(Posted 16th November 2026)
Courtesy of Salman Khan / LinkedIn
A Call for Pan-African Tourism Integration, Collaboration and a New Continental Growth Agenda by Salman Khan.
There is something profoundly thought-provoking about the position Africa occupies in the global tourism economy.
In 2025, the world recorded approximately 1.523 billion international tourist arrivals. Of this enormous global tourism market, the African continent welcomed approximately 81 million international visitors, representing a mere 5% of global arrivals.
Let that figure sink in for a moment.
A continent of 54 recognised countries, approximately 1.4 billion people, extraordinary biodiversity, spectacular coastlines, ancient civilisations, diverse cultures, world-renowned heritage sites and some of the most breathtaking landscapes on earth attracts only one out of every twenty international tourist arrivals.
Surely, this should give us food for thought.
Africa is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary tourism assets. From the pyramids of Egypt and the ancient medinas of Morocco to the Serengeti migration, Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta, the Cape Floral Kingdom, the beaches of Zanzibar and Seychelles, the historical richness of Ethiopia, the cultural landscapes of West Africa and the extraordinary heritage of Southern Africa, our continent offers an unparalleled diversity of tourism experiences. to read more click here
