Adventure tourism presents a significant opportunity for the tourism industry in Southern Africa and Africa, as highlighted by a panel discussion at WTM Africa on 03 April in the host City of Cape Town. The discussion brought together industry experts Julia Louw, Head of Leisure Tourism for the DMO unit Wesgro; Hannelie Du Toit, Chief Operating Officer SATSA; Andre Du Toit, Executive Head of New Business Development for the first Equity Insurance Group and Director at SATIB Insurance Brokers; and Quintin Smith, Founder of Bikes ‘n Wines, to discuss the potential for adventure tourism and the challenges facing the industry.
During the panel discussion, SATSA announced the release of its Adventure Tourism Self-Regulation Roadmap and Code of Good Practice documents for public comment. The draft Self-Regulation documents were developed in consultation with industry stakeholders and aim to provide a framework for adventure tourism operators to operate in a responsible and sustainable manner while promoting growth and development in the adventure tourism industry.
“We believe that the Adventure Tourism Self-Regulation documents will provide a clear framework for operators to follow, resulting in the raising of standards and producing credible products with which we can position Southern Africa as a top adventure destination,” said du Toit.
Africa is already recognised as a leading destination for thrill-seekers, and experts at the panel discussion predicted this trend will continue. The Southern African region offers numerous opportunities for adventure activities across the tourism value chain from big operators to the smaller SMMEs.
One untapped opportunity is sustainable cruise travel. This form of travel offers a unique and eco-friendly way to explore the continent’s diverse landscapes and cultures. With smaller cruise ships venturing into lesser-known towns, the concept of explorer cruising has gained momentum. This approach not only ensures that the cruise itself is environmentally responsible, but also supports local communities and economies by visiting smaller towns and promoting cultural exchange.
As adventure tourism continues to grow, new products and experiences will be created to transform the travel landscape, according to the panellists. This is already evident in rural areas where cultural activities are now included in tour itineraries, bringing new opportunities to those who live there.
Africa’s adventure tourism industry is poised for growth, with opportunities for innovation, job creation, and sustainable tourism products. The continent’s natural environments, wildlife habitats, and local communities must be protected through cooperation between governments and tour operators to ensure the sector’s continued success.
Africa Poised for Growth in Adventure Tourism Industry, says panel of experts at WTM Africa
Member states urged to institute debt management strategies to boost economic growth
African countries should institute effective debt management strategies to boost economic growth and avoid falling into the debt trap, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Director for Macroeconomics and Governance Division, Adam Elhiraika, has urged.
Opening a peer learning workshop on debt management strategies for member states being held in Lusaka, Zambia from April 3- 6 2023, Elhiraika said debt management was a challenge for African countries as debt becomes a significant source of funding for their economic growth and development.
“However, this provides an opportunity to effectively enact budgetary protection for various events more apparent in the foreseeable future,” Elhiraika said, adding that, “Efficient and effective debt management will allow debtor countries to take action to avoid the legacy of ‘too little, too late’ sovereign debt management and restructuring.”
Regulatory reforms will help attract private sector investment in Africa’s energy market
A timely regulatory overhaul of Africa’s fledgling electricity sector will attract private sector investment and ensure energy security on the continent, stakeholders meeting at an electricity dialogue, have agreed.
More than 600 million Africans have no access to electricity and Africa generates only 4% of the global energy. Despite vast opportunities in the development of the electricity sector in Africa, there is low private sector investment in energy infrastructure and service delivery, participants at the recent High-Level Public-Private Dialogue on Private Sector Investment in Electricity and Infrastructure Development in Africa, heard.
The two-day dialogue, hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the RES4Africa Foundation brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including policymakers, international organizations, and decision-makers working in energy and infrastructure. They discussed the changes needed in policy and regulatory frameworks to ensure adequate openness, attractiveness, and readiness of African markets to private investments.
ECA celebrates International French Language Day
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in collaboration with the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), its multilingualism partners and the Permanent Missions in Ethiopia, celebrated International French Language Day on 30 March 2023, at the United Nations Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Commemorated on 20 March each year – in reference to 20 March 1970, when the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation was created, which later became the OIF – the day was postponed this year due to the holding of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The theme of the 2023 edition, “321 million Francophones, billions of cultural contents”, aimed to promote creative imagination, Francophone artistic creativity and cultural diversity.
Opening the session, ECA’s Acting Executive Secretary, Antonio Pedro, highlighted the link between multilingualism and peace, stating that cultural diversity is at the centre of dialogue between people and cultures. Language and daily experiences serve as fertile ground for understanding, tolerance, crisis management and peace.
