To commemorate the fourth
edition of the Investment and Tourism Business Forum (INVESTOUR), this year’s
edition, INVESTOUR 2013, brought together representatives from 33 African
countries and over 50 Spanish entrepreneurs to address cooperation and business
opportunities between Spain and Africa.
An initiative of
UNWTO, the Madrid Tourism Fair Institution (IFEMA) and Casa Africa, INVESTOUR
2013 was held under the theme “Tourism Development in Africa: Challenges and
Opportunities”.
Celebrated on the occasion
of the Madrid International Tourism Fair (FITUR), the forum highlighted some of
the key competitive areas for tourism in the region – air connectivity,
investment, branding, and product development.
The b2b session, which serves as a business
platform for participants, attracted over 50 Spanish companies to explore
opportunities around 200 African tourism projects in areas such as hospitality,
transportation, education, know-how, and infrastructure.
“Bringing together
the public and private sectors with potential international partners,
represents a unique opportunity to reinforce business relations between Spain
and Africa and advance sustainable development in the continent,” said UNWTO
Secretary General, Taleb Rifai, opening INVESTOUR.
Against the
backdrop of international tourist arrivals growing by 6 percent in the region
in 2012, the event took place “in a moment in which Africa continues to strive
in the tourism map,” he added.
The importance of
the correct strategic planning in tourism to promote Africa’s development was
highlighted by the Minister of Tourism of Benin, Jean Michel Abimbola.
“The
diversification of the economy is the key to attract investment and preserve
the millenarian’s traditions through projects such as ecotourism and training,”
he said.
“Africa is a
destination and Africa is a market,” said the Minister of Tourism of South
Africa, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, echoing debates which underscored that in the
current economic circumstances, initiatives such as INVESTOUR can make a
difference both in promoting tourism development as well as in bringing new
opportunities to companies in Europe.
In closing the
event, the Minister of Tourism of Senegal, Youssou N’Dour, underscored that
INVESTOUR is “a unique opportunity for African countries to showcase their
tourism potential to Spanish investors and partners. Tourism is a sector that
can make a difference in our region, and, therefore, we will continue
supporting this important initiative in the future.”
Africa is one of
the fastest-growing tourism regions in the world. Between 2000 and 2012,
international tourist arrivals more than doubled (from 26 million to 52
million).
By 2030, UNWTO
forecasts this figure to reach 134 million.
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