African chic
Adventurers and in-the-know travelers have been beguiled by exotic Africa for centuries, but what is for sure is that Obama’s prominence and African origins will surely accelerate interest in African tourism, culture and style, and putting the continent firmly back on the chic list. It’s debatable whether the “O factor” will revive Hawaiian tourism the way Jimmy Carter did to Plains, Georgia or Bush to Crawford, Texas.
That’s welcome news to parts of Africa, which have seen a decline in recent years – in particular the violence that followed the presidential elections in Kenya in 2007 affected the country’s $1 billion a year tourism industry. Parts of Africa that are relatively peaceful could see a rise in the number of foreign visitors. There is optimism that tourism confidence is slowly being restored and the industry will bounce back by the end of 2009. The “O factor” is already starting to attract tourists particularly Americans, eager to explore the heritage of their new president. This is a niche being explored by some tour operators in America who are offering tours that cover the village of Kogelo in Western Kenya where Barack Obama’s father was buried. Moreover, the timing couldn’t be better for South Africa, which will be hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Although South Africa is already well known as a holiday hotspot and for its wine and culinary tourism, the event is expected to spark a tourism boom, with private business already gearing up in anticipation of hordes of soccer fans.
Fashion purveyors are also riding this African revival. From New York to Paris, fashion shows are flaunting Africa-inspired fashions on the runways. Going beyond the generic “safari style,” Louis Vuitton’s S/S 2009 runway collection added tribal vibes to its fashions, mixing couture jungle pieces, with oversized accessorizes like bangles, oversized necklaces and earpieces. Junya Watanabe’s African inspired collection was topped off by giant gingham turbans stuffed with dried flowers, said to be an interpretation of the native dress worn by women in the fruit and vegetable markets of Ghana, Nigeria or Jamaica. And EDUN’s (the socially conscious label started by Ali Hewson and husband Bono back in 2005) S/S 2009 collection was a sultry mix of tribal-inspired pieces, no doubt an homage to the company’s “grow-to-sow” mantra and mission to bring ethical trade from richer parts of the world to third world Africa.
2 Responses to “ African chic ”
February 26th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Thank you for your comments, it’s always nice to hear that our readers enjoyed visiting our blog, and more importantly, found it informative and insightful.
Until recently, travel to Africa focused mainly on wildlife and protected areas. However, we’re now seeing a rise in voluntourism – volunteering while on vacation – on the heels of a more general trend of altruism and wanting to give back, something we discussed earlier in both our newsletters and in our blog. These volontourism holidays take travelers into rural communities, off the beaten track, exposing them to the real culture as well. Depending on the program, travelers can choose to participate for a few days or even for several months. For example, adventure travel operators such as Trailfinders and Explore are taking advantage of this trend, with offerings such as 28 week trips exploring continents, and 3-6 month work placements in schools, orphanages or charities in Africa. Conservation Africa also arranges for volunteers with a passion for wildlife and conservation to become involved in wildlife protection and research projects in southern African game reserves.
It’s gratifying to watch more and more of these programs reaching out more to the rural communities and it is our hope that the “O” factor will continue to open more doors to rural tourism on the continent.
February 23rd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I have been searching the blogosphere for a posting as insightful on travel destinations as yous for some time now. I have to say that the way you linked the current election to increased travel interest in Africa was a genius way of thinking. When I came across your post I was instantly intrigued. Thank you for being so honest with the factors that contributes to travelers’ destination choices. I find it really interesting that President Obama’s election “is already starting to attract tourists particularly Americans, eager to explore the heritage of their new president” to parts of Africa. Also I find it compelling when you relate this fact to marketing by saying, “this is a niche being explored by some tour operators in America who are offering tours that cover the village of Kogelo in Western Kenya where Barack Obama’s father was buried.” Since American tour operators are adjusting to the new interest in traveling to certain parts of Africa, does it seem that those places in Africa are making an effort to accommodate more tourists? In addition to that, do you know if the increased attraction is welcomed by the smaller villages? How do the local Africans feel about American’s sudden interest in certain villages? It’s nice to know how South Africa is welcoming the increase in tourism as it is just in time for their “hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup.” It seems as though, from your post, that South Africa is accustomed to tourists because of their wine and culinary attractions, but I wonder how shocking the tourists will be to other places in Africa such as Kogelo in Western Kenya. I’ll keep an eye out for marketing tactics gearing American travel to Africa and how much the attraction to Africa increases. I find it very interesting and unexpected when you incorporate the new travel trend into fashion. I never would have seen the link between the Africa-inspired fashions to President Obama’s election. Do you have any other ideas as to where else the country’s interest in the president will lead? I just want to thank you again for your insightful post and I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future.