Africa Tourism Association News Updates

SEPTEMBER|OCTOBER 2 0 1 9

AFRICA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY IS NOW THE SECOND FASTEST GROWING IN THE WORLD

Some 67 million tourists visited Africa in 2018, representing a rise of 7% from a year earlier, making Africa the second-fastest growing region when it comes to tourism, after Asia Pacific.

CS BALALA ELECTED TO CHAIR WTO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Kenya’s Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala was on Friday evening elected to chair the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council.

LAI MOHAMMED UNVEILS AGENDA FOR NIGERIA’S CULTURE, TOURISM SECTOR

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, unveiled his agenda to transform the creative, tourism and culture industry into Nigeria’s new oil in the next four years.

SOUTH SUDAN TURNS TO TOURISM IN BID TO DRAW LINE UNDER PAST UNREST

While South Sudan has six national parks, 13 game reserves and is rich in biodiversity and resources, safaris are not uppermost in the mind when thinking about the war-torn nation.

COTE D’IVOIRE: TOURISM CONTRIBUTES UP TO 6.25% TO GDP

Tourism is currently contributing about 6.25% to Côte d’Ivoire’s GDP thanks to the current tourism infrastructure and investments, Ivorian Minister of Tourism, Siandou Fofana said.

THESE CHINESE VLOGGERS ARE CHANGING HOW CHINA’S RISING MIDDLE CLASS SEES AFRICA

When Beijing-born video producer, Fyjo Molly, relocated from Berlin to Johannesburg three years ago, she was enthusiastic about the move….

6 REASONS TO VISIT MALAWI ACCORDING TO ‘WE ARE TRAVEL GIRLS’

Every year, the founders of We Are Travel Girls, take a group of 12 women to Malawi for their annual Malawi Safari…

TOURISM ENTREPRENEURS GRADUATE FROM THE AIRBNB AFRICA ACADEMY

Tourism Entrepreneurs (TEs) from across the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province gathered in Durban to celebrate their official graduation from the three-month Airbnb Africa Academy training programme.

THIS STUDENT IS FIGHTING ANIMAL POACHING USING WILDLIFE PHOTOS

It’s a shocking image: A huge rhinoceros pinned to the ground while a grimacing man shreds a power saw through its horn, white shards shooting off in a blur of high speed…

NIGERIA’S CO-CREATION HUB BUYS KENYA’S IHUB IN LANDMARK ACQUISITION
Nigeria’s leading technology innovation center, Co-Creation Hub looks to strengthen its pan-African network to accelerate the growth of technology innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa.

NIGERIA AND SOUTH AFRICA: WHEN TWO AFRICAN GIANTS MEET
The leaders of Africa’s two superpowers, Nigeria and South Africa, meet in the wake of recent xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg in which Nigerians were targeted.

THE METEORIC RISE OF AFRICAN ART

As a slew of exhibitions open and collectors cash in, the art world has at last woken up to the power of African artists, says Amah-Rose Abrams

AFROBEAT SUPERSTAR MR EAZI EXPANDS INITIATIVE THAT HELPS DOZENS OF AFRICAN ARTISTS
emPawa, launched last year, awards funding and promotion for music videos by emerging artists based in or originally from Africa.

NOLLYWOOD: THE BOURGEONING NIGERIAN CREATIVE EXPORT
Nollywood and music had remained the country’s biggest creative exports. While Afrobeat is currently influencing global sounds, it is through movies that the world is provided a window into Nigeria’s diversity.

EAST AFRICAN BLOC SEEKS TO SPUR DEMAND FOR LOCAL TEXTILES AFRICA
An East African bloc’s decision to promote the wearing of locally made attire and annual exhibits in the member states will help the garments gain popularity, said experts.

THIS BENINESE DESIGNER AIMS TO GIVE VISIBILITY TO AFRICAN CRAFTSMANSHIP
Kassim Lassissi is a 32-year old fashion designer with roots in Benin. While Paris is currently his home base, he travels frequently between Africa and Europe.

?HERE’S HOW TO BOOST THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY IN AFRICA
Thanks to the growing Internet penetration across the globe, our undeniable rich talent, and continuing global success, there is now a gold rush for everything African.

NO SEAT AT THE GLOBAL TABLE FOR INDIGENOUS AFRICAN CUISINE
Gastronomic tourism based on African food could easily increase and create new value chains that unlock billions in untapped wealth for the continent, but what is stopping us?