The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that the African travel and tourism sector could add $168-billion to the continent’s economy and create more than 18-million new jobs, depending on three key policies to unlock yearly growth of 6.5% in the sector.

The WTTC, together with government technology services provider VFS Global, finds in a report on the continent’s travel and tourism sector that it welcomed 84-million international travellers in 2019, which contributed $186-billion to the continent’s economy.

The WTTC and VFS have partnered to uncover the extensive opportunities that travel and tourism offers in Africa, including by publishing a report on their findings.

Currently, the African travel and tourism sector provides employment to 25-million people, which comprises 5.6% of all jobs in the region.

The sector has already more than doubled since 2000, with more potential that can be unlocked with the right policies.

The WTTC suggests a policy package for the continent focused on improving growth, based on air infrastructure, visa facilitation and tourism marketing.

“Africa needs simplified visa processes, better air connectivity within the continent and marketing campaigns to highlight the wealth of destinations in this continent,” said WTTC president and CEO Julia Simpson during a Global Summit hosted in Kigali, Rwanda, on November 7.

The report published by the two organisations sets out the top destinations for investment, country rankings and projected growth, and case studies to help plan and invest strategically.

For policymakers, the organisations highlight the countries that are most dependent on tourism in Africa, unpack the impact of past shocks, discuss the critical need for upskilling in the sector, explain the role of investment in infrastructure and connectivity as well as suggest effective visa processing models.

For leaders in sustainability and climate action, the WTTC analysed the extent of greenhouse-gas emissions from the travel and tourism sector, and listed threats to the continent’s biodiversity hotspots.