Why We Are Where We Are - The Challenges Hindering African Tourism.

Welcome to the third edition of "All of My Travel Thoughts."

In previous editions, we've explored the immense potential and unique offerings of African tourism. However, despite its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and diverse wildlife, African tourism is not thriving as it should, these are conversations we should have if we want tourism here at its best. This edition goes into the reasons why I think African tourism isn't thriving as it could. It all starts from infrastructure deficiencies, security concerns, lack of private-public partnerships, visa policies amongst others

Infrastructure Deficiencies

One of the most significant barriers to the growth of tourism in Africa is inadequate infrastructure. Poor roads, insufficient public transportation, and limited access to reliable utilities make travel challenging for both domestic and international tourists. According to the African Development Bank, Africa needs an estimated $170 billion annually to meet its infrastructure demands, with a current funding gap of $68-$108 billion. The lack of investment in infrastructure directly impacts the tourism sector, deterring potential visitors who seek comfort and convenience, in Nigeria this is a crucial concern, a lot of attractions and sites all around Nigeria with great potentials lack basic infrastructure - some weeks ago I was in Ilorin , I visited the Owu falls, about 7KM from the town with zero road network, we had to get on bikes and drop at some points because of how hilly it was - when we stopped in between we encountered animals from the forest, at a one point, the tire of our bike got bad - we had to walk, the managers made us understand that the government takes as far 70% revenue but with nothing to show for.

Security Concerns

Security remains a paramount concern for tourists considering travel to Africa. Political instability, terrorism, and high crime rates in certain regions create an environment of uncertainty and fear. In 2019, the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report ranked 141 countries on safety and security; several African nations were placed in the lower tiers. Ensuring the safety of tourists is crucial for fostering a robust tourism industry, no one wants to visit an unsafe country - bear in mind a major of the attractions might lie in the rural areas, no one wants to explore in an unsafe country, In Nigeria is a crucial issue, from kidnappings that equal a decline in inter-state travel to banditry far north amongst several unrest across the country.

Lack of Private-Public Partnerships

This is one that is very important to me - one of the crucial backbones for success is Partnership and tourism is not left out, successful tourism sectors worldwide benefit from strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. In Africa, this synergy is often missing, Governments may lack the resources or expertise to develop tourism infrastructure and market destinations effectively, while private enterprises might be hesitant to invest due to perceived risks but this is where the synergy comes in handy - there could be a lot of value from this even as far as Government funding, private executing. From attractions to event, to wildlife amongst others.

Visa Policies and Travel Restrictions

Visa is one issue I thought at this stage as Africa we wont have especially with the opportunities attached to this, it is wild to see Africans experience hardship currently while travelling, from getting Visas to even treatments with Visa on arrival. Africa should be a united continent, stringent visa policies and travel restrictions pose significant barriers to tourism growth in Africa. According to the African Union’s Visa Openness Index, many African countries still have restrictive visa policies, making it difficult for international travelers to visit. Simplifying visa procedures and introducing efficient visa-on-arrival options can significantly boost tourist numbers. For example, Rwanda's introduction of visa-on-arrival for all nationalities in 2018 led to a 4.1% increase in international arrivals, might look like just 4% but those numbers in the grand scheme rubs on the GDP, I am still looking forward to the "African visa" - one visa for the whole of Africa just like our EU friends.

Limited Marketing and Promotion

Africa's tourism potential is vastly under-promoted on the global stage. Many countries lack the resources to invest in effective marketing campaigns to attract international tourists. According to a 2019 report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), African countries allocate less than 2% of their budgets to tourism marketing and promotion. This underinvestment results in low awareness and interest among potential tourists, people don't visit where they don't know or what they cant see or where they haven't heard about - the content creators, story tellers pay a crucial role too! I remember some years ago when Cabo Verde took marketing serious, had great impact on the visits and Rwanda's current marketing feat - Marketing works and changes a lot of things.

Inadequate Tourism Education and Training

The tourism industry relies heavily on a well-trained workforce to provide high-quality services. Unfortunately, many African countries face challenges in tourism education and training. A report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlights that a lack of specialized training institutions and programs results in a skills gap in the tourism sector. Investing in education and training is essential to enhance service quality and improve the overall tourist experience.

Environmental and Sustainability Issues

Environmental degradation and sustainability issues pose significant challenges to the long-term viability of tourism in Africa. Climate change, deforestation, and wildlife poaching threaten the natural attractions that draw tourists to the continent. According to the African Wildlife Foundation , Africa loses about 3 million hectares of forest each year, impacting biodiversity and natural habitats. Sustainable tourism practices are necessary to preserve these resources for future generations.

Conclusion:

Despite these challenges, the potential for African tourism remains immense. Addressing infrastructure deficiencies, enhancing security, fostering private-public partnerships, simplifying visa policies, investing in marketing, improving tourism education and training, and adopting sustainable practices are crucial steps toward unlocking this potential. By overcoming these hurdles, Africa can establish itself as a leading global tourism destination, providing economic growth and cultural enrichment for its people.