West Africa’s Low Tourism GDP Contribution Worries Leaders, Call For Policy Changes

Stakeholders in Africa’s tourism sector have called for urgent reforms to visa regimes and border policies, warning that West Africa’s contribution to tourism-driven GDP remains significantly lower than other regions of the continent.

The call formed part of the resolutions reached at the inaugural African Travel Commission (ATC) Summit and Exhibition held in Lagos, themed: “Accelerating Africa’s Tourism Growth through Innovation, Partnerships and Sustainable Investments.”

Participants stressed the need for deliberate policy and structural reforms to unlock the sector’s vast potential. They advocated improved air connectivity, stronger public-private partnerships, and coordinated regional strategies to drive sustainable tourism growth across the continent.

Among the key challenges identified were limited intra-African air routes, restrictive visa regimes, weak regional integration frameworks, and inadequate collaboration between governments and private operators.

The summit also resolved that the African Travel Commission should spearhead continental research efforts, establish a comprehensive tourism statistics database, and champion training and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen industry standards across Africa.

In a major recommendation, participants called for the establishment of a Nigerian national carrier to serve as a strategic hub airline for West Africa, alongside increased investment in aviation infrastructure and the expansion of intra-African flight networks.

Governments and private sector players were urged to work collaboratively in shaping tourism policies, promoting joint investments, supporting digital transformation, and enhancing skills development within the sector.

Furthermore, the summit mandated the African Travel Commission to advocate harmonised tourism policies, develop shared marketing platforms, and position Africa as a single, competitive global destination.

Stakeholders also reaffirmed tourism’s role as a strategic tool for economic integration, urging regional blocs such as Economic Community of West African States to mainstream tourism into broader regional development frameworks.