Share

African tourism sector booming - global body

Travel and tourism in Africa grew by 5.6% in 2018 compared to the global average of 3.9% and the broader African economic growth rate of 3.2%, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

This makes Africa the second-fastest growing tourism region. Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing.

According to the WTTC, the growth in Africa is partly explained by North Africa's rebound from security crises as well as the development and implementation of policies that promote travel facilitation.
 
Research by the WTTC shows that in 2018 travel and tourism contributed $194.2bn to the Africa's economy, representing 8.5% of the continent's gross domestic product (GDP). The sector furthermore contributes 6.7% of total employment on the continent.

About 71% of tourism spending across Africa was leisure-driven and 29% business by nature.

Domestic spending accounted for 56% of the tourism economy versus 44% for international.

International tourism spending comprised 9.6% of Africa's total exports, worth $58.5bn.

In 2018 the WTTC hosted its first ever Africa Leaders Forum in Stellenbosch, South Africa, recognising the increasing significance and power of this great region's travel economy.
 
WTTC president Gloria Guevara commends tourism leaders in Africa who are helping to boost connectivity, promote travel facilitation and ensure traveller safety.

"All of these measures make for supreme growth, the kind of growth that we are now witnessing across the continent and that provides millions of good jobs," she said.

In January this year the WTTC released a report which concluded that the future of travel and tourism will be shaped by those companies and destinations which provide unique and meaningful experiences, harness the power of networks, provide a personal service to sustainability-minded consumers, and are led by trustworthy and responsible leadership.

The WTTC forecast last year that the travel and tourism sector would contribute R424.5bn to the overall SA economy - about 3% more than in 2017.

The WTTC recently announced that former US president Barack Obama will be a guest of honour and keynote speaker at its Global Summit in Seville, Spain in April. The theme of the summit this year is "changemakers".

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.03
-0.7%
Rand - Pound
24.01
-0.5%
Rand - Euro
20.54
-0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
-0.0%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.6%
Platinum
900.50
+0.4%
Palladium
1,002.25
+0.1%
Gold
2,209.77
+0.7%
Silver
24.53
-0.5%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,080
+0.6%
All Share
74,278
+0.5%
Resource 10
56,967
+2.4%
Industrial 25
103,572
+0.3%
Financial 15
16,456
-0.4%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders