Tourism: Major Tourist Areas of the World and the Factors that Shape Them

Problem. Calculate (a) the percentage change in arrivals from 2019 to 2025 for Africa and for Asia and the Pacific, and (b) Africa's share of world arrivals in 2025.

Solution.

Interpretation. Africa grew strongly after the pandemic, while Asia and the Pacific, where some countries kept borders closed longest, had still not recovered by 2025. Yet Africa receives only about one twentieth of the world's international tourists, while Europe receives more than half. The rest of this lesson explains that pattern.

Problem. Using the factors above, explain why Europe receives more than half of all international tourist arrivals while Africa receives about 5%.

Solution. Europe: its own people are rich and have long paid holidays, so most of its visitors come from neighbouring European countries by short, cheap flights, trains and roads; many countries share the Schengen visa-free area and the euro; it has a dense supply of hotels, transport and heritage sites. Africa: its attractions are world-class, but most visitors must fly long distances from Europe, America or Asia at high cost; air links between African countries are few and expensive; visa rules and border formalities still vary; and the image of insecurity in some regions affects the whole continent. Judgement: accessibility and the wealth of nearby source markets matter more than the attractions themselves, which is why visa reform, regional air links and growing African middle classes are the keys to Africa's tourism growth.