This year's ITB China attendees may have noticed that North African countries account for a significant amount of floor space at the event. This is evidence of its growing popularity among travelers in China and Asia.
North Africa is a cluster of seven countries consisting of Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and the Western Sahara.
With an average recorded history of 3,000 to 5,000 years, these are countries at a cultural crossroads, offering a rich and diverse area for brave travelers to explore.
In recent years, the number of inbound tourists from the Far East has risen significantly, making it a destination for viewing the region on a global scale.
Morocco works to prepare China
Travel Daily Media has the privilege of participating in a panel discussion yesterday, May 27th, featuring Achraf Fayda, CEO of the National Tourism Office of Morocco.
Faida spoke about how Chinese travelers are heading towards their country. It cites the return of Royal Airmallock's direct route between Beijing and Casablanca, which currently flies three times a week but will expand to at least seven flights in the near future.
This is just one way Morocco has been working to adapt to the evolving needs of Asian travelers, especially Chinese.
Certainly, as Faida said, “We are working to prepare Morocco China.”
China Ready is a certification awarded to countries where tourist facilities help to make travel easier for Chinese travelers.
As of May 9, Faida and his team began the process of acquiring that certification, and Morocco is in a position to become the first country in North Africa to get it.
Morocco plans to hold a B2B event later this year as a way to quickly track the process, matching up to 60 Chinese travel agents with local counterparts.
This is important in increasing the number of Chinese tourists in the country as Morocco welcomed 106,000 Chinese citizens last year.
Photo courtesy of the Tunisian Tourism BureauTunisia: Counting 30,000 Chinese visitors
I had the privilege of sitting at a booth in Tunisia today with Anauer Chetuy, the chief representative of Beijing's Tunisian Tourism Board.
Chetoui noted that with only Chinese tourists, Tunisia plans to welcome up to 30,000 by the end of the year.
Although this appears to be rather small, referring to the expected arrival of 11 million foreigners in 2025, China remains an important source market for the country.
Chetoui said: “We will continue Tunisian promotional activities in the Chinese market and the rest of the global market. We will be conducting a media trip to Tunisia by the end of June.
This promotional effort will include the participation of at least six major Chinese opinion leaders, immersing them in Tunisian cultural wonders and allowing them to promote their destinations to their followers.
Aviation is important
Like Morocco, Tunisia is working to enhance it from the perspective of the direct air route.
As Chetowi said, “Without aviation there is no tourism. That's important. But we are working to establish the first direct flight between Tunis and Beijing.”
The initiative, scheduled to be launched by next year, will be extremely easy for travelers.
Given the positive outcome that Tunisian President Cais's visit to China last year was dependent on economics, industry and tourism, such an intrusion is necessary.
Chetoui said: “Now we are receiving more visits from a higher economic delegation from China, our country is discussing greater cooperation and tourism is one of the topics being discussed.”
Tunisia and Morocco are not the only ones to increase aviation capacity as they are working to make local neighbours more accessible through the air.
Beyond cultural tourism
North Africa, in particular Egypt, has long been known for its rich cultural and historical values for humanity.
In fact, Egypt is famous for its great museums (GEMs), and its popularity as a destination has been strengthened for decades by film and literature.
In recent years, North African countries have gained more fame in the world's gastronomy heritage around the world thanks to global Lacontroux, such as the late Anthony Bourdain.
But beyond these cultural wonders, the region has also achieved its status as a top destination for mouse trade, seeing some countries allowing some to preserve Bedouin and Berber styles in Sahara tents.
Golf in Tunisia and the upcoming FIFA World Cup sport tourism in Morocco also takes pride in the location and will contribute to further growth in terms of tourist numbers.
China has its eyes on North Africa, but the region hopes to appeal not only to Chinese people, but also to the rest of the world seeking adventure.
