High travel costs threaten Africa’s business tourism ambitions

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Bomas convention complex nears completion as Nairobi targets global conferences market

Rachael Mutabasi

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1 month agoRead nextOpens a fresh page.

Stakeholders called for countries to simplify visa requirements and improve air connections between African cities to make business travel easier and more affordable.

The cost of travelling between African countries is emerging as a major obstacle to the continent’s efforts to attract more international conferences, with industry players pointing to expensive air travel, visa restrictions and high taxes as barriers to the growth of business tourism.
Speaking at the Africa Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) Summit in Mombasa, stakeholders said Africa had invested in hotels, conference centres and other facilities needed to host major events, but delegates still faced difficulties getting to and moving between destinations.
They called for countries to simplify visa requirements and improve air connections between African cities to make business travel easier and more affordable.

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Participants said the cost of flights can influence where international organisers choose to hold conferences, particularly when delegates are travelling from different parts of the continent.
They also raised concerns over taxes and other charges that increase the cost of air travel and attendance at business events.
The summit heard that improving physical infrastructure alone would not be enough to increase Africa’s share of the international MICE market.

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Stakeholders said destinations also needed to make it easier for organisers and delegates to access them.
They called for a stronger convention bureau to market African destinations, identify potential events and coordinate bids for major conferences and exhibitions.
Industry players said successful bids require cooperation between governments and private companies, including investment in venues, accommodation, transport and destination marketing.
Kenya has conference facilities and hotels capable of hosting major international gatherings, but participants said the country would need to address connectivity, visa access and travel costs to strengthen its competitiveness.
For Mombasa, which is seeking to attract more business events, increased conference activity could provide additional business for hotels, restaurants, transport operators and other service providers.
The discussions at the summit therefore shifted attention from the availability of conference facilities to the wider challenge of getting delegates to African destinations.
Stakeholders said reducing travel barriers and improving connections between African countries would be critical if the continent is to attract more international meetings and generate greater economic activity from the MICE sector.

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