Africa tourism growth

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a member of the United Nations family of organizations, reported at the Tourism Africa Exhibition in Geneva last week that Africa has been one of the strongest growth markets in tourism over the past five years. Between 2000 and 2005, international tourist arrivals to Africa increased from 28 million to 40 million - an average growth of 5.6 % a year, compared to a worldwide 3.1 % a year. In the same period Africa’s international tourism receipts doubled from US$ 10.5 billion to US$ 21.3 billion.

UNWTO has a range of programmes designed to advance tourism to and within Africa:

• Sub-Saharan African Program
• Joint development strategy with the African Union
• ST-EP program to link Sustainability and Poverty Elimination activities
• Liberalization with a Human Face approach for pro poor trade policies
• “Essential Tourism Development Route” plan with ICAO, to boost air services
• Public Private Partnership with Microsoft to advance eTourism for Development.