PROFESSIONAL/ Highs and Lows of African Tourism

According to a recent World Bank report, the tourism sector in the African Sahara region is poised for better economic prospects. The industry is likely to be employing about 6.7 million people by the year 2021. “The tourism sector is among the largest employers in Sub Saharan Africa. In 2011, one out of every 20 jobs directly or indirectly came from tourism. This sector also has the largest number of women working as employees as well as managers. The region is also among the fastest growing i...

The political turbulence and deadly protests that Egypt has witnessed in the recent months are scaring away the Western tourists from the beaches, resorts and famous scuba diving spots across the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula. Hotels literally remained empty for a period of at least one month prior to Eid. Western governments have stepped up their travel advice to Egypt following worsening violence amid anti-government protests. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), UK, recommende...

According to a report released by the global research firm, Euromonitor International, tourism in Africa is now shifting from the dependency on the traditional markets of US and Europe. There has been a significant increase in the number of tourists coming from the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), and the Middle East. The report was released in the light of the World Travel Market 2013. The Euromonitor’s research found out that the strong economic growth in the African Countrie...

Tensions over the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have proven to be an obstacle to East African integration. Members of the East African Community include Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, but only three of these countries have signed the recent agreement for a joint tourist visa – Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. The Heads of State of each of these countries made the decision six months ago, with Rwanda to lead the transition, and the agreement was signed on August 2. Th...