Berlin - African exhibitors at the world's largest travel fair are on the lookout for new income streams, as the consequences of the global financial crisis loom large for the continent.
Flags are flying at Berlin's ITB travel fair for South Africa, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Algeria and Uganda.
Experts predict that many of Africa's developing countries could be amongst the worst-hit, as funding and investment channeled to the continent dries up due to the global economic downturn.
Nevertheless, exhibitors remained upbeat at the travel fair, which brings together 11 098 representatives of the tourism industry, from 187 different countries.
Gifty Kwansa, of Ghana's Tourist Board said people visited her country to "get closer to nature and know about the culture of the people."
"Ghana has very good, high class accommodation and restaurants, so we can cater for the demands of the market, be it adventure or upmarket," Kwansa said.
Tourism in Ghana, she said, had increased 15 per cent in the past three years.
Most tourists came from the US and Europe, Kwansa said, adding that many African-Americans or Africans elsewhere in the diaspora wanted to connect with their Ghanaian roots.
Mark Ofiru-Amanfo, director of Continental Tours in the Ghanaian capital Accra said he was keen to encourage visitors from countries other than the US.
"We're starting to get more people from Europe," Amanfo said. "The ITB offers us a big opportunity to promote the country's tourist attractions," he added.
Safari operator Steve Esebius Olaaka from the Ugandan capital Kampala said he was hoping to encourage more Germans to his country.
"I hope to establish contact with German travel agents, who can help spread the word about what our country offers," Olaaka said.
The five-day travel show at Berlin's Funkturm exhibition grounds opens on Saturday to the public. For many, the promise of sunshine will offer a welcome change from the bleak German winter. - Sapa-dpa