China and Africa see expanded tourism cooperation
China and African nations are witnessing an exciting surge in tourism cooperation, with more Chinese tourists visiting the continent and joint efforts to strengthen capacity building in the industry. During this year's May Day holiday, an increasing number of Chinese travellers chose to explore destinations like the pyramids in Egypt and the vast plains of Kenya.
According to the World Tourism Organisation, international tourist arrivals in Africa hit 66.4 million in 2023, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 39.6 million visits. Analysts attribute this strong momentum to measures implemented by African countries to boost regional economic development through tourism.
Chinese online travel platforms reported a significant rise in bookings for African destinations like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, and Mauritius during the holiday period, catering to young travellers seeking new experiences. South Africa and Tanzania also witnessed a substantial year-on-year increase in Chinese tourist arrivals.
Recognising the complementary strengths, China and African nations are jointly enhancing tourism capacity through training programs, sharing expertise in areas like policy, development, management, and cultural integration. With deepening cooperation under China's Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to boost connectivity and economic integration, both sides are actively promoting visa facilitation, increasing direct flights, enhancing safety and quality, and developing tourism routes, yielding fruitful results.
Source: People's Daily Online