Kwakye Donkor: How tourism can help grow African economies, boost intra-Africa travel

Africa's tourism sector has been experiencing rapid growth, outpacing all other regions in the world except Asia Pacific. Efforts are now being made to enhance domestic travel within the continent. Kwakye Donkor, CEO of Africa Tourism Partners, discussed the potential of this initiative to further fuel the sector's expansion in an interview with CNBC Africa. The key theme of the conversation revolved around leveraging tourism as a driver for economic growth and encouraging intra-Africa travel. Donkor emphasized the importance of connectivity, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange in facilitating easier movement across African countries. One of the primary challenges hindering the full potential of African tourism is the high cost of travel within the continent. Compared to inter-European flights, intra-Africa airfares remain prohibitively expensive due to exorbitant taxes and limited aviation infrastructure. Donkor highlighted ongoing efforts to address these obstacles, including the establishment of new airports and advocacy for tax reductions on airfares. He also stressed the significance of visa openness in promoting seamless travel across Africa, citing examples of countries like Rwanda and Ghana that have streamlined their visa procedures to attract more visitors. Moreover, climate change poses a growing concern for the tourism industry in Africa, as extreme weather events like floods and droughts can disrupt travel and necessitate resource allocation towards combating environmental challenges. Donkor underscored the importance of conservation efforts and sustainable practices to mitigate the impact of climate change on tourism. He emphasized the role of education in fostering environmental awareness and preserving Africa's natural and cultural heritage. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) emerged as a potential game-changer for intra-Africa travel, promising to enhance economic integration and cross-border cooperation. Donkor expressed optimism that the AfCFTA would lead to increased tourism opportunities by facilitating easier movement of people, goods, and services across African nations. He highlighted the significance of progressive policies, enhanced connectivity, and citizen engagement in realizing the full benefits of the trade agreement. The upcoming Africa Tourism Leadership Forum in Kigali aims to provide a platform for industry leaders to convene annually and address key issues impacting the sector's growth. Donkor emphasized the forum's role in fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange, and strategic planning to empower the next generation of tourism professionals and drive policy advocacy for industry development. In conclusion, Donkor's insights underscored the transformative potential of leveraging tourism and intra-Africa travel to stimulate economic growth, foster cultural exchange, and enhance sustainable development across the continent. By addressing challenges such as high travel costs, visa restrictions, and climate change, Africa can unlock new opportunities for tourism expansion and position itself as a competitive global destination.