TOURISM GROWING FASTEST IN AFRICA

TOURISM in Africa is said to be growing at the fastest rate in the world.
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), tourism across the African continent is growing at 10%.

In response to the “tremendous attention” the continent received at the World Travel Market 2007 Exhibition held in London recently, Africa Investor — a specialist investment communications firm — will launch 11 “tourism investor awards” to recognise initiatives and investments that are said to change the face of tourism in Africa, according to Professor Geoffrey Lipman, assistant secretary general of UNWTO and chair of the tourism investor awards judging panel.

The awards ceremony will take place in February 2009 at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Lipman said yesterday, “These awards are the only initiative designed to recognise the achievement of those businesses, governments, organisations and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the growth of sustainable tourism investment in Africa.
“The tourism investor awards are designed to showcase Africa’s opportunities and achievements to the rest of the world, collectively raise awareness about Africa as a tourist destination and reward those groups developing the African tourism industry as a vehicle to drive sustainable economic growth.

“These awards are the first of their kind and are pioneering tourism investment recognition and attracting international interest”.

The awards will be made in the following 11 categories: Tourism Investment Programme of the Year, Business Resort of the Year, Tourism Promotion Agency of the Year, Hospitality Management Team of the Year, Sustainable Tourism Investment of the Year, Best Initiative in Facilitating SME Tourism Investment, Hotel Investment of the Year, Tourism Investment Advisor of the Year, Business Airline of the Year, Ti 2010 Legacy Investment of the Year and Business Travel Insurer of the Year.

For more information, visit www.africa-investor.com or contact the Africa Investor Tourism Investor Awards Secretariat.
nerissag@witness.co.za