Roscongress
Foundation CEO Alexander Stuglev and African Tourism Board Executive Chairman
Dr. Cuthbert
Simphiwe Ncube signed a document on strategic partnership to promote
Russian-African business, commercial, and recreational tourism. The ceremony
took place on 12 June on the sidelines of the Let’s Travel! Russian Tourism
Forum, an anchor event in the tourism and hospitality sector, which will
continue at the All-Russian Exhibition Centre until 16 June.
“Russia and
African countries have excellent prospects to intensify tourism ties. The
recreational industry is actively developing on the continent, and there has
been a colossal breakthrough in the development of infrastructure. Whereas
popular European countries are now difficult, expensive, and time-consuming to
get to, Africa has definitely become closer. The memorandum of understanding that
our organizations signed today aims to tap into this potential,” Alexander Stuglev
said during the signing of the memorandum.
The document
calls for cooperation in promoting sustainable tourism and investment
opportunities in Africa and Russia, enhancing the visibility and appeal of
Africa and Russia as leading tourism and investment destinations in the world,
as well as the exchange of resources and experience in areas of mutual
interest, such as marketing strategies, investment promotion, and industrial
development.
Cooperation between
Russia and the African continent also aims to attract international tourism
organizations, ministers of tourism, and leading travel companies operating in
the domestic and international tourism markets to Africa and Russia.
Russian
tourists have shown growing interest in Africa in recent years. In 2023, the
number of such tourists increased by 30%, with South Africa being the top destination.
Statistics from tour operators show that the most popular countries last year were
Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, and Madagascar. In addition,
tourists often try to combine several countries in one trip, and the average
duration of the tour is 10 days, which is enough time to go on safaris and
visit national parks and reserves. Experts note that tours to Senegal and
Sierra Leone have great potential. Travellers are also showing considerable interest
in Gambia, which has unilaterally introduced a 90-day visa-free regime for
Russians. Nowadays, African countries are in also great demand because flights
are closer and cheaper than to countries in Europe and North America.
“This MoU
marks a significant milestone in our quest to unite Africa and Russia through
tourism and investment. We are excited about the potential of this partnership
to drive economic growth, create jobs, and facilitate cultural exchange.
Together, we can achieve remarkable progress for our continents and contribute
to global economic development. We look forward to a fruitful partnership that
will benefit our regions and create a strong foundation for future cooperation.”
Members of
the African Tourism Board (ATB) and their Russian counterparts will create a
joint committee to ensure the effective implementation of the memorandum’s
objectives. This committee will focus on building a strong foundation for
ongoing collaboration and ensure that the partnership produces tangible
benefits for both parties. Ncube added: “This partnership paves the way for a
new era of tourism collaboration between Africa and Russia, driving economic
growth, job creation, and cultural exchange. By working together, we can unlock
new opportunities and create a more interconnected and prosperous world.”
The ATB is a
non-profit organization headquartered in Eswatini that serves as a strategic
partner among African countries in the development, marketing, and
implementation of tourism programmes that meet the growing needs of local
industries and the global tourism market. The ATB’s mission is to promote
Africa as a leading tourism destination throughout the world.