African Travel & Tourism News 22 08 25

Former lawmaker Ras Mubarak has launched a 163-day, 40,000-kilometre transcontinental tour to push for visa-free travel across Africa by 2030, rejecting the African Union’s 2063 target as unrealistic for today’s youth. 
Starting from Black Star Square in Accra, his team will travel through 39 countries, delivering appeals to heads of state and mobilising civil society support. 

Mubarak argued that young Africans cannot wait decades for opportunities and cited faster integration elsewhere as proof it is achievable. While skeptics doubt the timeline, he insists public pressure can drive governments to act, with the campaign set to end in Ghana next year.

The 16th Miss Tourism Ghana was held in Accra under the theme “Tourism, the Heart of Ghana, Women Shaping a Sustainable Ghana and Bridging the Divide: A United Future for All Africans.” Director of Events, Delphine Brew-Hammond, said this year’s focus is on nurturing young women with national rather than regional representation, supported by Sharon Ghana. She announced a “Regional Costume” showcase to highlight cultural diversity and urged public support. 
She expressed hopes that contestants will grow into global ambassadors for Ghana and called for stronger backing from corporate, civil society, and government partners. The pageant remains a platform for cultural promotion, unity, and youth empowerment.

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has reiterated the government's commitment to a borderless Africa, stressing that visa restrictions weaken the continent’s unity and economic potential. Speaking at the launch of the Trans-Africa Tourism and Unity Campaign in Accra, he said free movement would boost trade, tourism, and job creation, noting that Africa’s tourism industry already contributes over $190 billion annually but is constrained by visa barriers. 

He praised the campaign, which will see activists travel 40,000 kilometres across the continent in 163 days to advocate visa-free travel and unity, while urging them to prioritize safety.

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced a bold new initiative named “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights.” Running from September through November 2025, this three-month campaign will offer free domestic flights to 200,000 foreign arrivals, encouraging them to explore lesser-known destinations beyond the usual hotspots. 
The goal is to promote tourism across the entire country, redistributing visitor flow more evenly and boosting regional economies

This initiative reflects growing global trends where destinations seek innovative ways to spread tourism benefits and avoid overcrowding in major tourist areas.