Meeting of the ministerial working group on the

Transcript:Meeting of the ministerial working group on the:
Meeting of the ministerial working group on the tourism sector development strategy for Africa. AU AGENDA 2063 13 – 14 MARCH 2014 -- SEYCHELLES The economic contribution of travel & tourism Performance Africa’s share of world arrivals, though still small, is growing. From a small base of just 6.4 million visitors in 1990, Sub-Saharan Africa attracted 30.7 million visitors in 2010. Between 2008 and 2009, tourist arrivals to SSA increased by 4.4 percent while arrivals worldwide dropped by 3.8 percent. Between 2009 and 2010, tourist arrivals to SSA increased by 8 percent; the world average was 6.6 percent. Africa was the only region whose tourism sector grew during the world economic crisis. The sector is expected to keep growing. Sub Saharan AFRICA – State of the tourism industry (past & present) The first ever World Bank Case study on Sub-Saharan Africa tourism comprehensively examine this sector and made some recommendation, so that Africa can compete with the rest of the world. It advises government to make alliances with the private sector, and stake holders at regional, national and local levels. Together they have the power to plan, advance tourism infrastructure, improve transparency and develop business friendly settings for the travel and tourism stakeholders. When well managed, tourism spurs economic transformation, triggers infrastructural growth, accelerate social reforms and empowers minority group throughout Africa. It went on to say that Tourism can be a powerful development path for Africa. In fact, a welcome key finding of new research suggests that with effective planning and development, Africa’s tourism industry could create 3.8 million jobs over the next 10 years. Already, one in every 20 jobs in Africa involves tourism and the travel industry. Sub – Saharan AFRICA – State of the tourism industry (past & present) What have we done and where are we now in tourism development? For some African countries looking to sustain and increase their unprecedented growth rates of recent years, the potential of tourism has not yet been fully recognized as a vital source of economic and development power that can strengthen and expand the continents economies. According to a world bank report of October 2013, Cape Verde, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania are cited as examples of success. The report said these countries had simplified their tourism policies, liberalized air transport and diversified tourism while protecting their communities and environments, which created a positive