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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