MADRID - Tourism in Africa is on track to recover pre-pandemic levels in 2024 following a strong rebound in 2023, according to data by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Barometer.
Some 66.4 million international visitor arrivals were counted for Africa in 2023, edging closer to 2019’s pre-pandemic figure of 69.1 million. That was driven by “robust demand” from European markets, says UNWTO.
An estimated 39.6 million international tourists visited destinations in sub-Saharan Africa in 2023, equivalent to a roughly 90% recovery from 2019. Ethiopia and Tanzania (pictured below) saw the strongest recoveries in the region.
Given the positive trend, the UNWTO forecasts that growth above 2019 levels will depend on how various countries address their existing economic and geopolitical challenges.
For example, in a bid to attract regional and international tourists, more African countries are changing their visa regimes to improve ease of traveling.
So far, Rwanda, Benin, The Gambia, Seychelles, and Kenya have eliminated visa requirements for African travelers.
The UNWTO also plans to showcase more rural tourism destinations with cultural and natural assets in Africa through initiatives such as the “Best Tourism Villages.”
