Tourism global value chains and Africa
Tourism is an important driver of economic growth around the world. While Europe remains the most visited continent in the world, Asia Pacific and Africa had the highest growth rates in visitors over the decade spanning 2005–14. With a wide array of animals and picturesque landscapes, Africa has long captured the imagination of international leisure travellers. In more recent years, the growing diversity of experiences in countries such as South Africa has helped fuel a record number of visitors. While the economic importance of tourism to Africa is a central characteristic throughout the continent, there is variance in its profile at both the regional and country levels. North Africa is the most vibrant tourism destination on the continent. Southern Africa has the second largest total tourism receipts behind North Africa, with its relatively high leisure spending. Central Africa, meanwhile, has the most underdeveloped tourism industry in the world.
