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Welcome to Africa Tourism Recovery Summit

Africa’s tourism industry has been hit hard by COVID-19, with almost all international tourism grinding to a halt at the height of the pandemic in 2020. UNCTAD estimates this could cause a loss of more than $4 trillion to global GDP in 2020 and 2021. Demand is not expected to return to pre-COVID levels before 2023. In the wider context of declining economic security as a result of the pandemic, it is vital that both public and private sector stakeholders understand the role they can play in supporting the recovery of the tourism sector

SUSTAINABILITY

Defining and developing what sustainability means to tourism, from the environmentalconsiderations to the impact on local communities, travelers, businesses and governments

COLLABORATION

Partnering on initiatives that drive momentum and support the continued efforts to establish sustainable, innovative and thriving tourism industries

INNOVATION

Developing emerging market solutions to new world challenges to rebuild the tourism industry across Africa.

Partnership for African tourism

As the biggest investor in tourism globally, Saudi Arabia plays a vital role in supporting tourism strategies globally. The Kingdom is focused on prioritizing collaboration, innovation and sustainability across the sector. This session will focus on key learnings from Saudi’s experiences as both an emerging place-maker and as a tourism investor and will provide a view on how Saudi Arabia can work with the tourism leaders across Africa to maintain momentum towards establishing sustainable, innovative, and thriving tourism industries.

The Nairobi Action Plan

Emerging markets around the world rely heavily on tourism to boost GDP and economic growth. Africa offers untold potential when it comes to the tourism sector. At the same time, the continent has the fastest growing economy globally.