Economic Empowerment Through Nature: The Growth of Eco-Sustainable Tourism in Africa

Over the past decade, a noticeable trend has emerged among African nations to enhance their tourism sectors to boost their economies. The global demand for eco-sustainable tourism is on the rise, and this aligns perfectly with the continent’s rich wildlife and natural resources.

The challenge lies in how best to harness these resources to attract tourists and provide them with remarkable experiences. To address this, several governments have developed strategies to encourage investments in eco-sustainable tourism from both the public and private sectors.

Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa are great examples of African nations working on enhancing their eco-sustainable tourism industries. This comes in an attempt to restore their global standing in the tourism sector, enhance their economy, and attract foreign direct investment.

Kenya’s Kajula Forest: Unveiling Hidden Gems

Kenya’s Kajula Forest has been designated by the Ministry of Tourism as the cornerstone of the country’s eco-sustainable initiative, “One Tourist, One Tree” (Luxury Travel Advisor). “This initiative encourages visitors to plant a tree and reduce their carbon footprint. The initiative takes place during the UN’s World Tourism Week, an annual global event with ‘Tourism and Peace’ as its theme for 2024,” Luxury Travel Advisor added.

The initiative aims to enhance wildlife habitats and offer a scenic experience for its visitors. The renovation and improvement efforts will benefit local communities as well. With the goal of becoming the world’s leading destination in eco-sustainable tourism, the forest will be in the global market’s radar, attracting more visitors.

Kenya is not only focusing on enhancing the Kajula Forest, but also it is working on renovating several landmarks to attract more visitors. Key sites include Mount Kenya, Lake Turkana, and Lamu Island. According to Statista, “The market is expected to exhibit a compound annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 6.89%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$1,284.00m by 2029.”

Egypt’s Booming Eco-sustainable and Luxury Tourism Initiatives

In 2024, the United Nations named two of Egypt’s national treasures, the Red Sea’s Abu Ghosoun Village and Aswan’s West Suhail Village among the UN’s best tourism villages (Ahram Online). “The prestigious award places these two villages among 55 global rural destinations celebrated for their commitment to tourism excellence, sustainable development, and cultural preservation,” according to Ahram Online.

Source: Stellar Market Research

Additionally, Egypt’s tourism market is expected to generate US$7,333 billion by 2029 (Statista). Following a strong influx of visitors in 2024, both international and domestic investors are keen to enter Egypt’s tourism industry, particularly in hospitality and eco-sustainable luxury tourism. This comes after significant investments in new cities, infrastructure upgrades, and efforts to boost Egypt’s position in the global tourism market.

One of the eco-sustainable investments going on in Egypt is the Nile cruises and eco-lodges. These investments come in to capitalize on the trend of luxury and eco-sustainable tourism, which blends legacy with nature. When it comes to the camping market in Egypt, “The annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) is estimated at 5.53%, which is expected to result in a market volume of US$14.40m by 2029.” (Statista).

South Africa’s Attempts to Combine Luxury and Sustainability

As the host of the 2010 World Cup, South Africa became a major global destination, becoming the global go to destination, with the final attracting 84,490 attendees. “The results of this comprehensive study of the impact of the World Cup show us that more than 309 000 foreign tourists.” (National Department of Tourism)

Fast forward to 2023, “The president also addressed the vital role that tourism plays in job creation, especially in light of its recovery following the pandemic. South Africa recorded around 8.5 million international tourist arrivals in 2023, contributing over R95 billion to the economy.” (Travel and Tour World)

South Africa’s tourism industry is positioned to boom, being fueled up with its rich culture, heritage, landscapes and luxury eco-sustainable hospitality. This is due to the country’s ambition to attract more tourists while ensuring sustainable practices are at the forefront. Tourism is driving both economic sustainability and job creation.

“In line with the global shift towards eco-friendly tourism, South Africa is also focusing on promoting sustainable tourism practices. New ventures within the country increasingly emphasize sustainability, with many businesses adopting environmentally responsible and eco-conscious practices that appeal to the growing market of eco-tourists.” (Travel and Tour World)

Eco-sustainable Tourism Promoting Sustainable Economies?

It seems that all of these countries have successfully capitalized on the global shift towards eco-sustainable tourism, leveraging their natural wonders to provide visitors with an unprecedented experience. They, along with several neighboring countries, are committed to reducing their environmental footprint while preserving their natural resources, wildlife and local communities.

“Eco-tourism also plays an important role in helping local communities by creating jobs, promoting cultural exchanges, and creating a sense of ownership in conservation initiatives.” (African Travel Concept)

As the demand for eco-sustainable tourism grows, many African nations are seeing an economic uplift. “Ecotourism’s growing popularity has transformed Africa’s wildlife safari industry into a $12.4 billion enterprise, with an additional $30.5 billion generated through taxes and visitor spending in various sectors.” (Africa Tourism)

There is still plenty of room for other nations to enhance their eco-sustainable tourism sectors, given Africa’s abundant natural resources. The industry is currently booming, and metrics show a rising interest, particularly among younger generations. Moreover, both foreign and domestic investors could capitalize on the available resources and they could still be among the early competitors and gain a competitive edge in the long run.

Works Cited

• Newsdesk. “Kenya’s Kajulu Forest to Become Kisumu’s Eco-Tourism Destination.” Luxury Travel Advisor, 26 Sept. 2024, www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/africa-indian-ocean/kenyas-kajulu-forest-become-kisumus-eco-tourism-destination.
• “Travel & Tourism – Kenya | Statista Market Forecast.” Statista, 2024, www.statista.com/outlook/mmo/travel-tourism/kenya.
• “Egypt’s Hidden Gems: Two Cultural Destinations Named among UN’s Best Tourism Villages 2024 – Heritage – Al-Ahram Weekly.” Ahram Online , 2024, english.ahram.org.eg/News/535573.aspx.
• “Travel & Tourism – Egypt | Statista Market Forecast.” Statista, www.statista.com/outlook/mmo/travel-tourism/egypt.
• MINISTRY of TOURISM REPUBLIC of SOUTH AFRICA MEDIA STATEMENT by the OFFICE of MR MARTHINUS van SCHALKWYK, MINISTER of TOURISM and SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM TOURISM the BIG WORLD CUP WINNER Minister Launches Results of Survey on Tourism Impact of the World Cup.
• “South Africa’s Tourism Revival from Robben Island to Kruger National Park, How the Sector Is Driving Economic Growth and Shaping Global Travel Trends – Travel and Tour World.” Travel and Tour World, 14 Jan. 2025, www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/south-africas-tourism-revival-from-robben-island-to-kruger-national-park-how-the-sector-is-driving-economic-growth-and-shaping-global-travel-trends/.
• Africa Tourism Connect. “World Conservation Day | the Rise of Eco-Tourism in Africa.” Africa Tourism Connect, 28 July 2024, africatourismconnect.com/the-rise-of-eco-tourism-in-africa/.