Some stakeholders in Africa’s tourism sector have called for more intra-African travel and partnerships to harness the continent’s full tourism potential.
They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the ongoing 22nd Akwaaba Africa Travel Market in Lagos on Wednesday.
The event, organised by Akwaaba African Travel Market Ltd., provides a platform for tourism stakeholders to showcase attractions, build partnerships and promote travel across Africa.
Consaga Khisa, Director of Destination Connect, a tour company based in Nairobi, Kenya, said removal of visa requirements had encouraged increased travel within the continent.
Khisa said Kenya’s removal of visa requirements for Nigerian travellers had encouraged more Nigerians to visit the country for business, holidays and visits.
“So, I think positively we have seen a lot more people travelling and also we have seen enhanced awareness of what Africa has to offer,” he said.
He said the rise in African travel should be seen as an opportunity for growth, not a challenge, adding that Kenya is ready to welcome more tourists.
Khisa said previous editions of the expo had also helped Destination Connect expand its network of partners and meet potential clients.
“So, Akwaaba has always been a very, very useful platform for us to not only meet up with the partners that we are already dealing with but also to secure new partnerships, meet new potential clients,” he said.
Sandra Nshuti, Co-founder of Bertab Journeys, Rwanda, said the visa-free entry policy between Nigeria and Rwanda had generated interest among travellers and tour operators.
Nshuti urged Africans to look beyond destinations outside the continent and appreciate the diversity within Africa.
“Africa is not a country. Every country has got its own things, the culture, the beauty of the landscapes, the people,” she said.
She said Rwanda offers wildlife safaris, adventure activities, and conservation experiences, and highlighted the country’s safety, hospitality, and diverse attractions.
Grace Mboumba, Chief Executive Officer of Gabon Highlights Tourism, said Gabon was working to attract international attention while preserving its natural environment and authentic tourism experience.
Mboumba said the country’s lowland gorillas, mangroves, savannahs and lagoons remained among its tourism attractions.
She added that Gabon remains committed to conservation and regulated tourism to protect its natural environment.
“It’s that authenticity; we want to keep it like that,” she said.
She called for more intra-African travel, urging Africans to tour the continent and create partnerships that benefit African businesses and economies.
“It’s time for intra-Africa tourism. It’s time for Africans to visit Africa,” she said. (NAN)
