African tourism grows six percent

Cape Town
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Africa saw a six percent increase in tourism arrivals in the first quarter of 2018 according to recently released figures from the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

Building upon impressive figures for H2 2017 Sub-Saharan nations saw a six percent rise, North Africa recorded growth of four percent and overall six per- cent more international visitors were welcomed throughout the continent on the same period the year prior.

In whole-year 2017, Africa surpassed its counterparts to record a nine percent increase in international arrivals, roughly some 63m visitors. Performances for 2018 have so far exceeded UNTWO’s own forecasts for the year, which still stand at between four and five percent growth.

The increase has been put down to growing confidence in the continent, according to a panel of travel experts and it is expected that this good feeling will extend into May-August period.


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