Strong Growth for Tourism in Africa

For the past three years, international tourism has been booming. According to the World Tourism Organization, the number of international tourist arrivals in 2005 is estimated at over 800 million, a 5.5% increase following the 10% surge registered the preceding year. This despite wars, terror, oil price hikes and natural disasters. Global markets have shown great resilience and consumers have become better at weighing their options by delaying or diverting their travel rather than abandoning it.

Africa has been one of the strongest growth markets, with most destinations showing consistently above average increases in arrivals and receipts. Between 2000 and 2005, international tourist arrivals to Africa increased from 28 million to 40 million - an average growth of 5.6% a year, compared to a worldwide average of 3.1% a year. In the same period Africa's International tourism receipts doubled from US$ 10.5 billion to US$ 21.3 billion.

Speaking at the inauguration of the recent Tourism Africa Exhibition, UNWTO Secretary General Francesco Frangialli said, "This surge in African tourism clearly shows the great potential of our sector of the economy to help trade and development in the region and in so doing to make an important contribution to the Millennium Development Goals aimed at reducing poverty systemically by 2015 - particularly in Africa."

"Africa can have substantial comparative advantage with its wildlife, nature, heritage and climate. An advantage which could, if nurtured, allow the world's poorest countries to compete in this dynamic export sector. We must link poverty reduction strategies with programs to strengthen access, infrastructure, info-technology, security, sustainability and quality systems" he added.

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