Infrastructure, visa policy top experts’ demand list to boost Africa’s tourism

L-R: Ambassador Ikechi Uko, organiser, Akwaaba African Travel Market; Ahmed Naaman from Dodi Travels Ghana; Edi Lawani,  Kuruku Nigeria; Adama Bah, The Gambia Tourism; Bayo Omomowo, head, information technology, MoMo PSB, MTN Nigeria; and Davidson Mugisha, from Rwanda, during a panel discussion at the 20th Akwaaba AfTM, recently

Sade Williams/Business a.m.

Tourism and hospitality stakeholders have called on African governments to develop infrastructure that are very critical to boosting tourism on the continent.

The experts, who were panellists during discussion on how Africa’s tourism sector can be developed, at the recently concluded 20th Akwaaba African Travel Markets, at Eko Hotels and Suits, Lagos, said there must be deliberate efforts to develop community tourism as well as ease stringent visa policy on the continent.

Setting the tone for the discussion, Akinbulejo Onabolu, head, enterprise segment, MTN Nigeria, in a presentation, listed issues such as digital divide and limited Internet access, limited transportation, inadequate facilities and lack of basic amenities such as good roads,  water, electricity as those besetting tourism on the continent.

According to Onabolu, “Technology plays a vital role in addressing the many challenges,” adding that good marketing and promotion of tourists’ products, sustainability initiatives and good payment platforms and solutions will turn the sector around.

Bayo Omomowo, head, information technology, MoMo PSB, MTN, also stressed the need for seamless payment platforms for tourists at any location on the continent,  saying “technology will enhance tourism discovery.”

Ahmed Naaman of Dodo Travels in Ghana and Davidson Mugisha from Rwanda, spoke in the same direction by urging African governments to ease visa rules and policy.

“Visa issuance [has been] a major issue for the past 20 years, for tourists. There is a need to lower exorbitant visa processing fees and review some policies,” Naaman said.

Edi Lawani, chief executive officer, Kuruku Nigeria, called for concerted efforts to promote the sector.

He wants stakeholders to prevail on the government to make policies that would in turn create an enabling environment for the sector to thrive.

“We are only scratching the surface, we need to engage the government,” he said.

Adama Bah of The Gambia Tourism decried lack of implementation of some good policies by African governments, saying the continent can convene World Travel Market if it gets its acts together.

“We have a problem of lack of or partial implementation of Blueprints in Africa,  otherwise, if we get the support of the African Union, we will ensure we have a Pan African Travel market because our biggest asset is our culture. Also, the government must support the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises,” Bah said.