Africa’s Tourism Sector Loses $55 Billion to COVID-19 Pandemic
By Damilola Ekpo
The African Union has hinted that tourism destinations in Africa have collectively lost $55 billion in travel and tourism revenue.
This was disclosed by the African Union (AU) commissioner for infrastructure and energy, Amani Abou-Zeid, last Thursday during a news conference.
Amani explained that the aviation industry is badly hit. According to him, the ripple effect of lockdown measures adopted domestically and internationally, to combat coronavirus was a huge trigger for economic loss, as tourism generates about 10 percent of the GDP in Africa.
“We have 24 million African families whose livelihood is linked to travel and tourism,” Abou-Zeid said, adding the downturn had come in a year when Africa was expected to see an increase in travel and air transport.
Kenya has recorded a loss of $752 million since the outbreak of COVID-19, as disclosed by the Minister of Tourism, Najib Balala.
Photo courtesy of Valeriia Bugaiova.
Source: Ventures Africa (link opens in a new window)
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