Trade routes established following the colonial lineage have been directed mainly towards outside of Africa than towards neighbors in almost all countries in the continent. As much as it is easier and less expensive to trade goods and services to other continents than within, intercontinental travel and cultural interactions have not grown as needed despite the fact that there is a continental and global aspirations to maximize it. It is no secret that the real and perceived similarity of culture and values established in historical circumstances and direction of logistics makes it sound easier to travel outside of the continent than the country nearby in almost every country in the continent.
At a time when the continent is bullish on continental integration, be it trade or political, transforming and promoting intercontinental tourism can be a force for good in facilitating that aspiration. When people perceive relatable values and aspirations, it gives them comfort not just to travel but also trade among themselves.
Read More: የሀገር ውስጥ ጉዞንና ጉብኝትን ማሳደግ ለኢትዮጵያ ህልውናም ወሳኝ ነው
Even after a deadly confrontation for many years, Ethiopians, for example, still perceived Eritreans close to home and Vis versa, and essentially it is the perception that people in both countries think they have relatable culture and values beyond current political dynamics. And it is all similar in other countries.
By redirecting or restructuring destination, guiding, accommodation, cross border cooperation and travel policy tools, for example, it is possible to promote travel and tourism and the cultural exchange among Africans. It is not as such the countries have so differing cultural perspectives and values but due to the fact that the historical trend has not been supportive enough to travel within the continent.
Driven by the social media interactions, studies are showing that there is a growing interest and tendency from the African youth to travel to countries nearby and within the continent. Capturing and supporting that momentum through policy tools such as granting Visa free movement of people across the continent, local ( cross country) currency exchange and knowledge and experience sharing on destinations, values and cultural perspectives, it is possible to create the ease and inspire further exploration in the continent, and it is doable. As people in the continent discover the continent’s diverse and rich historical, natural, religious and cultural sites and life styles, the possibility of creating cultural exchange will be huge, and in consequence, the ease for communication and trading.
Read More: Ethiopian Government Challenges 1,000,000 Ethiopians To Come Home For A Christmas Holiday Season
It is apparent that cross country innovations everywhere come to being due to the fact that people traveling to new countries and markets observe opportunities, and it is no different in Africa. As we travel, we learn and as we learn we create opportunities beyond tourism and the continent.
The potential for continent wide tourism remains untapped. It is part of aspiration 5 of agenda 2063 which seeks to create an Africa with strong cultural, identity, common heritage, values and ethics. The more we know each other, the more we are able to cooperate and resist the forces that seek to divide and undermine us.
ABIY AHMED (PHD), PM ETHIOPIA, IN HIS WELCOMING REMARKS AT THE 35TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE AU ASSEMBLY
Achieving AU Agenda 2063 Aspiration 5: To see Africa with strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics, currently standing at just 16%, calls for more travel and cultural exchanges among the people within the continent. The success in aspiration 5 will in turn support Aspiration 2: to see an integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of pan Africanism and vision of African renaissance.
So, the strategic direction is already there except that the policy tools are required to realistically redirected and be in action. COVID-19 pandemic is also a blessing in disguise to take an informed decision and promote local tourism, all in the context of Africa.
Read More: Against All Odds, Ethiopia Established A New Ministry To Revitalize Tourism.
The latest research from WTTC shows that as the world finally begins to recover from the pandemic, the tourism’s contribution to both the global economy and employment could reach almost pre-pandemic levels in 2022, $9.2 trillion economy and 58 million jobs, globally.
The open-ended big question remaining is how far Africa can commit itself and realize its fair share in intercontinental tourism and help facilitate cultural exchanges and trade integration in its own back yard?
As Afro Experience, we are committed to play a constructive role in educating people through travel primarily focusing on Ethiopia and Africa.
