The African Union, AU, says the tourism sector supports about 21 million jobs in Africa with a value of over $160 million, exceeding manufacturing and banking sectors combined. So says the AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Tourism, Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid.
Dr. Abou-Zeid, who made this known at the just- concluded 61st UN World Tourism Organisation, UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa Conference in Abuja, described tourism as an engine for inclusive growth and economic development on the continent.
His words: “In the African continent, tourism supports about 21 million jobs translating to one in 14 jobs; this is how important tourism is. That is why we are making sure it takes its due place”.
The UN Tourism expert put the value of the industry now at over $160 billion, enthusing that this accounts for almost eight per cent of Gross Domestic Product, by far exceeding the contributions from manufacturing and banking sectors.
Dr. Abou-Zeid pointed out that the “tourism industry accounts for more than six per cent of the total investments valued at $29 billion and employs over 20 million people, hence accounting for 6.5 per cent of the total work force”.
