By Times Reporter
Travel and tourism remained one of the key growth drivers of Africa’s economy, contributing 8.5 per cent of the GDP in 2018; equivalent to $194.2 billion. According to the 2019 Jumia Hospitality Report Africa, this growth record placed the continent as the second-fastest growing tourism region in the world, with a growth rate of 5.6 per cent after Asia Pacific and against a 3.9 per cent global average growth rate.
Africa received 67 million international tourist arrivals in 2018, to record a +7 per cent increase from 63 million arrivals in 2017 and 58 million in 2016. This gradual increase is attributed to the affordability and ease of travel especially within the continent, with spending among domestic travelers accounting for 56 per cent as compared to 44 per cent international expenditure.
Additionally, leisure travel remains an important component of Africa’s tourism industry, taking up a majority 71 per cent of the tourist expenditure in 2018.
Jumia’s Head of Travel, Estelle Verdier, noted that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) is expected to further boost domestic travel.
“To realize the full potential gains will require cooperation from all industry players. Governments have to be willing to eliminate visa requirements for African nationals traveling to their countries. Ministries and other responsible partner organizations should create campaigns that will promote their local travel destinations and tourism offerings to attract more regional travelers. At Jumia, we will continue to offer diversified products at affordable prices including resident rates for regional travelers booking through our platform,” she said.
The report, now in its third edition, shows that while pay-at-hotel remained the most popular mode of payment among travelers booking via Jumia’s travel platform, its percentage use went down from 65 per cent in 2018 to 62 per cent in 2019…Read more>>
