Development of tourism industry within Africa region.

Destinations in Africa enjoy a privileged position in relation to the major tourist generating markets due mainly to their unique features, history as well as a wider range of products on offer. The strong awareness for conservation of the environment and the demand for exoticism by potential travelers translate in to increasing demand by an ever-growing number of foreigners. Accordingly there is need for destination to co-operate more closely in areas of product development, research, manpower development and training as well as exchange of tourism experts and tourism information.

It is also necessary to harmonize travel formalities with in the region so as to encourage free follow of visitors and maximization of benefits accruing from tourism interactions with in the region. Indeed such close co-operation can be forged and enhanced with in the framework of the existing regional economic grouping such as the Common market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comessa), Preferntial Trade Area ( PTA), Sadacc, East Africa Co-operation, Indian Ocean rim Association for regional co-operation.. These economic groupings can play a pivotal role in positioning Africa to be a major force in the envisaged tourism growth.

In the development, Promotion and marketing of our respective Offers we should always bear in mind the complementary nature of our products with in the region. Secondly although and by and large the countries with in the region are destination countries rather then tourist generating countries, there is a vast market for intra-regional tourism, which has not yet been fully tapped. this observation holds true for example for the Republic of Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Somalia, which incidentally share lot in common. How ever, the free flow of visitors from each country has been hampered by among other, travel formalities and failure to capitalize on our complementality.

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