Africarare and Metaverse Tourism Association Team Up to Showcase African Tourism
In a recent partnership that merges cutting-edge technology with the richness of African heritage, Africarare has joined forces with the Metaverse Tourism Association (MTA) to unlock the potential of virtual tourism across the continent.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa welcomed nearly 70 million international tourists in 2019, underscoring the region's allure as a travel destination.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, with South Africa alone hosting 7.6 million tourists last year, Africa's tourism industry is steadily rebounding to pre-pandemic levels.
Tourism fosters economic growth
The tourism sector is not only a significant contributor to the global economy, generating 5 percent of GDP and supporting 235 million jobs worldwide, but it also plays a crucial role in showcasing cultural diversity and fostering economic growth.
However, Africa's tourism industry still faces obstacles such as infrastructure and security issues, hindering its full potential.
The partnership between MTA and Africarare marks an exciting step towards amplifying the promotion and awareness of African tourism.
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Africarare's project, Ubuntuland, is a vibrant digital representation of Africa, where culture, art, and innovation converge in the metaverse. It serves as a virtual space dedicated to celebrating African heritage and fostering economic opportunities.
Africarare's approach uniquely blends the preservation of African traditions with embracing digital innovation, leveraging AI and mixed reality to ensure that cultural heritage is both honored and preserved in the digital realm. Through this partnership, Africarare envisions a future where technology acts as a bridge between the past and the present, driving cultural preservation and economic growth.
Lisa Gibbons, Founder of the Metaverse Tourism Association, expressed excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of education in this partnership. She highlighted the belief that the future of travel lies in a hybrid model, blending real-world exploration with digital innovation.
Mic Mann, CEO and Co-founder of Africarare, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the transformative potential of bringing African tourism into the metaverse. He sees this partnership as just the beginning of a journey to broaden the horizons of the open metaverse while showcasing Africa's rich culture and heritage.
Recognizing the immense potential of African tourism, countries like Gambia, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania have drafted strategic plans to develop the sector further. Additionally, nations like Botswana, Mauritius, Rwanda, and South Africa are actively improving their business environments to attract tourism investment and drive economic growth.
The collaboration between the Metaverse Tourism Association and Africarare signals a bold reimagining of the future of travel and tourism in Africa. By combining the best of both worlds – real-world exploration and digital innovation – they aim to create a truly immersive and inclusive virtual tourism experience for all.
