Scaling up Africa's tourism sector

As the globe marks the World Tourism Day, the prospects for Africa's tourism sector remain promising amidst the challenges posed by the deadly m-pox virus. CNBC Africa was joined by Kayode Adebayo, Founder and CEO of Ckrowd.com in Ibadan, Nigeria, to discuss the current state of tourism in Africa. Adebayo highlighted the growing potential of tourism in Africa, emphasizing the need for cultural products, such as wildlife, music, and talent tourism, to attract visitors to the continent. He noted that Africa is on the right path to becoming a leader in tourism, but certain key steps need to be taken to unlock its full potential. Adebayo also addressed the importance of promoting sustainability and culture in the tourism sector, urging African countries to focus on soft power and intellectual property to create scalable and attractive tourist destinations. He emphasized the need for both the private and public sectors to collaborate in developing the necessary infrastructure and funding to drive the growth of the tourism industry in Africa. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and the m-pox virus, Adebayo expressed optimism about Africa's ability to leverage its human capital and natural resources to boost tourism and economic opportunities. He called for increased connectivity within Africa and a strategic focus on each country's comparative advantages to attract global visitors to the continent. Adebayo's insights shed light on the challenges and opportunities facing Africa's tourism sector, highlighting the importance of a collaborative and strategic approach to realize the continent's tourism potential.