Africa's tourism industry looks promising

Madam,

The %ill of 5ights details a set of sacrosanct socioeconomic rights – housing, education, healthcare, water, food, social security, among others – which the State must make available to all its citi]ens without fail.

These are the tools government was handed to restore and promote the dignity of thousands of our people.

POVERTY

With more than half of citi]ens living below the upper poverty line, the life of a poor liSwati is one of dependence and indignity. It is now a norm to hear that public hospitals have no medication and that some learners in the country go to school hungry and are unable to learn. Poorer children are forced to go to school hungry, and those wholly dependent on public health will not die of the illness that takes them to hospital, but of starvation.

These failures may be seen as anecdotal, however, they demonstrate that, while some have the financial means to buy their way out of relying on the

Madam,

As we ought to know, tourism is a vital driver of economic growth and job creation, and it can transform communities and improve people's lives at home and across the beautiful continent of Africa.

Despite the hurricane caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism is still a significant source of employment, providing many jobs in the travel and tourism sector. The sector is also crucial in generating foreign currency for the country.

INVEST

That is why I believe we must continue to invest in our tourism infrastructure, promote our unique cultural and natural heritage, and make it easier for tourists to visit our country by improving on the airlift connectivity.

Our bane of existence is improving the perception of safety and security. 0aybe it is time we have a specialised police unit to focus on tourism safety. failing government, most cannot. It is poor citi]ens who are without alternatives and end up worst affected.

URGENCY

There exists an increasing urgency to address poverty, inequality and unemployment and in turn restore dignity to those who have had their rights stolen. One way to do so is the injection of the mismanagement of public funds. We must be bold in this endeavour. The informal economy needs to be scrutinised and possibly

We need to innovate and adapt to remain competitive and relevant in the rapidly changing world of tourism. (mbracing digital technologies and promoting sustainable tourism practices are critical to achieving this.

As a public representative for many years, I have witnessed the immense impact that tourism can have on a country's economy and the lives of its citi]ens. That is why I strongly believe that collaboration across the African continent is of utmost importance in promoting tourism and realising its full potential. It is essential to extend tourism's benefits to individual countries and the entire African continent's people, and this can only be achieved through collaboration.

Africa's tourism sector is flourishing and diverse, offering a range of products and experiences that cater to travellers' needs and preferences. Tourism significantly contributes to the African economy, supporting over 24 million funded to uplift communities, and create new jobs and wealth for disadvantaged citi]ens.

The current state of (swatini is cause for great concern. However, with decisive action and a commitment to reform, our nation can overcome these challenges and chart a course towards a brighter future. It is our collective responsibility as emaSwati to demand better from our leaders and hold them accountable for their actions.

M M

jobs and accounting for 8.5 per cent of the continent's GDP. According to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Africa welcomed 45 million international tourists in 2022, compared to 68.8 million in 2019.Despite the pandemic's impact, tourism receipts to the continent in 2022 amounted to US$168 billion, up 38 per cent from the previous year, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). In 2019, before the pandemic, the travel and tourism sector's contribution to the region’s GDP was 6.8 per cent or US$182.4 billion.

CHALLENGES

Despite the challenges, the future of Africa's tourism industry looks promising, with international tourist arrivals expected to return to pre-pandemic levels in (urope and the 0iddle (ast this year, following a stronger than expected recovery in 2022. UNWTO's forward-looking scenarios for 2023 suggests that international tourist arrivals could reach 80 to 95 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

These numbers demonstrate the immense potential of tourism in Africa, not only as a revenue generator but also as a job creator and a catalyst for faster economic growth. These numbers highlight the immense potential for tourism to drive economic growth and job creation across Africa. Furthermore, tourism can transform communities and improve people's lives by providing jobs, sustaining livelihoods, and injecting foreign currency into the economy.

However, the benefits of tourism are not distributed equitably across the continent, and collaboration is essential in promoting tourism and ensuring its benefits are shared more fairly.

Cooperation across the continent can help address issues such as improved air connectivity, better infrastructure, and increased access to finance. Such collaboration can lead to increased investment in the industry and ultimately result in more significant job creation and economic growth. After all, reciprocity is the recipe for prosperity.

Patricia