Fundacion Banesto to Present Sustainable Tourism Project in FITUR’09

Tourism has undeniably become a strong driving force for the economy in a multitude of countries. This has prompted some regions to build their development plans on this job-generating industry, in the knowledge that firm development will come with it.

Fundacion Cultural Banesto’s project Sustainable and Supportive Tourism in Africa, which will be presented for the first time in FITUR’09, has been born to provide support to such initiatives. The aim is to help African women to set up small tourist businesses or micro-companies, particularly in the hotel sector, so that their regions may improve their financial autonomy.

Specifically, the aid consists in supplying training, technical advice services and access to funding and to the markets. The foundation also disseminates information among responsible travelers on routes and lodgings that meet the requirements of supportive tourism.

Fundacion Banesto’s sustainable tourism scheme adds to the increasing possibilities for travel the African continent, an emerging tourist destination. According to WTO research, 44 million travelers visited Africa in 2007, an 8 percent increase with respect to the previous year.

Africa’s progress as an attractive tourist destination has been parallel to its participation in FITUR. In this 29th edition, the continent will step up its participation, with more to look at in the African stands which will gather in Hall 6 of Feria de Madrid between 28 January and 1 February.