Tourism professionals want African leaders to prioritize the tourism sector to improve their countries’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
They discussed this at the maiden African Tourism Forum in Sharm el Sheik, Egypt on May 20 and 21.
At the opening of the two-day event, the founder and president of the Africa Tourism Forum, Selçuk Meral, emphasized the need for African governments to tap into the vast potential of tourism to boost their national economies.
Meral said tourism is crucial in the economies of African and non-African nations, particularly in the face of regional and international challenges.
He stressed the importance of collaboration between continents.
The Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, advocated for unified policies to maximize shared interests and enhance intra-African tourism.
Issa lauded the forum which he said was coming at a time when Africa was experiencing significant success in restoring inbound tourism levels, having regained 96 percent of its 2019 levels, according to the World Tourism Organization report.
He encouraged experts, professionals, and investors to collaborate in developing Africa and enhancing its role in the global tourism sector.
Meanwhile, the founder of Rixos Luxury Hotel and Resorts, Fettah Tamince, highlighted the significance of the African Tourism Forum in developing the sector and achieving sustainable development in Africa.
He posited that Egypt, with its vast history, extensive tourist attractions, favorable year-round climate, and valuable human resources, could attract over 60 million tourists annually.
Day 2 featured a B2B meetup where international investors were introduced to investment opportunities in the tourism sector in Egypt and Africa.
The organizers say more than 3,000 tourism professionals, ambassadors, and businesspeople from 65 countries attended the forum.
It was organized by the Turkish GMT Exhibition and Conference Organizing Company, in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), the South Sinai Governorate, the Egyptian African Businessmen’s Association, and Rixos Hotels and Resorts Egypt.
The GMT Exhibition and Conference Organizing Company announced that the forum will be held annually.
