Destination Africa

Youth travel is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry. With an estimated 160 million international tourist arrivals a year, youth travel accounts for over 20 percent, according to a report by the UNWTO and the WYSE Travel Confederation in 2008. Hoping to tap into the lucrative Chinese tourism market, around 25 African travel companies and organizations attended the conference.

"Our target is young students, especially those [wanting to] visit Cape Town," said Sabu Siyaka, Managing Director of South Africa's Ubizo Events & Tours Co. "Young people are so vibrant. They look forward to sharing knowledge and exchanging ideas," he said.

The company organizes trips for international students to explore the cultural and historical townships of Langa and Gugulethu in programs such as homestay, township and community projects.

"We offer them the opportunity to learn more about our culture, [so the tours are] educational as well, and fun. They will also have the opportunity to interact with the locals," he said, hoping to attract more Chinese and Indian youth in the future.

Currently, there are few Chinese students traveling to Africa. The infrastructure is one of the reasons, said Daniel Levine, Executive Director of the Avant-Guide Institute, a global trends consultancy for travel and consumer marketing based in New York City. "Chinese students don't know the opportunities there, and companies don't exist there that can bring Chinese students to Africa. It's just started," he told ChinAfrica.

As China is more connected with Africa economically, he predicts that in the next decade, there will be more and more Chinese youth traveling to Africa. "The more economic trade, the more cultural trade. It's connected," he said.