African tourism seeks better air connectivity
Stakeholders in Eastern and Southern Africa are urging stronger regional integration and improved air connectivity to unlock the region’s tourism potential, which received about 60 million international tourist arrivals in 2025. Geoffrey Manyara, an Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, presented these figures at the conclusion of the four-day Joint Session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts on 13 November. The sector contributed approximately US$102 billion to the continent’s gross domestic product and supported around 26% of tourism-related employment, with capital investment reaching US$14 billion.
Barriers to growth
Participants highlighted persistent barriers limiting expansion, including high travel costs and cumbersome visa requirements. Maureen Kahonge, Director of Commercial and Communications at the African Airlines Association, noted that only one in five city pairs in Africa has a direct daily flight, forcing many travellers to transit through destinations outside the continent. She emphasised that improving intra-African connectivity is essential for expanding tourism and trade.
By enhancing intra-African connectivity and reducing travel costs, more passengers will be able to move between destinations, increasing tourism receipts and supporting local economies, Kahonge said.
Kwakye Donkor, Chief Executive of African Tourism Partners, called for greater investment in tourism infrastructure and stronger political commitment to tourism development. He said tourism is one of the few sectors capable of generating large-scale employment and economic opportunities.
We need stronger advocacy and investment to ensure that tourism receives the attention it deserves in national development, Donkor said.
Localising the experience
Charmaine Matheus, Chief of Marketing at the Namibia Tourism Board, stressed the need for African destinations to differentiate themselves and leverage cultural tourism, sports tourism and creative industries to attract visitors. International travellers increasingly seek authentic experiences and meaningful connections with people and cultures, Matheus said.
Participants agreed that simplified visa regimes, implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market, better transport infrastructure and stronger collaboration between tourism and aviation stakeholders could significantly boost tourism flows across the continent.
They called on governments to move from policy discussions to implementation, recognising tourism as a catalyst for investment, trade, regional integration, and sustainable development.
