West African trials the rest of Africa at the just concluded ITB-Berlin Fair

By Lucky George in Berlin, Germany

North, East and South African countries as they have always done, dominated Africa’s participation at the just concluded 46th edition of ITB-Berlin International Tourism Exchange fair.

Leading the pack are Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria from North Africa, with South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Lesotho holding sway for their region, the likes of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda also measured up with brilliant performance.

Leading the West Africa onslaught are, The Gambia, Ghana and Nigeria  doing well, but not posing any major treat to dominant position of the aforementioned regions.

The most important entry is from Kenya that is just recovering from its ailing tourism sector that is now showing signs of recovery according to that country’s tourism officials at the ITB-Berlin event, saying, tourists arriving in Mombasa on charter planes have started visiting the region for safaris.

“A spot check revealed that hospitality facilities have started recording relatively good bookings after almost a month-long break”.

The Manager of Ngulia Safari Lodge, Mr Cyrus Kiti, said business was picking up, although at a slow pace. He said bed occupancy at the lodge had improved.

Kiti said staff members who had been sent home on unpaid leave have been recalled.

"Tourists are now trickling back to Tsavo National Park and business is taking a positive direction," he said.

A Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) tourism officer, Mr Joseph Gichohi, said he hoped poor bookings would become a thing of the past.

The annual fair is a forum used to showcase various tourist attractions by players in the hospitality industry and forms an important marketing platform.

While West Africa being led by Gambia can no longer wait or continue to play weaker role in Africa; are now proposing a big and strong travel exhibition for the region which will be held annually in their country, believing that the name and fame enjoy by tourism sector will pull many tour and travel related companies across Europe and Africa to participate.

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