Jumia Travel to revive its Business in Sudan after economic sanctions against the country were revoked
Jumia Travel has announced that it is reviving its operations in Sudan after the revocation of economic sanctions against the country.
The sanctions relief, Jumia Travel says comes as a go-ahead to tapping key trade and investment opportunities in Sudan, across industries such as finance, agriculture, mining and tourism. Jumia Travel plans to revive business with hotel partners in the country.
Cyrus Onyiego, Jumia Travel’s Country Manager in Kenya said the sanctions had largely affected the company’s business in Sudan, especially due to the fact that they are in the travel industry. ‘’With an already promising growth in tourism, we are happy to explore the massive business potential that lies in the sector,” He said.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) report on Travel and Tourism Global Economic Impact and Issues 2017, Sudan’s tourism sector has registered impressive growth in the past 6 years, with an annual average growth of 49.8% in visitor exports. This, besides directly supporting 1.8% of total employment (193,000 jobs) in 2016, and an expected increase of the same by 5.7% in 2017.
Onyiego further notes that reviving Sudan-bound bookings on the Jumia Travel’s online platform will provide increased visibility of the properties, resulting to added growth in revenues. “We believe by so doing it will go a long way in contributing to the employment rate in Sudan, as well as to the growth of the country’s economy which is on its road to recovery.”
Sudan’s sanctions date back to the 1990’s after the country was accused of hosting Osama Bin Laden, sympathizing with terrorists as well as supporting terrorism activities. The issuing of an executive order by Obama to lift the bans on a probational case during his last days in office paved the path to restoration which has finally culminated to the clearance. With a naturally endowed ecosystem, defined culture and heritage; presently spotting a list of five tentative World Heritage Site, Sudan has an abundance of tourist attractions and unadulterated experiences which if tapped will be an invaluable source of revenue to the country.
Featured Image: Image by Eviled
