Sports tourism: an engine for Africa's recovery and growth

17-12-24

Tourism in Africa has shown surprising resilience, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. According to the latest World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) barometer, international arrivals to the continent increased by 6% compared to 2019. Some prominent destinations, such as Tanzania, have recorded tourism growth of close to 50% over the same period, underscoring Africa's growing attractiveness on the global stage.

In this context, sports tourism is positioned as a key opportunity to consolidate and expand this growth. This segment, valued at approximately $610 billion worldwide, is growing at an annual rate of 17.5%, consolidating its position as one of the fastest developing sectors within the tourism industry. This overall growth highlights Africa's potential to capitalize on sports tourism as a way to diversify its economy, improve its competitiveness and generate significant revenues.