The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has published the latest World Tourism Barometer which covers world tourism rankings. According to the report, international tourist arrivals totalled 1.4 billion (+6 per cent) in 2018, 2 years ahead of expected time according to UNWTO‘s prediction in 2010 that the 1.4 billion mark will be achieved by 2020. Meanwhile, Africa recorded 7 per cent increase in 2018, clearly above global average.
In recent times, Africa’s tourism sector has seen tremendous growth. According to data from the report, the continent is one of the world’s fastest growing tourist destinations.
UNWTO’s long-term forecast published in 2010 predicted a 1.4 billion mark of international tourist arrivals by 2020. However, stronger economic growth has accelerated growth, bringing the record 2 years earlier.
In 2018, a total of 713 million (+6 per cent) international tourists visited Europe. Growth was driven by Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+7percent), Central and Eastern Europe (+6 per cent) and Western Europe (+6 percent). Results in Northern Europe were flat due to the weakness of arrivals to the United Kingdom.
Asia and the Pacific (6 per cent) reached 343 million international tourists arrivals in 2018. South-East Asia led the highest increase in the region with 7 per cent, followed by North-East Asia (+6percent) and then South Asia (+5 per cent). Oceania showed more moderate growth at +3 per cent.
The Americas (+3 per cent) welcomed 217 million international arrivals in 2018, with mixed results across destinations. Growth was led by North America (+4 per cent) followed by South America (+3 per cent), while Central America and the Caribbean (both -2 per cent) reached very mixed results, the latter reflecting the impact of the September 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Data from Africa points to a 7 per cent increase in 2018 (North Africa at +10 per cent and sub-Saharan +6 per cent), reaching an estimated 67 million arrivals.
The Middle East (+10 per cent) showed solid results last year consolidating its 2017 recovery, with international tourist arrivals reaching 64 million.
In relative terms, the Middle East (+10 per cent), Africa (+7 per cent), Asia and the Pacific and Europe (both at +6 per cent) led growth in 2018. Arrivals to the Americas were below the world average (+3 per cent)
According to data from the Africa tourist monitor, an AfDB annual report on the tourism industry in Africa, as global tourism increases year over year so does African tourism experience growth. Statistics show the sector has recorded a continuous upswing since 2016 when Africa’s tourist arrivals stood at 62.9 million, a 5.1 per cent share in worldwide tourism arrivals which was at its peak with 1.239 billion international tourist arrivals.
The influx of tourists means more money coming into the continent. As a result, governments across the continent are prioritizing tourism in their overarching development agendas, improving the business climate for tourism and encouraging investment in infrastructure and hospitality. Africa is embracing nature and wildlife tourism, international brands and technological change. The recent up rise can be attributed to the more liberal travel policies, new businesses models, not forgetting standard hospitality. Some cases of liberal travel policies include the introduction of the e-visa and the single visa scheme, enabling tourists to visit all Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states using just one visa. Other examples include the “KAZA” (Kavango Zambezi) common tourist visa developed by Zambia and Zimbabwe, and the single visa covering three countries (Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda) launched by the East African Community (EAC) in February 2014.
The hotel market in Africa is still under-represented with under-capacity in most cities. However, there have been increased hotel operators on the continent that provide quality services on the international standard at an affordable price, bringing a compelling lifestyle for tourists. The launch of several initiatives across the continent has attracted tourists from around the world. With the launch of the Airbnb hospitality network which currently has more than 100,000 accommodation listings across Africa, and hosts have welcomed more than 2 million guests in the past five years.
Furthermore, tourism’s contribution to employment cannot be undermined. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in 2017, travel and tourism accounted for 10.4 per cent of total global GDP and more than 313 million jobs (including direct, indirect, and induced employment) at 9.9 per cent of total employment globally. Direct travel and tourism employment in Africa rose to 9.3 million (2.6% of total employment), with 6.8 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa and 2.5 million jobs in North Africa in 2017. Globally, tourism accounts for 3.8 per cent of direct employment as a percentage of total employment, compared to 2.6 per cent in Africa, 4.4 per cent in North Africa, and 2.3 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa.
In line with the historical growth trend and the underlying projects to improve the tourism market, the African tourism industry will boast of unprecedented growth
