According to Julia Simpson, President and Chief Executive of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), global investment in travel and tourism is expected to rise by 11.5% in 2023, aiming to reach pre-pandemic levels by 2025. This information was shared on November 2 during the second day of the WTTC’s 23rd Global Summit in Kigali, with Simpson citing the latest data from WTTC and its partner, Oxford Economics.

President Paul Kagame, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Burundi’s Vice President Prosper Bazombanza were featured as keynote speakers during the formal commencement of the summit.

Simpson highlighted in the report that environmental risks account for half of the top 10 global risks, and the industry is facing growing scrutiny regarding its social impacts. Against this backdrop, the 2023 discussion will emphasize investments in sustainability.

The global travel and tourism sector is experiencing a strong resurgence, returning to the pre-pandemic energy levels of 2019. Recent data indicates that all regions are rebounding more quickly than initially anticipated, with the Asia-Pacific region leading the recovery.

“Our most recent data emphasizes the enduring allure and resilience of our industry, rebounding at a pace faster than originally projected. This pattern underscores the enduring consumer desire for travel. Despite China’s full recovery potential remaining untapped, the global sector’s performance is surpassing expectations,” she remarked.

Analysis of numerical data reveals that in 2019, travel and tourism accounted for 8.1% of greenhouse gas emissions, 10.6% of total global energy consumption, and 0.9% of freshwater utilization across 185 countries. This information, subject to annual updates, highlights the industry’s environmental impact.

Projections indicate that Africa, with the world’s youngest population, will see substantial economic contributions from travel and tourism by 2033. It is anticipated that $1 in every $13 generated in Africa and 1 in 17 jobs will be linked to the sector. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) predicts a significant boost, with the sector contributing over $430 billion to the African economy and providing employment for more than 110 million people.

For Rwanda specifically, the WTTC forecasts that the travel and tourism sector will contribute over $2.1 billion to the national economy by 2033, generating approximately 568,000 jobs. This positive outlook is attributed to Rwanda’s commitment to sustainable tourism, diverse offerings, and the promotion of its rich biodiversity, culture, heritage, and art.

Globally, the WTTC’s 2022 Economic Impact Report (EIR) foresees the creation of nearly 126 million jobs within the travel and tourism industry over the next decade. The report emphasizes the sector’s role as a key driver for global economic recovery from the pandemic, projecting an average annual GDP growth rate of 5.8% between 2022 and 2032. This growth is expected to surpass the global economy’s rate, reaching $14.6 trillion, equivalent to 11.3% of the total global economy.

As the host of the inaugural WTTC Global Summit in Africa, Francis Gatare, Chief Executive of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), emphasized that the decision underscores the nation’s accomplishments over the past few decades.

“The significance of hosting the WTTC Global Summit in Rwanda, marking a first for Africa, is a remarkable milestone for the continent. It also presents an opportunity for the world to witness Rwanda and Africa’s commitment to sustainable tourism.”

Addressing a packed audience at the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), Gatare expressed, “In Rwanda, we recognize the profound impact travel and tourism have on shaping our economy and fostering global unity.”

Gatare highlighted that the summit provided a strategic moment for Rwanda to extend a warm welcome to industry leaders attending the celebration of the 20th-anniversary gorilla naming ceremony scheduled for September 2024.

“I extend an invitation to all of you to join us for this historic occasion and witness the naming of the next generation of baby mountain gorillas in what promises to be a remarkable celebration of conservation,” he added.

The WTTC 2023, held this year, brought together over 1,200 participants from the global tourism industry to acknowledge the sector’s growth in Africa over recent years while addressing its challenges. The three-day summit, which commenced on November 1, revolves around the theme ‘Building Bridges to a Sustainable Future,’ exploring topics such as resilience and sustainable growth, the increasing impact of AI, understanding new and emerging markets, and addressing key challenges and opportunities within the sector.