Technology start-ups to boost African tourism
Technology start-ups are flourishing across Africa which is helping to boost the economy and offer a fresh image to international tourists, reveals the World Travel Market (WTM) Global Trends Report 2015, in association with Euromonitor International, released in London early November.
According to the World Bank, over half of the countries in Africa now have at least one tech hub with investments in these tech hubs doubling last year, reaching US$27 million. Earlier this year, US President, Barack Obama, paid a visit to the Start-up conference in Kenya which aims to support Africa’s inventors, entrepreneurs, and future business leaders.
Two examples of these ‘aspiring Silicon Valleys’ in Africa are Hope City in Ghana and the Konza Technology City in Kenya. To be successful these hubs must have investments in infrastructure, including transportation and education. All of the new technology cities have plans for hotel developments, which hold potential for both local and international properties.
The travel industry is likely to reap the benefits of technology start-ups with increased domestic, regional and international business travel to a variety of countries in Africa. Business air arrivals are expected to post a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5% for South Africa and 6% for Kenya over 2014-2019, according to Euromonitor International.
The increase of business visitors to the continent, due to the tech hubs, is likely to have a knock-on effect and encourage more leisure tourists as facilities are upgraded and improved.
Due to the greater visitors, there is also an increasing number of travel start-ups including Hotels.ng, Nigeria’s largest online hotel booking site. Mark Essien, CEO, Hotels.ng believes that the travel industry is benefiting from the increasing number of technology start-ups.
“The growing technology sector in Africa is helping to expand the travel industry. Easier online discovery combined with growing consumer confidence in online bookings has made it extremely straightforward for us to cater directly to travelers’ needs,” said Essien.
Another company, AwesomeSouthAfrica.com, has created an app that caters specifically to tourists and locals by using location-based data to find restaurants, hotels, and activities in their vicinity.
World Travel Market, Senior Director, Simon Press said: “The introduction of technology hubs in Africa can have a massive knock-on effect for the whole continent.”
“Not only do they provide a huge increase in jobs and boost economies but it benefits the whole travel industry with increased flights and hotel bookings.”
Caroline Bremner, Head of Travel at Euromonitor International, added: “With technology start-ups flourishing across the continent, Africa is entering a new era of innovation leading to greater economic and social benefits. The technology start-ups will also help change the perception of the continent to international tourists.”
Source: eTN; a media partner for WTM.
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
