Less than one week to go for the second edition of Skift Global Forum East and annual Dubai Tourism Summit

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: — The countdown is on to the second edition of Skift Global Forum East (SGFE). The leading travel conference of Skift, and the annual Dubai Tourism Summit organized by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), will be held at Atlantis the Royal from 12-14 December 2023. The three-part event will also feature DET’s bi-annual ‘City Briefing’ for industry stakeholders.

The Skift Global Forum East, the MENA extension of the renowned Skift Global Forum, promises to deliver incisive and inspiring insights into the future of the travel industry, exploring key innovations in marketing, strategy, and technology. The Dubai Tourism Summit, the world-class thought leadership program launched by DET during the inaugural Skift Global Forum East last year, is a networking platform for industry stakeholders to share their ideas, strategies, and best practices. The ‘City Briefing’ event brings together DET’s stakeholders and partners from across the aviation, travel, hospitality, and retail sectors to discuss the latest developments and future outlook for the industry.

Skift Global Forum East 2023 is set to attract an influential assembly of travel and tourism leaders, including CEOs, change makers, thought leaders and innovators from renowned influencers in global travel including Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Airports, Google, Global Hotel Alliance, Accor, Emirates, Emaar Hospitality Group and more.

Key discussion topics will include the future of travel, air capacity challenges, the post-pandemic Chinese travelers, filmmaking to market destinations and how AI is shaping the future of travel, with a particular focus on the dynamic Middle East region. The Forum will also enable pertinent conversations around global consumer shifts, how destinations can build capacity and expand hospitality, the future of demographics, sustainability, and macroeconomic trends impacting the industry.

The forum kicks off with an opening night reception on 12 December 2023 at Cloud 22, Atlantis the Royal, providing attendees with an evening of networking and hospitality, allowing them to connect with like-minded industry leaders.

Source: Zawya

Global tourism is set to end 2023 with a bang.

International tourism is on track to recover to almost 90% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said.

According to the latest data from the UNWTO, an estimated 975 million tourists travelled internationally between January and September 2023, an increase of 38% on the same months in 2022.

The newest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer also shows:

World destinations welcomed 22% more international tourists in the third quarter of 2023 compared with the same period last year, reflecting a strong Northern hemisphere summer season.

International tourist arrivals hit 91% of pre-pandemic levels in the third quarter, reaching 92% in July, the best month so far since the start of pandemic.

Overall, tourism recovered to 87% of pre-pandemic levels in January-September 2023. That puts the sector on course to recover almost 90% by the end of the year.

International tourism receipts could reach US$1.4 trillion in 2023, about 93% of the US$1.5 trillion earned by destinations in 2019.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The latest UNWTO data shows that international tourism has almost completely recovered from the unprecedented crisis of COVID-19, with many destinations reaching or even exceeding pre-pandemic arrivals and receipts. This is critical for destinations, businesses, and communities where the sector is a major lifeline.”

The Middle East, Europe, and Africa lead recovery

The Middle East continues to lead the recovery by regions in relative terms, with arrivals 20% above pre-pandemic levels in the nine months through September 2023. The Middle East remains the only world region to surpass 2019 levels in this period. Visa facilitation measures, the development of new destinations, investments in new tourism-related projects and the hosting of large events, help underpin this remarkable performance.

Europe, the world’s largest destination region, welcomed 550 million international tourists over the period, 56% of the global total. That represents 94% of pre-pandemic levels. The rebound was supported by robust intra-regional demand as well as strong demand from the US.

Africa recovered 92% of pre-pandemic visitors in this nine-month period, and arrivals in the Americas reached 88% of 2019 numbers over this period, as the region benefited from strong US demand to Caribbean destinations.

Asia and the Pacific reached 62% of pre-pandemic levels over this period due to slower reopening to international travel. However, performance among subregions is mixed, with South Asia recovering 95% of pre-pandemic levels but North-East Asia only about 50%.

Tourism spending is strong.

Strong demand for outbound travel was reported by several large source markets in this period, with many exceeding 2019 levels. Germany and the US spent 13% and 11% more respectively on outbound travel than in the same nine months of 2019, while Italy spent 16% more through August.

The sustained recovery is also reflected in the performance of industry indicators. Drawing on data from IATA, the UNWTO Tourism Recovery Tracker details a strong recovery in air passenger numbers and tourist accommodation occupancy levels.

Against this backdrop, international tourism is well on track to fully recover pre-pandemic levels in 2024 despite economic challenges such as high inflation and weaker global output, as well as important geopolitical tensions and conflicts.

Source: Tourism update

Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Morocco ranked Africa’s top tourism performers 2023.

The end of a civil war in Ethiopia, Tanzania’s president featuring in a historical tourism documentary and rising infrastructure and marketing investments in Morocco have bolstered the three countries’ tourism rankings on the continent, according to a new report.

The three countries were ranked as Africa’s top tourism performers in 2023 after exceeding their pre-pandemic arrival numbers by the highest margins.

“Africa recovered 92% of pre-crisis arrivals (in) this seven-month period, with Ethiopia, Tanzania and Morocco by far exceeding their respective pre-pandemic levels in January-July 2023,” according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Barometer.

The Barometer ranked Ethiopia as the top African Tourism performer, having exceeded its pre-pandemic visitor numbers by 28% a year after ending its civil war in the Tigray region, following a peace deal.

In June Ethiopia’s Tourism ministry announced that more than 770,000 tourists visited Ethiopia nine months after a peace agreement was signed in Pretoria to end the two-year war in the northern part of the country.

“The number of international and national tourist inflows has been increasing every quarter in this year on completion of major tourism attraction projects and work to promote Ethiopian tourism destinations worldwide,” said Ethiopia’s Minister of Tourism, Ambassador Nasise Chali.

The Ethiopian National Museum has been listed by the ministry as among the places that have experienced a high tourist flow which was also bolstered by domestic tourists. More than 8.9 million citizens have visited tourist attractions in the quarter of the year, according to the ministry.

In yet another indicator of Ethiopia’s rise to the top of the African tourism league, Ethiopian Airlines made a triumphant return to the top of the African aviation scene in October.

The largest airline in Africa reclaimed the prestigious title of ‘Africa’s Leading Airline’ at the 2023 World Travel Awards for Africa and the Indian Ocean regions at an event held in Dubai.

Ethiopian Airlines held the title for three consecutive years from 2018 before losing it to Kenya Airways in 2021.

Tanzania came second in the rankings after surpassing pre-pandemic arrival numbers by 19% on the back of increased tourism investments, including a government-produced documentary – ‘The Royal Tour’ – featuring President Samia Suluhu.

Tanzania’s National Bureau of Statistics affirmed the rise in arrival numbers with data for the period between January and August showing international visitor numbers increased by 25.7% to 1,131,286 compared to a similar period in 2022.

During the eight-month period, the majority of arrivals came from the United States of America with 84,541 visitors, followed by France (72,009), Germany (57,798), United Kingdom (51,505) and Italy (51,056).

The majority of African arrivals came from Kenya with 128,753, followed by Burundi (69,505), Zambia (38,394), Rwanda (37,269) and Uganda (28,594).

Tanzania’s role in tourism growth was recognized this October by UNWTO when the country was made a member of the organization’s council responsible for developing global tourism strategies and plans, as well as the UNWTO’s vice-chair.

Morocco was ranked third best performer, exceeding its pre-pandemic arrival numbers by 15% over the review period.

According to the tourism observatory, Morocco’s tourism sector saw a 92% increase in tourist arrivals during the first half of 2023, surpassing figures from the previous year.

Approximately 6.5 million tourists visited the country, with France and Spain leading the way with 75% and 180% increases respectively. The UK, Italy, and the US also contributed significantly to the surge.

In early March, the Moroccan Government announced plans to spend US$580 million until 2026 on marketing, developing new tourist attractions, upgrading existing hotels, building new ones, and training more people to work in the tourism sector.

The country aims to attract 17.5 million tourists by 2026, which is an increase from 11 million last year and more than 13 million visitors the country had before the pandemic.

The higher performance of these three countries made Africa among the world’s fastest recovering tourism markets, with UNWTO Barometer data recording its recovery to pre-crisis visitor levels as higher than the Americas (87%), or Asia and the Pacific (61%).

The Middle East led the recovery by region, with levels currently 20% above pre-pandemic levels, followed by Europe, which reached 94% of pre-pandemic levels.

“International tourism is well on track to fully recover pre-pandemic levels in 2024 despite economic challenges and uncertainty derived from certain geopolitical tensions and conflicts,” according to the UNWTO tourism Barometer.

According to the UNWTO Tourism Recovery Tracker, international air capacity and passenger demand have recovered to about 84% of pre-pandemic levels as of June 2023.

Additionally, hotel bookings have doubled in the period of January to August 2023 compared to the same period last year. In August 2023, global occupancy rates in accommodation establishments reached 70%, slightly higher than the 66% rate in August 2022.

Source: Independent

Dubai’s Burj Al Arab hosts 2023 World Travel Awards winners

The World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2023 revealed the crème de la crème of travel brands. At Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab, tourism luminaries gathered to discover the champions among them, marking the culmination of WTA’s illustrious 30th-anniversary celebration of travel excellence.

The Maldives shone brightly, earning the prestigious title of ‘World’s Leading Destination,’ while the Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) secured the accolade for the ‘World’s Leading Tourist Board.’

The Philippines’ pristine beaches and reefs earned recognition as the ‘World’s Leading Dive Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Beach Destination.’ Madeira’s untamed beauty captured voters’ hearts, securing the title of ‘World’s Leading Island Destination.’ Cannes, with its timeless charm and top-notch facilities, claimed the distinction of being the ‘World’s Leading Festival & Event Destination.’

The Caribbean displayed its allure, with Saint Lucia winning ‘World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination,’ and Jamaica reinforcing its tourism prowess by clinching ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination.’

Qatar’s vibrant tourism sector garnered multiple awards, with Doha, post the success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, named ‘World’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Business Travel Destination.’ Qatar Tourism received recognition for the ‘World’s Leading Marketing Campaign.’

In the newcomer categories, Atlantis The Royal in Dubai lived up to expectations as the ‘World’s Leading New Resort,’ while Raffles Doha, a new architectural gem in Qatar, was crowned ‘World’s Leading New Hotel.’ Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism economy was acknowledged with Red Sea International Airport claiming the title of ‘World’s Leading New Airport.’

The ceremony found its perfect venue at the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, an icon of Arabian luxury that has played a pivotal role in elevating Dubai on the global luxury tourism map.

Graham Cooke, Founder of WTA, expressed his gratitude, saying, “Hosting our 30th-anniversary celebrations at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai, has been a privilege. Our world winners epitomize tourism excellence, and I congratulate each one for contributing to raising the collective benchmark even higher.”

Arabian aviation’s strength was evident in the awards, with Qatar Airways sweeping ‘World’s Leading Airline’ and ‘World’s Leading Airline – Business Class,’ Etihad Airways claiming ‘World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class’ and ‘World’s Leading Airline – Customer Experience,’ and Emirates securing ‘World’s Leading Airline – First Class.’

The opulent Jumeirah Al Naseem in the UAE was crowned ‘World’s Leading Hotel,’ while Sardinia’s Forte Village Resort earned the distinction of ‘World’s Leading Resort.’

Source: Travel  and Tour World

Dubai launches reef project to boost marine life, eco-tourism, and fishermen’s livelihoods.

Dubai has launched a coral reef project for marine restoration that will increase sea life eight-fold, improve the sustainability of fishermen’s livelihoods, and attract eco-tourism.

The Dubai Reef project, which was announced at Cop28 on Friday, will span 600 square kilometers of the emirate’s waters, with the design of the coral reefs exceeding 400,000 cubic metres in total volume, Helal Al Marri, director-general of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said during a session at the Business and Philanthropy Climate Forum.

The project will operate on a public-private partnership model where the government has contributed 10 per cent of the investment and has secured commitments for more than 50 per cent of the funding, Mr. Al Marri said.

“We worked with the best minds to look at coral reef restoration and how to rebuild the coral environment and ensure it makes a difference,” he said.

“What we would hope is that this successful model makes it very bankable for other communities around the world.”

The project is part of Dubai’s efforts to increase fish stocks, support sustainable fishing and help boost food security, according to a statement by the Dubai Media Office on Friday.

Dubai Reef will also help to reduce carbon emissions and increase marine biodiversity. The reefs have an estimated capacity to capture more than seven million tonnes of carbon annually.

The project is also aligned with the UAE’s goals to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

The Dubai Reef project will be led by the Department of Economy and Tourism and founding partner the Regulatory Committee on Fishing of Living Aquatic Resources in Dubai, in co-operation with Dubai Chambers, the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Nakheel.

“The project will contribute to achieving food security and supporting the sustainability of the fishing industry in Dubai,” Major General Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani, chairman of the Regulatory Committee on Fishing of Living Aquatic Resources in Dubai, said.

“It will also contribute to facilitating fishing operations by providing an environment that attracts fish and marine life, thus reducing the operational costs associated with commercial fishing. The project will also contribute to increasing the quantities and abundance of commercial fish.”

The project is set to unfold in four phases starting in 2024, according to the Dubai Media Office statement.

It will begin in the first quarter and is scheduled for completion within four years, it said.

The project will help create jobs, increase the appeal of recreational water activities, and foster sustainable food sources, it said.

Source: The National News

The 3rd East African Regional Tourism Summit Set to Unlock New Vistas in Travel and Tourism in East Africa.

The recent culmination of the 3rd East African Regional Tourism Summit and the 13th Magical Kenya Travel Expo marks a pivotal moment for the travel and tourism industry in East African region. As we reflect on the insights gained and the passionate remarks of the East Africa Community (E.A.C) Deputy Secretary General (Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs) Ms. Annette Ssemuwemba, Dr. Alfred Mutua, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, it becomes evident that there’s a call to action for all stakeholders in the industry.

It was attributed that the quick rebound of the travel and tourism industry from the pangs of covid-19 pandemic was as a result of deliberate diversification of tourism products and the improvements of the challenges facing the industry in the past.

In a dynamic continent where each country boasts unique tourist attractions, the need for collaboration and a unified regional approach cannot be overstated.

This annual regional travel-tourism fair showcasing the region’s diverse offerings is a step towards the right direction in providing opportunity for countries in the region especially Kenya, in consolidating its position as a premier for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions destination in the region and Africa-hence an overall effect in growing and maintaining our global share of the international tourism market. Dr. Mutua emphasized the necessity for East African countries to set aside unproductive rivalries and collaborate in promoting the region’s collective tourism assets.

The Magical Kenya Travel Expo, Kenya’s annual flagship travel fair which brings together tourism stakeholders, partners and media from Kenya’s key source markets in Europe, Africa, Asia and America merger with East Africa Regional Tourism Summit this year was set to create more value and enhance the level of engagement.

The key focus areas to catapult and enhance the region’s visibility and maximization of the economic benefits to bolster travel and tourism trade which featured highly during the summit are:

Connectivity: The Backbone of Regional Tourism

Notably one of the primary challenges facing the East African region is connectivity. Despite the diversity of tourist attractions, the region receives very few direct flights from international destinations. To truly tap into the potential of the tourism industry and maximize economic benefits, there’s a need to focus on strengthening air links. Policies such as Open Skies Agreement (OSA) should be adopted to give our airlines the flexibility to respond to market opportunities. These agreements could empower our airlines to dance to the market’s tune, fostering growth within the East African Community and the broader African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Tech-Forward Tourism

In an era where technology is redefining travel, creating a hassle-free tourist experience is paramount. The new generation of travelers, predominantly Millennials and Gen Z, with their ‘You Only Live Once’ ethos, innovation and technology play a crucial role in attracting these tech-savvy explorers seeking seamless experiences. Therefore, industry players need to adopt innovative solutions that cater to this demographic, ensuring a personalized and convenient travel experience.

Unity and Collaboration for a Visa-Free Continent

In his closing remarks, Dr. Mutua passionately called for a shift in strategy, urging countries to pool resources for marketing and present the region as a unified destination. His proposal for a multifaceted approach involves identifying, mapping, branding, and packaging all the region’s tourist attractions while developing interconnected tourist circuits.

The idea of a visa-free continent is an idea whose time has come; it’s a journey that has commenced and will spread like wildfire in coming days. Simplifying visa processes, ensuring safety, and leveraging technology will be key in achieving this vision.

Forging partnerships from country, regional Associations and state corporations that promote destination marketing for signature events and experiences of the region’s unique propositions should be done in a synchronized manner where incentives are given for those who go out of their way to aggressively market the region’s unique prepositions. This Annual Tourism Expo among other key initiatives that the EAC has embarked on as part of implementing the regional tourism marketing strategy 2021-2025 will surely set up the bloc to exciting vistas.

Source: KATA Media & Communications -Bryan Obala

Google Maps to Remove Dangerous South African Route Following Tourist Incidents

In a significant move, Google has decided to eliminate a route to Nyanga, one of South Africa’s most violent townships, from its navigation platform, Google Maps. This decision comes in the wake of several dangerous incidents involving tourists who were directed to Nyanga as the shortest route to their destinations.

Incidents Prompting the Change

Among those affected was an American tourist, Walter Fischel, who was shot in the face and robbed, and a British surgeon who was tragically killed in August when they were inadvertently re-routed into the township due to road closures. These life-threatening situations highlighted the need for safer navigation systems and triggered Google’s decision to revisit its route recommendations.

Google’s Response and Future Plans

Responding to these incidents, Google is working in collaboration with the South African government and local authorities to understand crime hotspots. The tech giant plans to incorporate new security alerts in Google Maps to help users navigate safely. The partnership also involves digital training for tourism stakeholders and data sharing to provide an overview of tourism trends.

Impact on South African Tourism

The decision to remove potentially dangerous routes from Google Maps is seen as a part of a broader effort to boost South African tourism. South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, co-signed the collaboration with the head of Google South Africa, Alistair Mokoena, with the objective of enhancing the safety and experience of local and international tourists. The move is expected to significantly increase the confidence of travelers relying on navigation systems like Google Maps while exploring South Africa.

Source: Bnn.

Kenya, Uganda to deepen tourism cooperation

Increased promotion of key tourism sites available in the two countries tipped to help increase the number of tourists between the two East African Community member states.

“A big section of the population, including tourism stakeholders, is not aware of the rich and diverse products in each other’s countries, even when the two countries remain each other’s top tourist source markets,” said John Mulimba, Uganda Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation.

Speaking at the 2nd Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference in Kwale County, which targets to consolidate networks, synergies, and diversity to maximize the tourism potential between the two countries, Mulimba said the two countries still have untapped tourism potential which if well highlighted could boost the numbers.

“We can move beyond the 370,000 Kenyans who visited Uganda last year, and the 150,000 Ugandans who visited Kenya last year. All we need is to work together, to ensure that we make this partnership work,” he added.

Majority of Kenyans who visited Uganda last year visited for sporting events such as golf and rugby tournaments, festivals and music concerts.

Kenya intends to market its sandy beaches, marine parks, game drives, sky diving and deep seas diving among other tourism products in Uganda while the latter targets to market its mountain gorillas, tree climbing lions and over 1063 bird species in national parks to potential Kenyan visitors.

“The conference theme depicts the importance of building synergies and complementarity based on the different tourism products bought by Uganda and Kenya cost,” added Fatuma Achani, Governor of Kwale County.

Already, more than 200 delegations from Uganda are set to embark on a coastal tour to sample various products and create networks with their Kenyan counterparts.

Source: KBC.

Trevor Noah Launches Charm Offensive in FAQ Ad About South Africa

Trevor Noah, world-renowned comedian and 2024 Grammy nominee for best comedy album, has taken on a new title: ‘chief tourism comedian for South Africa.’

In a new tourism campaign entitled “The Best of Us,” launched in partnership with the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) Thursday, Noah uses his unique brand of humor to tackle frequently asked questions about his homeland.

The campaign kicks off with Noah walking poolside at a holiday home with the iconic Table Mountain in the background as he addresses common misconceptions and queries, he often gets about South Africa. “How cold and snowy is your Christmas?” he jests, “Well, Tracy, unfortunately, we can’t afford snow in South Africa. Nah, I’m just playing. We’re in the southern hemisphere, which means when it’s freezing in Connecticut, it’s fantastic in Cape Town.”

Noah’s ad doesn’t just answer quirky questions; it also highlights South Africa’s diverse attractions, from spectacular wildlife scenes in Kruger National Park to adrenaline-packed activities like bungee jumping at Bloukrans Bridge, surfing in Durban’s Golden Mile, shark cage diving in Gansbaai, and high-end golf courses along the Garden Route.

The campaign aims to boost international tourism to South Africa, as the country targets 21 million visitors by 2035, according to TBCSA CEO Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa. Noah’s global appeal and South African roots make him an ideal ambassador to showcase the country’s diverse tourism offerings, added Tshivhengwa.

Last year, South Africa saw 5.8 million inbound international tourists. The country has seen a significant increase in arrivals this year, with over 6.1 million visitors by September, with its peak summer season still ahead. European and UK visitors remain the largest source market, with  862,000 arrivals between January and September, a 50.9% increase in arrivals compared to the same period in 2022. Furthermore, the Americas have shown a notable uptick in interest, with a 59.0% increase in arrivals, led primarily by 206,015 visitors from the United States between January and July.

The campaign debuted across social media platforms and garnered over 66,700 views on TBCSA’s YouTube channel shortly after its launch. Noah has over 8.6 million followers on Instagram and has just launched a podcast called What Now – he has, however, not yet shared the “The Best of Us” video to his Instagram grid.

Noah’s South Africa ad follows another tourism ad he did earlier in the year. Noah joined Switzerland tourism ambassador Roger Federer to promote train travel across the alpine nation, below.

Source: Skift

WTM Global Report: Domestic tourism leading Africa’s post-pandemic recovery

Major destinations and source markets across Africa are expected to end 2023 ahead of pre-pandemic values in terms of value, with domestic tourism performing strongly, reveals new research published today.

The WTM Global Travel Report, in association with Tourism Economics, is published to mark the opening of this year’s WTM London, the world’s most influential travel and tourism event.

For 2023, the report predicts that African international inbound leisure will be down in volumes but up in value compared with 2019.

This year an estimated 43 million people will visit the continent, a 13% drop on the 49 million guests welcomed in 2019. However, despite the drop in volumes, the value of these trips is 103% ahead of what 2019’s business was worth.

As the report states, “the range of diverse countries has resulted in a varied picture” across the continent, and the inbound return for the three biggest markets illustrates the differences.

Market leader Egypt is slightly ahead, with 2023 at 101% of 2019 in value terms; Morocco “has made a strong recovery” and will end the year 130% ahead of pre-pandemic levels. South Africa is the region’s third largest inbound market and the one taking longest to recover – 2023 will come in at only 71% of 2019.

Domestic tourism for the region in 2023 is positive across the board, with all the top ten domestic markets, other than Nigeria, ahead of 2019 for value. South Africa is the biggest domestic market, and is ahead 104%. Number two Egypt is 111% up; third placed Algeria 134% up with Morocco completing the top five domestic markets, registering a 110% increase. Nigeria, which comes in at number four, is at 93% of 2019.

Next year will see the region build on its post-pandemic recovery although South African inbound will continue to fall short of 2019.  However, the long-term picture for the region’s biggest market is positive. By 2033, the report expects that the value of inbound leisure to South Africa will be 143% ahead of 2024.

It also identifies Mozambique, Mali and Madagascar are high-growth markets, with increases of 161%, 167% and 162% respectively in the value of inbound leisure travel by 2033.

Juliette Losardo, Exhibition Director, World Travel Market London, said: “Africa has so much to offer domestic and inbound visitors and its importance as a source market for outbound visitors to other destinations is growing all the time.

“WTM London has always supported the region’s tourism industry, and we’re determined to step up our efforts across the board and to reinforce our message that tourism can be a global force for good, and nowhere is this truer than for Africa.”

Source: Breaking Travel News