Multi-country travel set to boost African tourism
Africa’s tourism is set to benefit from a global trend towards multi-country travel.
By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions
More visitors to Africa are looking to explore different countries in a single trip. This emerging travel pattern was evident at Africa’s Travel Indaba, where I spoke to a range of buyers, agents and tour operators on behalf of media company WhyAfrica recently.
This international event was held in Durban in the KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa.
The multi-country trend is set to boost regional travel and investment in Africa’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
Maximising long-haul flights
According to tour operator Go2Africa, combined Botswana-Namibia-Zambia-Zimbabwe and combined Kenya-Tanzania-Rwanda safaris are attracting increasing international tourists.
In an article published by the Travel Indaba’s Daily News, Harriet Akinyi writes that travellers want to maximise their experience to get more from one long-haul flight.
In addition, better infrastructure has improved regional connectivity and reduced friction between destinations. Moreover, crossing borders has become much easier.
Africa’s unique tourism ecosystems
“Industry data shows that multi-destination trips already account for more than 30% of international travel. Africa is among the biggest beneficiaries because of its unique transboundary tourism ecosystems.
“In Africa, ecosystems are not confined by political borders. Wildlife corridors stretch between countries, river systems connect landscapes and cultural diversity shifts seamlessly from one region to another,” writes Akinyi.
Improved connectivity
According to Harriet Sobey, Founder and MD of Chester & Rose, cross-border itineraries have become much easier due to improved connectivity.
“With direct routes linking hubs such as Maun, Windhoek, Victoria Falls and Livingstone, it is easier than ever to combine countries in one itinerary,” says Sobey.
“Travellers can now combine Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Namibia’s desert landscapes, Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls and South Africa’s Cape Town with one journey.”
Endorphin Expeditions geared for new trends
This is a major trend that we’ve been monitoring at WhyAfrica’s sister company tour operator Endorphin Expeditions for several years. Endorphin’s specialised overland expeditions take clients through multiple countries and remote regions of Africa.
Endorphin’s tours are based on the same winning recipe as WhyAfrica’s overland road trips through Africa during which we visit project sites in various economic sectors, some tourist attractions and a the same time complete an adventure activity or two.
We also interview decision makers and experts during these trips.
Read more about WhyAfrica’s Road trips and Endorphin Expeditions’ new investor tours on the WhyAfrica website, your one-stop shop for on the ground information and business intelligence about Africa.
Remember that WhyAfrica members get significant discounts when they book tours with Endorphin Expeditions.
Image: Tourism ecosystems span multiple countries in Africa. Image credit: Leon Louw for WhyAfrica.
Multi-country travel set to boost African tourism