From Kenyan safari camps to the luxury lodges in South Africa, most of Africa’s tourism industry has been crippled by a concomitant drop in demand due to Covid 19. These threats are real, and we can’t sweep them under the rug as “overblown.” Many tourists would rather stay home than risk the dangers posed by the pandemic—and they have every right to do so. However, there are some signs that the African tourism industry is starting to recover from Covid. For one, African countries have been swift to put in place travel restrictions and other safety measures in an effort to contain the virus. This is reassuring to potential tourists, who now know that their health will be taken into consideration. Additionally, some countries are starting to see an uptick in tourism numbers as the pandemic starts to wane in other parts of the world. Kenya, for example, saw an increase in tourism numbers in 2022 compared to 2020. In that light, this article will briefly provide you with other insights into how the African travel market is recovering from Covid 19.
The use of mobile money
The use of mobile money has increased in Africa as a result of covid. With this, it has become possible for people to pay for goods and services on the go. This means that people can now travel around the continent without worrying about carrying large amounts of cash. Mobile money also allows people to make payments in remote areas, which was impossible before covid hit Africa. The mobile money system has, in fact, been responsible for bringing down poverty levels in several countries in Africa.
Improving their products and services
Some African countries have worked on improving the quality of their tourist attractions, such as building new hotels and resorts to accommodate tourists. Other countries have been working on reducing the cost for tourists to visit their destinations. Many countries are offering alternative services that are less expensive than conventional ones, like tours, food, and accommodation services. They also encourage travel agents and tour operators to promote these alternative services so that they can attract more tourists to their countries. Additionally, they are also offering refunds and rescheduling for those who have to cancel their trip.
Investing in new technologies
The African tourism industry is investing in new technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence to improve their communication with customers. For example, Kenya is using drones to map tourist destinations and create virtual tours, and Botswana is using AI to improve customer service and create personalized itineraries. They are now offering online check-in and virtual tours to help guests feel more comfortable about their upcoming trips.
Increased efforts to educate people about Covid
This is done through television broadcasts, radio broadcasts, or even billboards placed around major African cities. The hope is that this will help educate people, so they are less likely to contract Covid and other diseases. Also, some airlines have held discussions with travelers to ensure they are aware of Covid and how it can be prevented. In addition, hotels and restaurants in Africa have been providing free meals for those infected with the disease. The hotels also allow clean rooms for those still suffering from Covid. In addition, many museums and cultural centers have been offering free admission for those suffering from Covid. To help promote African tourism, governments have also been working on creating more programs aimed at educating travelers about the risks associated with Covid. For example, most African countries have created websites where people can find out more information about Covid and how they can protect themselves from getting infected.
Increasing the use of Online Platforms and marketing strategies
Social media has become very popular recently, especially with young people. They use it to express their thoughts and feelings about everything they are going through. Social media has made it easier for people to share news and events and connect with others via social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. This helps them feel more connected to their friends and loved ones back home, which helps them feel more comfortable traveling overseas. This is also how some countries have been able to get back on their feet after Covid. Most African countries are using social media platforms to market their tourism products. For example, the Kenya Tourism Board has a Twitter account where they post photos and videos of the different tourist destinations in Kenya. Also, the South African Tourism Board has a website that provides information on the different tourist destinations in South Africa and the activities that can be undertaken while there. This helps to promote African tourism and attract tourists from all over the world. They are also developing new marketing strategies. For example, the Tanzania Tourist Board is partnering with airlines to offer free flights to tourists who book a tour package. Additionally, the board is working with tour operators to create promotional packages that include free or discounted airfare, hotel stays, and other activities. This strategy aims to attract tourists who may have been hesitant to travel to Africa due to the pandemic.
If you’re reading this blog post, it’s because you are at least a little bit interested in African tourism. Perhaps you’re thinking about working with an African travel company, or perhaps you’re organizing your first trip to the continent if you’ve never been before. Either way, African tourism has a long journey ahead of it, but it would be foolish not to acknowledge the signs of recovery from Covid 19. The renewed interest from African nations in the tourism industry has been a blessing for the continent, although there is still much work to be done. As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will African tourism. However, with its rich history and untapped resources, it’s only a matter of time before Africa reclaims its place. Africa is pushing back against the negative perception, and the rest of the world should take notice.
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