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Tourism has undeniably become a strong driving force for the economy in a multitude of countries. This has prompted some regions to build their development plans on this job-generating industry, in the knowledge that firm development will come with it.
Fundacion Cultural Banesto’s project Sustainable and Supportive Tourism in Africa, which will be presented for the first time in FITUR’09, has been born to provide support to such initiatives. The aim is to help African women to set up small tourist businesses or micro-companies, particularly in the hotel sector, so that their regions may improve their financial autonomy. Specifically, the aid consists in supplying training, technical advice services and access to funding and to the markets. The foundation also disseminates information among responsible travellers on routes and lodgings that meet the requirements of supportive tourism.
Fundacion Banesto’s sustainable tourism scheme adds to the increasing possibilities for travel the African continent, an emerging tourist destination. According to WTO research, 44 million travellers visited Africa in 2007, an 8% increase with respect to the previous year. Africa’s progress as an attractive tourist destination has been parallel to its participation in FITUR. In this 29th edition, the continent will step up its participation, with more to look at in the African stands which will gather in Hall 6 of Feria de Madrid between 28 January and 1 February.
Among the participating countries we will once again see Mozambique, a country where natural parks and reserves abound and which will lay special emphasis on promoting the development of eco-tourism in its official stand at the fair. Kenya, which recently opened a new tourist office in Spain, year, will also bring an official delegation. Other African countries will have more to offer at FITUR with respect to the last edition. Such is the case of Morocco, with a substantially larger stand. Egypt and Tunisia have also confirmed their already weighty presence at the show. Other occupants of Hall 6 will be Madagascar -whose successful results in its first appearance at FITUR in 2008 have prompted its return- Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Tanzania, Libya, Mali, Ethiopia and Senegal
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
