Hon. Dine Bouraima Bags Africa Travel 100 Global Leaders Award in Lagos
Cotonou
Hon. Dine Bouraima, a distinguished leader in the African tourism industry, has been recognized with the prestigious Africa Travel 100 Global Leaders Award at the 20th edition of the Akwaaba African Travel Market. The event, held at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, celebrated key players and influencers who have made significant contributions to the development and promotion of tourism across the continent.
Bouraima, the President of Consortium Touristes Par Millions Au Bénin (CTM-BENIN) the confederation of all the tourism organizations in Benin Republic ; Administrator at the Confédération des Organisations Privées de l industrie du Tourisme de la Cedeao) (COPITOUR ECOWAS) lead by Mamoudou Racine SY, and Vice President of the African Tourism Board (ATB) led by Cuthbert Ncube.
In his acceptance speech, he pledged to intensify his efforts in advancing the African tourism landscape, stating, “I am grateful to the organizers of this award, and this calls for more efforts to be added to my role in the African tourism sector. I will not relent.“
Bouraima’s role in the African tourism sector has been nothing short of transformative. Under his leadership, CTM-BENIN has played a vital role in promoting Benin as a leading tourism destination, focusing on sustainable tourism development and creating collaborative partnerships across the region. His involvement in the African Tourism Board further underscores his commitment to enhancing Africa’s global tourism presence, fostering intra-African travel, and promoting the continent’s rich cultural heritage.
Since 2015, under his leadership, Bouraima Dine has been actively committed to facilitating the entry of tourists to Benin and, more broadly, across Africa. His tireless efforts found strong support from the President of Benin, Patrice Talon, a staunch advocate for tourism development. Thanks to this robust institutional backing, Benin became, in 2018, one of the few African countries to grant visa exemptions to African citizens, while also introducing an e-visa system to further simplify entry procedures.
In just five years, this initiative has led to a significant rise in tourism in Benin, with a notable increase in African visitors between 2018 and 2023. The tourism sector now contributes approximately 7% to Benin’s GDP, demonstrating the direct impact of mobility facilitation policies on the country’s economy. Additionally, Benin has seen a 15% increase in foreign investments in its tourism infrastructure, signaling the growing attractiveness of the country.
This progress positions Benin at the forefront of African integration in tourism, opening its borders to Africans without administrative barriers. However, Bouraima Dine envisions going even further: his greatest wish is for all African heads of state to adopt this approach, enabling the free movement of people across the continent. Currently, less than 10% of African countries offer visa exemptions to their neighbors, which severely limits regional growth opportunities. Such a shift could stimulate intra-African tourism, which still accounts for only 5% of international travel by Africans.
In the near future, once the free movement of people is established, he hopes that policies will also follow to facilitate the free movement of goods. This gradual approach could not only strengthen African unity but also boost economic growth through seamless and unhindered trade exchanges. Some studies suggest that removing trade barriers could increase intra-African trade by 52% by 2025, particularly with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
For Bouraima Dine, opening borders represents more than just administrative convenience; it is a vision of a united continent where Africans can travel, trade, and prosper together, while celebrating their diverse cultures and participating in inclusive economic development.
The awards plaque presented to Hon. Dine Bouraima, President CTM-Benin and Vice President ATB, signed by Amb. Ikechi Uko, the initiator
The Africa Travel 100 Global Leaders Award recognizes individuals who have had an outstanding impact on the travel and tourism industry in Africa and globally. With Bouraima’s influence extending beyond Benin and into continental initiatives, his recognition is a testament to his enduring dedication to promoting Africa as a vibrant and diverse travel destination.
As the Vice President of the African Tourism Board, Bouraima has championed various initiatives internal initiatives such as the creation of Commissioners Portfolios and Global Ambassadors Offices which are poised to creating global engagements for ATB and other external initiatives aimed at improving connectivity, infrastructure, and policy support for tourism growth across Africa. His vision aligns with the broader goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks to position tourism as a key driver of socio-economic development in Africa.
The Akwaaba African Travel Market, now in its 20th year, continues to serve as a significant platform for stakeholders in the African travel and tourism industry to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and celebrate achievements and with leaders like Dine Bouraima and host of other recipients.
