ATLAS AFRICA CONFERENCE

“Falling back in love with tourism –

An African affair”

Monday, 14 February 2022

Synopsis:

The African continent is naturally and culturally distinct from all other continents, and teems with unique landscapes, authentic social experiences, ancient history, ethnic diversity, geographical wonders and active adventures. Since the dawn of the new millennium, travel and tourism has become integral and critical to many economies of nation states on the African continent. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) found that pre-pandemic tourism generated roughly $169 billion to Africa’s annual Gross Domestic Profit (GDP), with 24 million jobs.

However, despite the continued development and promotion of tourism economies, travel infrastructures as well as the growth in international tourist arrivals across the continent, some regions have not yet reached their full potential. The ATLAS Africa Conference aims to reflect (and reminisce) on the essence of travel and tourism on the African continent, and why many scholars and travellers “fell in love” with the continent and its distinct tourist attractions, products, destinations, services and sites in the first place.

Call for papers:

This one-day online conference will be reflecting on the past, present and future of tourism development and promotion within the African continent. It will be inclusive of all five African sub-regions – northern, eastern, southern, central and western Africa – considering the diverse and dynamic nature of the continental tourism domain and its touristic offerings. Abstracts between 200 - 250 words are hereby open for the following themes:

Themes:

• African tourism past, present and future
• Natural excursions and landscapes in Africa
• Heritage and cultural experiences in Africa
• African travel policy development and governmental tourism strategies
• The African tourism leisure and hospitality market
• African events and festival tourism
• African heritage as a tourism drawcard
• African coastal, marine and island tourism
• African World Heritage Sites as tourism attractions
• African community and pro-poor tourism
• African rural and urban tourism
• African tourism in a comparative perspective
• The negative impact of tourism in African
• African country specific case studies

Important dates:

Submit abstracts by:                        Friday, 28 January 2022

Response on abstracts by:             Monday, 31 January 2022

Abstract submission and conference registration:

<http://www.atlas-euro.org/Default.aspx?TabID=407>

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