Tourism in Africa is steadily bouncing back after the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

International arrivals on the continent have reached 96% of pre-pandemic levels, with North Africa performing particularly well. Between January and July 2023, arrivals in the region were 8% higher than the same period in 2019.

Worldwide, international tourism revenues recovered strongly, hitting $1trillion in 2022, a 50% increase in real terms compared with 2021. Within Africa, countries including Ethiopia (+28%), Tanzania (+19%) and Morocco (+15%) exceeded their pre-pandemic visitor numbers in the first seven months of 2023.

The UNWTO says the recovery reflects the continent’s resilience and underlines its growing role as a global tourism destination, offering important opportunities for economic growth and employment.

–ChannelAfrica–