ONLINE PORTAL ‘JUMIA TRAVEL‘ RESPONDS TO LIFTING OF SUDAN SANCTIONS
(Posted 19th October 2017)
One of #Africa’s leading online hotel portals which lists more than 30,000 hotels across the continent is ready to revive its business in Sudan, following news of the revocation of economic sanctions by the US against Africa’s third largest country. The sanctions relief gives the green light to tapping into key trade and investment opportunities in Sudan, across industries such as finance, agriculture, mining and tourism. Companies such as Jumia Travel are now planning to revive business with hotel partners in the country. ‘Like any other business, the sanctions had largely affected our business in the Sudan, perhaps even feeling the pinch more as we are in the travel industry. With an already promising growth in tourism, we are happy to explore the massive business potential that lies in the sector‘ said Cyrus Onyiego, Jumia Travel’s Country Manager Kenya.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) report on Travel & Tourism Global Economic Impact & Issues 2017, Sudan’s tourism sector has registered impressive growth in the past 6 years, with an annual average growth of 49.8% in visitor exports. This, besides directly supporting 1.8% of total employment (193,000 jobs) in 2016, and an expected increase of the same by 5.7% in 2017.
Sanctions against Sudan’s date back to the 1990’s after the country was accused of hosting Osama Bin Laden, sympathizing with terrorists as well as supporting terrorism activities. The issuing of an executive order by Obama to lift the bans on a probational case during his last days in office paved the path to restoration which has finally culminated to the clearance. Sudan has an abundance of tourist attractions and experiences which if tapped into correctly can be an invaluable source of revenue, employment and even investment for the country.
