Tourism can be a fundamental tool for boosting development in many regions of Africa. The International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR), together with the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) are hosting the first ever edition of INVESTOUR next 21 January as part of the parallel commercial activities taking place within the trade fair. Their common goal is to stimulate Spanish tourism investment in Africa thus contributing to the improvement of the conditions of life in many communities.
Luís Eduardo Cortés, chairman of IFEMA Executive Committee, FITUR’s organising body, participated last 3 October in a WTO Commission for Africa held in Astana (Kazakhstan). At the meeting before the principal African tourism ministers and responsible personalities, Cortés reiterated the benefits that this initiative could contribute to the economy of their territories: “Tourism is one of the sectors with the greatest impact on the socio-economic development of countries and regions. Without a doubt, contributing to this evolution is the main objective of INVESTOUR, which will be presenting Africa’s enormous tourism potential to experienced Spanish entrepreneurs”. During the session, at which FITUR director Ana Larrañaga was also present, the chairman of IFEMA also stressed the Spanish outbound tourism market potential which “in spite of the current world recession, has seen a 6.9% increase in travel to foreign countries during the first seven months of the year”.
During his speech, Cortés assured attendees that IFEMA had already presented the project to the principal business associations (the CEOE, the CEIM and the the Madrid Chamber of Commerce and Industry among others) “who have all declared their sincere enthusiasm towards the proposal”. Cortés then encouraged representatives of the main African Nations to participate in INVESTOUR highlighting the fact that “Togo, Morocco, Tunisia and Cameroon have all already confirmed their presence. I would like to invite you to be next in joining this project and demonstrate all the potential of your tourism offer at INVESTOUR”.
