Tourism creates 21mln jobs in Africa, exceeds manufacturing and banking – AU

18 Jun 2018
Financial Nigeria

Summary

Tourism industry accounts for more than six percent of the total investments value at $29 billion (in Africa) and employs over 20 million people.

AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Tourism, Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid

The tourism sector supports about 21 million jobs in Africa with a value of over $160 million, exceeding manufacturing and banking sectors combined. African Union (AU) Commissioner for Infrastructure and Tourism, Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, disclosed this at the just-concluded 61st United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Regional Commission for Africa Conference in Abuja.

Abou-Zeid said that tourism is an engine for inclusive growth and economic development on the continent.

“In Africa, tourism supports about 21 million jobs translating to one in
14 jobs; this is how important tourism is. That is why we are making sure it takes its due place,” said Abou-Zeid. “The value of the industry now stands at over $160 billion, accounting for almost 8 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. So, it exceeds the contributions from manufacturing and banking sectors.”

Tourism industry accounts for more than six percent of the total investments value at $29 billion and employs over 20 million people, hence accounting for 6.5 per cent of the total work force, she said.

The three-day conference, themed “Tourism Statistic: A Catalyst for Development,” was declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The AU commissioner added that 5 percent of the tourism industry is projected to grow much faster than the 4.8 percent economic growth forecast for the continent over the next 10 years.

She, therefore, called for tourism promotion strategies through improvement of Africa’s image in the global media.

“Our priority on the continent now should be to optimise the role of tourism based on the agenda of NEPAD/AU action plan,” said Abou-Zeid. “On that, we have the responsibility to coordinate and facilitate the implementation and of course collaborate with UNWTO and other key partners. We have finalised the first agenda for the 2063, the focus now is on strategy for implementation.”

“We are particularly keen to see that tourism is very much high in the priority of the action plan,” she added.

The Secretary General of UNWTO, Zurab Pololikashvili, said that there is the need for political will to make tourism thrive and achieve its goal in the global community. “Tourism in Africa is becoming increasingly recognised as a vehicle for developments,” he said.


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