WTTC: Travel & Tourism to Inject $168B into Africa’s Economy in 10 Years
WTTC reveals Travel & Tourism could help create over 18 million new jobs.
During its Global Summit in Kigali in October 2023, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and VFS Global collaborated to reveal the enormous potential for growth in the African Travel and Tourism industry.
Unlocking Opportunities for Growth in Africa
The report, titled ‘Unlocking Opportunities for Travel & Tourism Growth in Africa’, suggests that this growth is contingent on three key policies: improving air infrastructure, facilitating visas, and marketing tourism. Implementing these could unlock an annual growth rate of 6.5%, contributing more than US$350BN to the economy.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, highlighted the sector’s extraordinary transformation at the summit. “Growth potential for Travel & Tourism in Africa is massive. It has already more than doubled since 2000, and with the right policies could unlock an additional US$168 billion in the next decade,” she said.
Overcoming Challenges Towards a Promising Recovery
Despite facing challenges such as the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, disease outbreaks, and political instability, the sector is on a path to recovery. The WTTC projects 2023 to be a year of near-full recovery, with the creation of an additional 18 million jobs.
The report also highlights opportunities for the sector, including strategic investments, improved connectivity, streamlined visa processes, reducing carbon footprint through low-carbon energy adoption, and enhancing water efficiency.
