Youth called to get involved in tourism

An urgent call for inclusive and sustainable growth in Africa’s tourism industry was sounded at the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge and Summit 2023, which kicked off at Swakopmund yesterday.

The summit focuses particularly on empowering the youth and addressing gender disparities.

In his keynote address, minister of environment, forestry and tourism Pohamba Shifeta highlighted the potential role of young Africans as transformational change-makers in the sector.

“Young people of Africa aim to become immediate future leaders of this important and profitable global travel and tourism sector,” Shifeta said.

According to data from the African Development Bank, the continent has the youngest population in the world, with about 200 million people aged between 15 and 24.

It was agreed by all the speakers that this demographic offers an unparalleled opportunity for transformation in a sector, which, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, contributed 8,5% to Africa’s gross domestic product in 2019.

“This African agenda for inclusive development can only be achieved with the inclusion of the youth and women in the tourism ecosystem,” Shifeta said.

Deputy executive director of environment, forestry and tourism Seimy Shidute highlighted significant hurdles faced by the Namibian youth seeking to enter the tourism sector.

“Limited access to information, resources, financial instruments and market opportunities are barriers limiting the optimal participation of the youth in the economic mainstream,” Shidute said.

The director of tourism and gaming, Sebulon Chicalu, illuminated the gender disparity in the tourism sector, citing a recent survey which indicated that women constitute a mere 12% of tourism professionals in Namibia.

Chicalu encouraged young women to consider opportunities in this field.

“We need more young ladies and female professionals in the role of tour guides in the industry,” he said.

The survey further showed that of the 536 participants involved in the tourism sector, nearly 60% are aged 55 and above, 17% are between the ages of 35 and 54, and only 16% are between 25 and 35.

Those aged 24 and below constitute a mere 6% of the workforce in the tourism sector.

“The industry may seem saturated with qualified senior people, but it is essential to recognise that their time is running out,” Chicalu said.

The director of the Africa Department at the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Elcia Grandcourt, presented the ‘UNWTO Agenda for Africa-Tourism for Inclusive Growth’, which aims to leverage tourism as a force for good, with youth and women empowerment as central pillars of sustainable tourism development.

“These changes, coupled with the growing demand for more sustainable tourism products and the surge in youth travel needs and experiences, call for innovative solutions worldwide,” Grandcourt said.

The summit, which was this year hosted by the Namibian government, drew about 500 in-person attendees and 1 500 virtual participants from across Africa and around the globe.

According to Africa Tourism Partners, the organisers of the event, this year’s turnout exceeded the previous year’s attendance by 30%, indicating a growing interest in innovative tourism projects and discussions.

The primary objective of the summit is to empower African youths in the travel and tourism industry by fostering innovation, digital transformation, competitiveness, employment, resilience and sustainable cultural and natural heritage protection.

It also serves as a unique pan-African platform that invites aspiring youths and start-ups in tourism to network and market.

It offers an opportunity for participants to present their innovative projects to the global marketplace, with the hope of securing much-needed funding, partnership and mentorship support.

In parallel with the summit, the Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge invites innovative projects and solutions related to the travel and tourism industry.

A panel of industry leaders reviews these entries, and shortlisted candidates then receive introductions to industry experts for mentorship and potential funders for support and/or partnerships.