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The Cape Technikon's International Centre for Tourism Research in Africa announces two conferences in Cape Town

South Africa is not the only country on the African continent where an expanding tourism sector is viewed as one of the key 'growth engines' for economic development. All over the continent - from Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique in the South, to Kenya, Tanzania and Gabon in Central Africa, Ghana and Senegal in the West and the well-known Maghreb countries in the North - more and more attention falls on the growth and potential of this sector. With close to 2 million overseas tourist arrivals a year, South Africa is far ahead of all other countries of the continent - yet, the problems confronting the South African tourism sector are in many ways similar to those facing other African countries. Besides, Africa desperately needs initiatives to increase intra-African travel and tourism.

This challenging scene is the backdrop to the establishment of a tourism research centre at the Cape Technikon, with the focus falling on interaction with researchers and research centers in other parts of the continent. Guided by Professor Wolfgang Thomas, till recently Wesgro's Chief Economist in the Western Cape, the Centre will work closely with NEPAD and other (Southern) African agencies fostering cooperation across the continent.

As one of the first functions of the Centre two conferences are planned for the last week of October, both to be held at the Cape Technikon's Hotel School in Granger Bay / Sea Point.

A two-day conference on 27/28 October will explore "What tourism research is done where and by whom in Africa?" - aimed at the tourism research community. This is followed by a one-day workshop on 29 October for senior level practitioners in the tourism field, on the theme "Intra-African Tourism Links: Opportunities and Challenges."

"We can't just squeeze more profit out of the current tourism boom in South Africa - and, in particular, the Western Cape - without further looking ahead. We need a longer run perspective, looking at the whole continent and how a partnership approach can lay a firm foundation for steady growth in all regions of the continent" said Prof. Thomas. "South Africa has a lot to share with researchers elsewhere in Africa and researchers overseas, who increasingly focus on African tourism issues. The Centre wants to facilitate that process."

Top-level academics and practitioners have been invited to the two conferences, which should provide an excellent opportunity to launch a cooperative initiative.

For more information contact the Centre at Tel: (021) 460 3798
or contact@tourism-research-africa.org

International Centre for Tourism Research on Africa
Professor Wolfgang Thomas
Cape Technikon Administration Building
Keizersgracht, PO Box 652
Cape Town 8000
Tel: +27 + 21 460 379
Fax: +27 +21 461 3887.
e-mail: thomasw@ctech.ac.za

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