By standards of the industry, 5.5 percent of annual growth rate is considerably fair as it is above the projected world annual average of 4.1 percent. The SADC report is compatible with predictions made by the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Tourism 2020 Vision, which had also predicted an overall growth of the industry. The WTO Tourism 2020 Vision predicted that international arrivals in the market would register over 1 billion tourists by the year 2010 and 1.56 billion by 2020.
“As regards Africa, international arrivals will more than double to reach 47 million in 2010 and 77 million in 2020,” says the report.
The most interesting target for Botswana would be the 2010 target as there has been rife speculation that the country would benefit from the 2010 world cup soccer tournament billed for neighbouring South Africa. There is widespread optimism that the country will take advantage of the world soccer showpiece. The onus is now on the recently launched Botswana Tourism Board which is reported to be three years behind schedule. The board was launched by the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism Pelonomi Venson, who also said that there are chances of the industry making a round-about turn. Statistics show that African countries that are leading in attracting tourists are Namibia, Tanzania, Nigeria and South Africa. In terms of regional growth, Europe is still maintaining a firm grip on the top spot, while Asia and the Pacific have claimed the second spot from the Americans. Africa and the troubled Middle East follow the pack respectively.
Africa as a whole has a tall order to climb, given the unstable geo-politics and continuous upgrading of airline capacities in Europe and Asia.
“Given the potential of growth of the tourism sector in the SADC region and the exigency of tourists who are demanding more quality services, training of employees at all levels in the travel and tourism industry is now crucial,” notes the report.
The report further says that there is a need to facilitate intra-regional travel and the movement of international tourists in the region “in order to increase the market share and revenue of the region in world tourism”.
Nigeria strike could be extended
The four-day general strike in Nigeria called over fuel price hikes, now in its third day, could continue after today, trade unions have warned.
Union leader Adams Oshiomhole says they may extend the strike beyond today if more violence breaks out after the killing of a boy in Kaduna on Monday.
The unions want 25 percent price rises reversed but the only talks being held are on minimising the impact.
Africa’s biggest oil producer wants to end heavily subsidised fuel prices.
Many Nigerian shops and offices remain closed and the trade union umbrella grouping organising the strike says it remains “quite effective”, but so far there has been little disruption to oil production.
“We have told the police that if the arrests and harassment continue, we’ll have to extend the strike beyond today,” Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) spokesman Owei Lekeimfa told AP news agency.
The strike and a pipeline fire, which is disrupting production has helped push the worldwide price of oil to record highs.
The pipeline, which has broken and is on fire is carrying crude oil across the Niger Delta.
A spokesman for Shell company-which runs the Trans-Niger pipeline - said the incident would temporarily disrupt oil production.
He said that he expected production to be down by 20,000 barrels for a few days because the oil would have to be transferred to a narrower pipeline while repairs were carried out.
Shell produces 2.25m barrels a day in Nigeria.
The village where the fire broke out is in the homeland of the Ogoni people, who have a long-running dispute with Shell.
The strike was called by the NLC, to protest against big increases in the price of petrol since fuel subsidies were removed last year.
Despite Nigeria’s oil wealth, most of the population lives in poverty and many see cheap fuel as the only benefit they receive.
The strike was widely observed on Monday leaving many cities deserted early on, though some traders and traffic have returned.
The BBC’s Anna Borzello in the largest city, Lagos, says many Nigerians support the idea of a strike, but cannot afford not to work.
In a bid to take the steam out of the strike, President Olusegun Obasanjo set up a task force to look at the effects of the fuel price rises, which included NLC leader Adams Oshiomhole.
Oshiomhole - who leads the 29-union umbrella body - has led two widely observed general strikes in the last 18 months over fuel price increases.
He was detained by state security agents two days before the strike began before he was released. (BBC)
