Martin Camara’s Post

#Tourism. Tourism in Africa. (Part 1) "Travel is the only thing that you buy and makes you richer" - Unknown The Tourism industry is playing an increasingly important role in the global economy. Contributing 5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) , 30 percent of service exports and 235 million jobs , indeed, each year, 1billion people travel internationally. By 2030, consumer spending on tourism, hospitality and recreation in Africa is projected to reach about $26177 billion, 137, 87billion more than in 2012. From 1998 to 2015, service exports including of "industries without smokestacks" such as tourism, have grown six times faster than merchandise exports in Africa. Given these trends, the travel and Tourism industry has a significant potential in Africa, notably due to the continent's richness in natural resources and it's potential to further develop cultural heritage. e.g music. However, except in a few countries, such as Mauritius , Seychelles, where the tourism sector's share of the economy is particularly large , tourism in Africa is still at an early stage of development and strongly connected with more general and long standing development challenges , including infrastructure and security. Aware of the potential for tourism, most countries in the region have already drafted strategies , plans to develop the sector as an economic opportunity and development catalyst . For example Gambia, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania are all putting significant efforts into advancing travel and Tourism development. Botswana, Mauritius, Rwanda and South Africa are working particularly hard to improve their business environment for tourism investment. The African Union and sub - regional communities have also put tourism at the top of their agendas. For example the African Union has endorsed the continent's Tourism Action Plan.(TAP) developed by the new partnership for African partnership.(NEPAD) and renowned African Development Agency (AUDA). Image Caption: Tourists enjoying a safari at Uganda's Semiliki national Park #Tourism

Market Harmony Series: Southern Africa Quadripoint Tourism. Agility And Flexibility Is key. Southern Africa is blessed with nature and attractive tourism destinations especially those located on the unique Quadripoint regions .This is the only place on earth where four countries boundaries meet which is endowed with natural resources .The major question posed is ,business leaders maximizing the tourism opportunities endowed on this special region? The Southern African business players need to adapt agile methods and flexible business marketing models to achieve the desired tourism market growth in this region.Lets think of Climate change investments in this region?For the tourism market to realize enormous growth at this point requires them to should unlock value by easing business through adopting agile and flexible strategies .Agile in climate,service delivery,Infrastructure Investments opportunities .Key Stakeholders must have agility in service delivery,flexible collaboration and harmonization of services to bust maximum customer satisfaction.For instance ,when Tourist are visiting this Southern Africa Quadripoint tour destinations ,the four countries’ immigrations systems should offer Quadripoint express entry Visa which allows them to easily visit both countries Zimbabwe,Botswana,Zambia and Namibia with less hassle at border points .Tour operators should harmonize their services .All services supply chains can be intergrated to deliver competitive value for customers.#harmonized travel and tours #Agility and Flexibility for Tourism Players. SOUTHERN AFRICA PGA TOUR Zambia Tourism Board Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Botswana Tourism Organisation Namibia Tourism Board (NTB)

BREAKING NEWS-East Africa Destination Chooses Coopetition! At the ongoing 13th Magical Kenya Tourism Expo hosted alongside East Africa Regional Tourism Expo of East Africa Community #EAC, Vist East Africa- Feel the Vibe campaign was launched to boost travel in the region. The EAC region includes Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. The idea was mooted as part of post COVID19 strategies to build EAC destination resilience. This launch follows an earlier initiative by the #EAC to ease visa requirements for traveling in the region. The EAC single entry visa was signed by Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda and works most of the time. The single visa treaty also allowed East Africans to travel in three countries that signed the treaty using their national IDs, addressing the passport barrier. All these aimed at boosting tourism in the region through open boarders for intra regional travel and international travel. Each of the EAC countries are defined by unique attractions, challenges and opportunities. Three of the countries compete on wildlife tourism (the traditional Big 5 with varying strenghts), culture and heritage tourism is not optimized for communities in nearly all countries, some destinations in EAC are perceived as mass tourism destinations and others are pushing for exclusive high impact low volume tourism, while others face insecurity and are struggling to build their tourism sector. Quality of service in hospitality varies significantly in the region, as are human right policies and some countries are still struggling with lack of skilled labour, not to mention pricing barriers from currency strengths against the US dollar. I am yet to access and read the full strategy behind the - Visit East Africa Feel the Vibe campaign to understand how the opportunitues and challenges will be harmonized to create value for every member state. When I do, I will do deeper review. NB-Currently in Uganda Pearl of Africa feeling the Vibe of Murchison Falls and the River Nile. I will be discussing this with #sttachangemakers in upcoming seminar #sttaconsulting #EarteMkte2023 #EAC #eastafrica #tourism #travel #strategy

What a phenomenal way to wrap up 2023 🚀 The latest update from the UNWTO Barometer is nothing short of spectacular. According to World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), #pakistan has emerged as a powerhouse in the world of tourism, leading the pack with an astonishing 92% surge in tourism receipts compared to 2019. 📈 On a global scale, #internationaltourism is staging a remarkable comeback, targeting an impressive 90% of pre-pandemic levels by the close of 2023. The numbers speak volumes: a whopping 38% increase in international tourist arrivals from January to September 2023 compared to the previous year. Despite economic hurdles, the tourism sector is gearing up for a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels by 2024, showcasing the industry's remarkable resilience. 🌍 Let's toast Pakistan's triumph in the global travel revival — a testament to its allure and resilience on the international stage. 🎉✨ #TravelSuccess #PakistanOnTheRise #GlobalTourismRevival #AtharJ #tourisminsights #60secondshopitality #tourismtrends #hospitalityexcellence #unwto World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Tourism Insights Centre for Labour Research Kiran Afzal M Arif Saleem Nauman Mansoor Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana

In the sphere of tourism, Uganda proudly stands as Kenya's foremost source market, holding a significant position just behind the United States. The allure of Uganda has captivated a remarkable surge, attracting nearly 350,000 Kenyan visitors in the past year alone. Equally, Uganda warmly welcomed approximately 150,000 Kenyan explorers within its borders, underscoring the strong tourism ties interwoven between these East African nations. A newly established facet of this burgeoning tourism relationship running to it's second edition is the Kenya-Uganda Tourism Exchange. This collaborative effort, led by Amb. Paul Mukumbya of the Uganda Consulate in Mombasa, in collaboration with key tourism players in the coastal region, aims to strengthen the existing bonds. Furthermore, on the horizon is the highly anticipated two-day 2nd Uganda-Kenya Coast Tourism Conference, 2023, scheduled for November 13th-14th at the Neptune Hotels in Diani, Kenya, followed by a two-week excursion and familiarization trip until December 3rd, 2023. This venture will span both Kenya and Uganda, with the objective of expanding the tourism landscapes of both nations. These upcoming events are expected to act as catalysts, propelling the numbers of cross-border visitors to new heights while fostering a profound interplay of tourism experiences and insights. As the wheels of travel turn and anticipation builds, it is evident that these initiatives are poised not only to increase the influx of visitors but also to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of each nation's rich tapestry of culture, heritage, and natural wonders. This dynamic exchange promises to pave the way for a more robust and fruitful tourism partnership, enhancing the allure of East Africa on the global stage. 🌍✈️🌟 #TourismExchange #EastAfricaTourism #UgandaKenyaTravel 🇰🇪🇺🇬"

Invest in Namibia and the Tourists will come By Connie-Marlene Theyse Namibia, the land where the desert meets the sea, with some of the widest and most beautiful landscapes to be observed anywhere in the world, and more big cats, elephants, and game than you could ever hope to capture with your camera. Pair this with 300 days of sunshine, the best road network in Africa, and stunning lodges and it becomes a ‘no brainer’ as to why Namibia is a hot tourist destination. The African Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) taking place in the capital, Windhoek, just underscores the importance of Namibia as a tourism destination. On top of that, the country is fast becoming a destination for the business traveler. https://lnkd.in/dFnbFhGt

Kenya’s tourism sector growth was impressive in the first half of 2023 👉 In the six months to June 2023, the United States remained the leading source market for Kenya’s tourism sector growth. 👉 Americans are familiar with Kenya’s Mount Kenya region and the Maasai Mara National Reserve, which offers Safari experiences. 👉 Uganda was the second leading source of travelers with 89,968 (10.6%), Tanzania came in third with 69,777 (8.2%), the UK was fourth with 65,563 (7.7%), while India closed the top five list. Learn more 👉 https://cutt.ly/OwjsPsiC #TembeaKenya #magicalkenya #Tourism #Revenue #eastafrica #UGanda #Kenya #maasaimara #UnitedStates

Joining the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism & Hospitality at Suswe Lodges, Mutoko to celebrate World Tourism Day this year! The emphasis of the celebration will be on "Tourism and Green Investments." It's inspiring to see the focus placed on investing in people, our planet, and prosperity. Fun runs, tours of eco-friendly lodges, and live exhibitions by youths and women will all highlight the festivities. The event is aligned with the Second Republic's mantra of empowering local communities, echoing the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)'s commitment to creating awareness on the socio-economic benefits of travel and tourism. Having witnessed a significant boost in the global travel and tourism sector, Zimbabwe has not been left behind. The first half of 2023 saw an increase of 62 percent in international tourist arrivals, marking a notable turnaround from the past years. This rise attributes to the resumption of global travel and enhanced recovery measures in the tourism sector. Let’s continue to embrace and support sustainable tourism. It’s an opportunity to understand the challenges and potentials of our actions towards the environment, and learn how we can contribute in creating a sustainable future. #worldtourismday #sustainabletourism #Zimbabwe

KAZA UNIVISA A GAME CHANGER FOR AFRICAN TOURISM With news that the regional KAZA 'univisa' is likely to be extended to include Angola, Botswana and Namibia, it will be a welcome development for the tourism sector, for the benefits the move comes with. Currently 21 percent of the world population does not need a visa, up from 17 percent in 2008, according to the United Nations. Ideally the desire would be a no visa regime to boost tourism for our region. The visa, which currently only applies to Zimbabwe and Zambia, would significantly improve traveller movement through the region. The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area - KAZA TFCA regularly sees tourists journeying across borders between parks and attractions in all five countries. The new Schengen-style visa for Southern Africa will boost tourism by simplifying travel across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This unified visa, allows seamless cross-border travel, attracting more visitors and enhancing the region’s appeal as a top travel destination. This initiative is expected to drive economic growth and strengthen regional cooperation in tourism, which is in line with the KAZA conservation area's Rivers of Life initiative which aims to link economies as well as communities and ecosystems. It's a huge step towards strengthening regional cooperation in tourism and driving economic growth. Being a long-haul destination, we understand how travellers from abroad want to explore the wonders of these five stunning KAZA member countries with as little hassle as possible." #VisitZimbabwe #RegionalTourism #RegionalIntegration #SustainableTourism Read link below for more details: https://lnkd.in/e-9m-J7J

Working together as one will motivate everyone to be at the top of their game, it’s gonna ease tensions, and create a sense of togetherness. Most of all, this will surely increase competition that will definitely lead to innovation. With an emphasis on collaboration and the promise of influence on decision making, it’s vital for the community engagement as it is clear as it drives social transformation. https://lnkd.in/dQqQ4fa