During the 66th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa, Member States, along with representatives from international organizations and the private sector, came together to discuss the potential in tourism jobs and investments while acknowledging the urgent need to tackle challenges like the climate crisis.
Recent UNWTO data reveals a positive trend for tourism across Africa, showing a gradual recovery from the unprecedented pandemic crisis. By the end of the first quarter this year, international arrivals in Africa had rebounded to 88 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
Notably, North Africa stands out with robust performance, surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 arrival figures by 4 percent during the same period.
Globally, international tourism receipts soared to US$1 billion in 2022, representing a remarkable 50 percent real growth compared to 2021. Among African destinations with available data, Morocco and Mauritius notably exceeded their 2019 tourism receipts in the first quarter of 2023.
In his welcoming address to the delegates, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili highlighted the adapted UNWTO Agenda for Africa. He emphasized the vision for African tourism, which focuses on strong governance, increased education, and the creation of more and better job opportunities. To achieve these goals, the agenda promotes innovation, advocates for Brand Africa, facilitates travel, and seeks to unlock growth through investment and public-private partnerships.