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.
According to industry analysts the crunch is particularly pinching middle-income travelers in developed countries, forcing them to forego overseas holidays. Most of the affected would-be travelers are based in the United States of America, Europe and Asia – countries that form the backbone of African tourism.
Kenya One Tours managing director Mr Karl-Heinz Straus says "Tourism is going through a time of uncertainty because of the worldwide recession triggered by the credit crunch. While travel will continue to grow long and medium term, for the next 12 to 18 months a slow down is to be expected because of job losses, less available income and increased saving."
"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:
Kenya One Tours; www.kenyaonetours.com, is a privately owned Kenyan Company, run by highly experienced Management Team, capable experts, knowledgeable and competent to handle all travel needs and requirements in East Africa . The directors Nellie Ochanda and Karl-Heinz Straus are members of SKAL International and have abundant wealth of knowledge and experience in tourism. Kenya One Tours is a member of Kenya Association of Operators (KATO) and Karl-Heinz was the Founder Member and Chairman of KATO Coast for the first eight years and continued for a further more years as a member of the Executive Committee Coast .
