The ‘Obama effect’ of a US President with African heritage, and the 2010 soccer World Cup have been credited with creating a surge of interest in Africa as a tourist destination.
The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) says Africa bucked the global trend in 2009 – it was the only continent to see a rise in the number of international tourist arrivals: up by 5 per cent.
That compared to a slump of 4 per cent in travel worldwide amid the economic crisis and the swine flu pandemic.
The head of the UNWTO, Taleb Rifai, told a tourism conference in Madrid:
“There has been a shift in the way people look at Africa. It’s now considered a serious destination for travellers from the major generating markets.”
Kenya’s tourist board says the fact that President Obama’s father was from Kenya has led to an increase in Americans visiting the country. And the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) says this year’s World Cup in South Africa will have an enormous effect.
“The World Cup is certainly the most exciting thing to happen to Africa, not just southern Africa,” said the ATTA’s head, Nigel Vere Nicoll. “All Africans are very proud that it’s going to be there.”
by Andy Moreton
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There’s nothing like a Presidential vacation to give a boost to tourism – at least that’s what Hawaii is hoping.
As many parts of the United States were facing heavy snow and wintry rain, the Obamas were enjoying the warmer climate of Kailua in Hawaii for their Christmas break. Tourism officials hope others will have seen them enjoying the sun and fun and decide to follow suit.
This is Mr Obama’s first trip as President to the state where he grew up. He spent last Christmas there as President–elect. The state visitors bureau has set up a ‘Barack Obama’s Hawaii’ page that entices tourists with images of him golfing, body surfing and strolling along the beach.
Tourism in Hawaii has dropped by about 5.5 per cent from last year. Rob Kay, who runs the ‘Obama’s Neighborhood’ website, said: “It’s hard to anticipate that his visit will bring any kind of boom, but it can’t hurt.”
by Andy Moreton
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President Obama’s visit to Ghana in West Africa last week was a bit of a whirlwind affair, but there will always be one permanent reminder of him in the capital, Accra.
The 18-room Hotel Obama, which opened on American Independence Day, is dedicated to him, and its room names include Michelle Obama, Martin Luther King, Joe Biden and The White House.
“I called it Hotel Obama because the President represents all that is possible in bridging ethnic and racial barriers,” said the Chief Executive of Town and Country Plaza, Kwame Owusu.
Ghana is hoping to push its credentials as a holiday destination in the wake of the President’s visit. It has fine beaches, lakes, wildlife in protected areas and many castles and forts.
Although Mr Obama’s visit was brief, the Minister of Tourism, Juliana Azumah-Mensah, called it ‘a chance in a lifetime’ to show the world what Ghana had to offer. The country’s hoping to attract a million visitors a year by 2012.
by Andy Moreton
Kenya is likely to reap considerable benefit in tourism from Barack Obama’s election as US President as people seek to trace his roots.
The country’s Tourism Minister, Najib Balala, is predicting a 10 to 15 per cent increase in the number of American visitors and says there will also be interest from Europe, particularly the UK.
Officials have already visited Obama’s late father’s birthplace - the once-sleepy village of Kogelo in the west of Kenya. The President-elect’s paternal grandmother and an uncle still live there.
“Kogelo is now in the international spotlight as a tourist attraction,” said Anastasia Wakesho, who chairs the Domestic Tourism Council. “As stakeholders, we are thinking of coming up with programmes to make the place attractive to local and foreign visitors.”
by Andy Moreton
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