AITEC World Unveils Two Landmark Global Tourism Events, Calls for Greater African Integration Through Tourism, Trade and Investment
The Africa-International Tourism and Economic Council (AITEC World) has officially unveiled two major international tourism events that are set to strengthen Africa’s position in the global tourism economy while promoting investment, trade, regional integration and sustainable economic development.
The announcement was made during an International Press Conference held on 23 July 2026 at the Benin Royal Hotel, Cotonou, under the theme:
“Tourism as a Catalyst for Global Sustainable Economic Development.”
The press conference brought together government officials, diplomats, tourism leaders, investors, development partners, airline executives, hotel operators, international organisations and members of the media from across Africa and beyond.
During the event, AITEC World officially announced: The 3rd Official Global Launch of AITEC World, scheduled for 2 November 2026 at the Hilton London, United Kingdom, on the sidelines of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026.
The 2nd Africa Tourism Dialogue (ATD 2026), which will take place from 12–14 November 2026 at the Headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as the official tourism component of Africa Celebrates 2026.
The conference also featured official presentations by Amb. Kazeem Balogun, Vice President for Communications and International Relations of AITEC World, highlighting the organisation’s global vision and the strategic importance of the forthcoming Africa Tourism Dialogue.
AITEC World reaffirmed its commitment to positioning tourism as a powerful engine for: Sustainable economic growth; Investment promotion; Trade facilitation; Regional integration; Cultural diplomacy; Innovation; Public-private partnerships; Free movement of people, goods and services across Africa.
The organisation stressed that tourism must be recognised not merely as a leisure industry but as one of Africa’s strongest economic transformation tools capable of creating jobs, attracting foreign direct investment and accelerating continental development.
Delivering the keynote address, President of AITEC World, Amb. Dine Bouraima, described the press conference as the beginning of a continental movement aimed at redefining Africa’s tourism and economic future.
He said: “Today, we are not gathered simply to announce two events. We are here to launch a movement—a movement for a better-connected Africa, where Africans travel more freely, investors move with greater ease, businesses trade without unnecessary barriers, and tourism becomes a true catalyst for sustainable economic development.”
Amb. Bouraima noted that the London Global Launch and the Africa Tourism Dialogue share one common ambition:
“To position tourism as a catalyst for investment, trade, job creation, international cooperation and Africa’s sustainable economic development.”
Highlighting Africa’s enormous opportunities, he pointed out that the continent is home to nearly 1.5 billion people, with projections reaching 2.5 billion by 2050, while the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has created the world’s largest free trade area by number of participating countries.
He also cited global tourism statistics, noting that the world recorded over 1.52 billion international tourist arrivals in 2025, while Africa welcomed nearly 100 million international visitors. According to projections, Africa’s Travel and Tourism sector is expected to contribute approximately US$241 billion to the continent’s economy in 2026 and support more than 31 million jobs.
Despite these encouraging figures, Amb. Bouraima lamented the persistent barriers confronting African travellers.
“We continue to make travel difficult. We continue to have some of the highest airfares in the world. We continue to require visas from our own African brothers and sisters. How can we speak of economic integration when travelling between two African countries is sometimes more difficult than travelling to another continent?”
Quoting renowned African industrialist Aliko Dangote, he remarked:
«”If somebody like myself needs 38 visas to travel across Africa, how can I invest?”»
He described the statement as reflecting the frustrations of millions of Africans and stressed that without mobility there can be no meaningful trade, investment or regional integration.
The AITEC World President applauded the recent ECOWAS initiative to reduce the cost of air transport within West Africa and congratulated President Alassane Ouattara and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire for becoming the first country to implement the regional decision.
He called on other ECOWAS Member States to follow suit while advocating for broader continental reforms.
“We must build an Africa where air travel is affordable. An Africa where Africans move freely across their own continent. An Africa fully aligned with Agenda 2063, the African Passport initiative, the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons and the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
Amb. Bouraima equally commended African countries that have adopted visa-free or highly liberal entry policies for fellow Africans, including Benin, Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, Ghana, Togo and Kenya.
He announced AITEC World’s aspiration that by 2031, at least 27 African countries would have fully implemented visa-free travel for all African citizens.
“When Africans move freely, investment increases. Trade expands. Tourism grows. Businesses flourish. Jobs are created. Our continent becomes stronger.”
Reaffirming AITEC World’s philosophy, he declared:
“Tourism is not an end in itself. Tourism is the gateway to investment, trade, economic cooperation and sustainable development.”»
He concluded with a passionate call for continental unity.
“Africa’s future will depend on our ability to build a continent where people move freely, where businesses invest without unnecessary barriers, and where tourism becomes a powerful driver of shared prosperity. This is the Africa that AITEC World has chosen to serve—a more integrated Africa, a more connected Africa and a more prosperous Africa. Together, let us link Africa to the world… and the world to Africa.”
