 2024 Africa’s tourism sector is on the brink of a significant resurgence, driven by strategic investments and policies that leverage the continent’s unique appeal. According to the UN World Tourism Organization, the tourism industry across Africa is showing strong recovery post-pandemic, with international arrivals reaching 84% of pre-pandemic levels between January and July 2023. Notably, Africa has been a standout performer, achieving 96% of its pre-pandemic visitor volume.
Among the sub-regions, North Africa has outpaced others, with tourist arrivals surpassing 2019 levels by 8% during the same period. Specific countries like Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Morocco have shown remarkable growth, with arrivals increasing by 28%, 19%, and 15% respectively, compared to pre-pandemic figures. Africa’s tourism appeal has never been stronger.
In 2019, travel and tourism contributed over $186 billion to Africa’s economy, as reported by the World Travel & Tourism Council. The potential for further growth is immense, with projections indicating that the sector could generate an additional $168 billion over the next decade, provided the right policies are in place. The pandemic has also shifted traveler preferences, with a growing demand for domestic or regional travel and for nature-based, less crowded destinations.
This trend has fueled a 20% increase in hotel room supply across Africa since 2020, bringing the total to 92,134 rooms, according to the recent Chain.