Global Economic Crisis Taking Toll on Africa Tourism

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 12, 2009 -- Nairobi, Kenya, February 09, 2009 – Africa tourism industry is a major casualty of the the current global economic crunch. Since mid last year, when major world markets begun to plummet, international tourist arrivals in Africa have been on a decline.

"All source markets for Africa are affected, especially the USA , therefore the recovery will be painfully slow. Creative Marketing to the right target group and positive approach to Africa 's source market can speed up the process." he said.

"Tourism industry is an integral component of the global economy and it must work hard – more so in pricing- to counter the outbreak of global economic volatility", he said. "Those tourism and hospitality businesses which will survive and indeed thrive in the months ahead are those which can adapt to service travellers on a tighter budget," adds Mr Strauss.

"Although most travel and tourism involves discretionary expense, people continue to travel even during tough economic times." says Nellie Ochanda, a director of the company "However, people who continue to travel during hard economic times do so differently from the way they do during times of economic buoyancy.

"People will want to get away from home and travel will remain part of the way people do business. However, travelers are likely to be "quite careful and cautious" when forking out their hard-earned money," she added. "Moreover, despite the current economic environment, most people worldwide will continue earn income from their jobs. A majority will want to take vacations, others will go for honeymoons and cross-border illicit affairs will still continue."

The optimistic growth forecasts of tourism associations such as the WTTC, UNWTO and PASTA will almost certainly require some revision but tourism will survive this challenge as it has overcome a wide range of challenges since the year 2000.

The 2008 international tourism decline came following four years of unprecedented positive results boosted by a buoyant world economy. From 2004 to 2007, international tourist arrivals grew at the extraordinary rate of 7 per cent annually, substantially above the long-term trend of 4 per cent, driven by a prosperous world economy.

About Kenya One Tours:

Africa safari     africa tourism     Africa Travel