The number of tourists visiting Africa is predicted to double in the next 15 years, improving prospects for the industry.
There has sincee been an increase in number of both natural and cultural attractions.
According to WTO, the tourism industry in Africa is currently growing at a respectable average rate of 7.2%. One out of every 20 jobs in Africa is in the tour and travel industry.
However, developing tourism in the world’s poorest continent requires a host of factors besides the lovely lodges.
They include improved safety and security, health and hygiene, infrastructure, education and training, according to industry analysts.
Available statistics indicate African continent received about 50 million tourists last year — a mere fraction of the world total. But supporting and investing in tourism benefits have had a multiplier effects.
This comes on the sidelines of the first 5-day Pan African Conference on Sustainable Tourism Management in Tanzania (from October 13) at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).
Tanzania’s Deputy minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Lazaro Nyalandu said, ” the conference aims at addressing challenges facing toursim industry and conservation, its most important component.”
It becomes the fourth largest meetings to be organised in Arusha this year after the 2012 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) last May and the recent African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) and African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF).
A total of 412 official delegates from about 40 countries in Africa are attending.
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