China-Africa agreement expected to bolster tourist arrivals in Kenya

Kenya will soon benefit from an influx of Chinese tourists following an agreement to strengthen exchanges and cooperation to help revive Africa’s tourism industry.

Yesterday, Africa and China agreed to attend each other’s large-scale tourism exhibitions such as China International Travel Mart and others that market Kenya and other African countries as tourism destinations in the world.

“China supports African travel agencies in joining the World Tourism Alliance and the International Tourism Alliance of Silk Road Cities,” the agreement says.

“China supports all African countries that have diplomatic ties with China in becoming destinations for Chinese tourist groups, encourages the two sides to strengthen exchanges and cooperation on tourism to help revive Africa’s tourism industry.”

The two sides also agreed that China will continue to support its private enterprises in investing in Africa’s tourism industry.

President Xi Jinping’s (pictured) administration will also promote China-Africa tourism cooperation and enhance exchanges and cooperation in areas such as parks management, supporting tourism development through digital technologies and tourist destination promotion.

Yesterday, after the launch of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), it was agreed that China will support the development of mass sports as well as sports disciplines in Africa, with China willing to support the preparation of high-level African athletes to participate in world competitions in relations with individual sports associations.

The Beijing Action Plan also posits that China will continue flagship projects in African countries and support Chinese and African culture and art groups in attending international art festivals hosted by the other side and artists in having fields trips to inspire more art creation.

The two sides also agreed to encourage their relevant institutions to participate in each other’s activities in the fields of music, art, acting, library and cultural heritage under various frameworks including the Silk Road of Culture and join such mechanisms as the Silk Road International League of Theatres.

“The two sides will continue to implement plans of intergovernmental cultural agreements, encourage cultural exchanges at the sub-national level, and support closer interactions between the two sides in cultural industry and cultural trade,” the document says.

In addition, China agreed to facilitate the development of the audiovisual industry of both sides through ways including programme exchanges, joint production, technical cooperation, mutual visits and personnel training.

“China will support the construction of the Converged Media Centre of Africa, and will work with the African side to open children’s channels and carry out joint production of films and TV programmes.

“China will support the African side in upgrading its audiovisual facilities, training media personnel, and preserving Africa’s historical audiovisual archives.”