Promoting innovation and technology | SDGs 8, 9

With more than 600 Tech Active hubs in Africa, Innovation and technology are at the forefront of sustainable tourism recovery. Incubators, accelerators and start-ups among others are seeking innovative solutions for socio-economic recovery of the region. In light of this, opportunities to upgrade technological capacities and skills in the tourism sector are to be harnessed in order to take full advantage of digitalization and innovation which will in turn create entrepreneurship opportunities capable of responding to travelers needs and market growth.

Innovation and technology can support the continent to foster and accelerate the development of the tourism sector as well as to create new and innovative experiences for future travelers. In an everchanging global market place where travellers seek unique experience and authenticity, innovation and digitalization are vital for destinations to be more competitive.

Nonetheless, traveling today is about connecting people and creating personalized, interactive and authentic cultural experiences in travel destinations all around the globe. Competitive destinations are leveraging technology such as social media, smartphones, mobile platforms among others to tap into new trends and opportunity such as the sharing economy, geolocation, micro-moments inter alia.

In Africa, the tourism industry is in the midst of transformation where mobile phones and internet have changed the way we plan and experience travel on the continent. 495 million people subscribed to mobile services in Sub-Saharan Africa, representing 46% of the region’s population – an increase of almost 20 million in 2019.

MILESTONES:

• UNWTO/NEPAD Tourism Tech Adventure: Promoting African Tourism Innovation.
• INVESTOUR 2020 edition, Madrid, 24 January 2020
• UNWTO & Google Acceleration Programme - Travel insights for recovery (held virtually), 23 September 2020