Africa’s tourism sector is on the rise again

Following the lifting of most Covid-19 restrictions, tourism sector started to recover with growing foreign arrivals, new flight routes and opened hotels.

After a break of almost two years, Accor is again ready for business and awaiting for guests at its Nairobi’s Fairmont The Norfolk property.

“The hotel and Accor regional team have worked closely together to reopen the hotel and its facilities,” declared Accor Kenya GM, Mehdi Morad.

Emirates also announced daily flights to Mauritius starting June, while the PrideInn Group has prepared its hotels in Nairobi and Mombasa.

African tourism market is slowly bouncing back thanks to the relaxing of Covid-19 rules in the attempt to boost local economies. Kenya, for example, expects more than one million tourists this year and South Africa currently registers a considerable increase in visitor numbers.

“We are seeing clear and exciting indications of a recovery in the tourism and hospitality sector in the Western Cape, after taking a significant knock due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent travel restrictions,” explained David Maynier, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities.

Egypt too is now targeting travellers from UK, Germany, Italy, France and the U.S. with the country’s latest campaign called “Follow the Sun”.

International flights frequency is also on the rise, as Emirates Airlines launched weekly flights to Mauritius, this way enhancing air traffic to the Indian Ocean.

Moreover, “African airlines had reinstated approximately 80.8% of their pre-Covid international routes, though frequencies remain low,” stated a release by the African Airlines Association.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has as well released positive news for the African continent, with data showing a significant 69.5 per cent rise in passenger traffic for February when compared to last year’s figures.

“The recovery in air travel is gathering steam as governments in many parts of the world lift travel restrictions. States that persist in attempting to lock out the disease, rather than managing it, as we do with other diseases, risk missing out on the enormous economic and societal benefits that restoration of international connectivity will bring,” concluded IATA’s director-general, Willie Walsh.

 

Source: howwemadeitinafrica.com