Top 10 Sub – Saharan African Countries with the Highest Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index in 2017
Although travel and tourism competitiveness is underdeveloped in Sub-Saharan Africa, the performance of Eastern African countries has been the most improved among the sub regions of the continent, according to the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum. Neighboring countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda were among Sub-Saharan countries that made it to the top ten list. Mozambique, which rose eight places to 122nd, was the most improved nation in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The report, which measures factors and policies that enable the sustainable development of the travel and tourism sector in 136 countries worldwide, puts Ethiopia at 116th place, globally. Ethiopia also holds the sixth spot in East Africa and 12th place in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nonetheless, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism recently stated that Ethiopia is misplaced in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, mentioning that the facts stated in the report contradict the information documented by the government. This is not the first time tourism data has become controversial in Ethiopia. The World Tourism Organisation (WTO), in a report published two months ago, disclosed that the revenues Ethiopia declared from the tourism sector had an estimation error. While the Ministry claimed USD1.8 billion was collected from the tourism industry in the first half of the current fiscal year, WTO put it at USD444 million.
| Rank | Country | Gross Written Premium (In Million ETB) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 4.01 |
| 2 | Maunitius | 3.92 |
| 3 | Kenya | 3.59 |
| 4 | Namibia | 3.59 |
| 5 | Cape Verde | 3.55 |
| 6 | Botswana | 3.52 |
| 7 | Tanzania | 3.45 |
| 8 | Rwanda | 3.36 |
| 9 | Uganda | 3.20 |
| 10 | Cote d’ivaire | 3.16 |
Source: The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017
6th Year . April 16 – May 15 2018 . No.60
Ethiopian Business Review
