… world’s foremost tourism event
By Ebi Kesiena
Zimbabwe’s tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, is currently leading a high-level delegation to the 43rd annual World Travel Market (WTM) in London, widely regarded as the foremost event in the global tourism industry.
The three-day international event, scheduled to hold from November 6 to 8, has drawn participants from across the world’s tourism sector to explore business opportunities and innovative ideas.
According to Juliette Losardo, the Exhibition Director of World Travel Market London, the enormous potential of Africa as both a destination for domestic and international travellers cannot be over emphasized.
Losardo noted that Africa’s significance as a source market for tourists venturing to other global destinations is continually growing, adding that WTM London has reaffirmed its dedication to supporting the region’s tourism industry and promoting the positive impact of tourism on a global scale.
As part of the festivities, a new report was unveiled to coincide with the exhibition, highlighting that major destinations and source markets throughout Africa are projected to surpass pre-pandemic values in terms of value by the end of 2023, largely driven by domestic tourism.
The WTM Global Travel Report, produced in collaboration with Tourism Economics, was released to mark the commencement of this year’s WTM London, which is renowned as the most influential gathering in the travel and tourism industry.
The report’s predictions for 2023 indicate that international inbound leisure travel to Africa is expected to decrease in terms of volume compared to 2019. Nevertheless, the value of these trips is predicted to be significantly higher, with a 103 percent increase compared to the value recorded in 2019.
Furthermore, the report indicates that it is estimated that approximately 43 million visitors will explore the African continent in 2023, representing a 13 percent decrease from the 49 million guests who visited in 2019. Despite the decline in visitor numbers, the economic worth of these visits has surged substantially.
The 43rd edition of the World Travel Market in London promises to be a pivotal event in shaping the future of the tourism industry, with Zimbabwe taking an active role in the global dialogue.
