The Tanzania-based Pan African Tourism Board, and the Ministry of Tourism of Ethiopia on Monday agreed to deepen partnership and promote sustainable tourism to ultimately boost the contributions of tourism to the GDP of Africa
During his meeting with Endegena Abebe (PhD), the state Minister of Tourism of Ethiopia, the President of the Board, Meriam Lesina noted that the Board wants to establish a strong partnership with the Ethiopian Ministry of Tourism to work together on sustainable tourism development that contributes to the GDP of the continent.
The main goal of the partnership is said will increase the contribution of the tourism sector to the continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and ensure the benefits of citizens engaged in the sector. The African travel and tourism sector is a major economic driver, contributing roughly 7%–8.5% to the continent’s GDP, with a pre-pandemic high of over US$186 billion in 2019.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) projects strong growth, with the sector expected to create 18 million new jobs and add US$168 billion to the economy of Africa over the next decade.
The State Minister explained that the government has been paying special attention to the tourism sector in the past seven years through domestic economic reforms and has been achieving tangible results in investment, destination development and infrastructure construction. He stated that this is of great benefit to further promote Ethiopia’s tourism potential at the continental level.
The Pan African Tourism Board is working with the African Union and international institutions to promote the continent’s tourism resources, especially in conjunction with FIFA and CAF to promote African culture and tourism during the upcoming World Cup, according to the information the Ministry of Tourism of Ethiopia released.
By 2030, consumer spending on tourism, hospitality, and recreation in Africa is projected to reach about $261.77 billion, $137.87 billion more than in 2015.
The State Minister also stated that Ethiopia is working hard to tap into the African tourism market through sports tourism, service quality, capacity building and community-based tourism. He indicated that the ongoing activities to ensure the benefit of women in the sector will continue to be strengthened.
It is stated also that Pan African Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism of Ethiopia have agreed to work together by drafting a document that contains detailed issues on which they would work together for implementation and to enter into practical activities.
