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Tourism seeks a more positive role in sustainable development

2010-03-11

Africa is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination and figures by the UN World Tourism Organization show the continent will show an average growth rate of over five percent per year by 2020.

But Burghard Rauschelbach, head of the tourism and development program at the German Association for Technical Cooperation GTZ, said that such figures do not accurately reflect the realities of tourism in every African country.

“Tourism activity for sub-Saharan Africa increased, but it’s a matter of the destination and country,” Rauschelbach told Deutsche Welle.

Gambia, Senegal, the Seychelles and Swaziland saw a decrease in visitors, for example. Tourism increased in South Africa, which captures about one-third of the 30 million visitors to sub-Saharan Africa.

Rauschelbach said South Africa’s popularity was due its “variety for different target groups.” The country offered safaris, adventure, cultural and beach holidays, as well as ecotourism.