Manny Ita –
A new pan-African tourism initiative known as TOICE 2026 (Tourism & Open International Connectivity for Africa) has been launched with the aim of making travel across the continent easier, more connected, and more attractive to international visitors.
The platform brings together eight African countries—Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, and Tunisia—in a joint effort to promote multi-destination tourism under a single, simplified travel framework.
The initiative is designed to remove long-standing barriers that have made it difficult for tourists to move seamlessly between African countries. With TOICE 2026, travellers will be able to plan and book trips that connect multiple destinations in one itinerary, reducing the need for separate bookings, complex visa arrangements, and fragmented travel planning.
Major global partners, including Qatar Airways and Marriott International, are central to the project. Qatar Airways will support improved air connectivity between participating countries through its global flight network, while Marriott will expand access to accommodation and hospitality services across key tourist cities in Africa.
The initiative highlights Africa’s growing appeal as a global tourism hub, showcasing attractions ranging from Egypt’s ancient monuments and Morocco’s cultural cities to Kenya and Uganda’s wildlife safaris, South Africa’s landscapes, and West Africa’s expanding coastal tourism destinations.
Tourism stakeholders say the platform is expected to significantly boost visitor numbers in 2026 and beyond by making cross-border travel within Africa more convenient and attractive. It also aims to strengthen economic growth in participating countries by increasing tourism revenue, creating jobs, and encouraging investment in travel infrastructure.
Industry experts believe TOICE 2026 could mark a turning point for African tourism by positioning the continent as a more unified and accessible global destination, with improved coordination between airlines, hotels, and national tourism bodies.
