After much planning and consultation, the African Caribbean Travel Corridor [ACTC] is being established as a new joint venture initiative designed to transform travel, tourism and logistics connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean.
The ACTC brings together three experienced organisations and industry leaders: African Caribbean Sustainability & Investment Initiative CIC [ACSII], led by Chairman David F. Roberts; The Africa Guide, led by Dr Vicki L. Otaruyina, Founder Group CEO; and the Africa Center for Hospitality, Aviation and Tourism [AfCHAT], led by Chief Executive Officer Akwasi Agyeman.
The initiative responds to a longstanding challenge: despite deep historical, cultural and economic connections between Africa and the Caribbean, travelling between the two regions remains unnecessarily difficult, expensive and fragmented. The ACTC seeks to change that.
Its objective is to develop an integrated Africa–Caribbean Travel Corridor connecting people, businesses, investors, tourists, students, professionals and families, while creating new opportunities for airlines, hospitality companies, tour operators, logistics providers and other travel-related businesses.
A major component of the emerging corridor will be improved direct air connectivity. Air Peace has already established direct services connecting Lagos with Barbados and Antigua, and the partners plan to build on this with further routes and gateways between West Africa and the Caribbean.
Such connections could significantly reduce the time, cost and complexity associated with travelling between the regions, while opening new markets for tourism and investment.
David F. Roberts, Chairman of ACSII, said: “For too long, the Atlantic has connected Africa and the Caribbean historically and culturally, but not sufficiently through modern transportation and commercial infrastructure. The African Caribbean Travel Corridor is about changing that. We want to make Africa–Caribbean travel easier, more affordable and commercially meaningful.”
Dr Vicki L. Otaruyina, Founder & Group CEO of The Africa Guide, added: “The Caribbean is one of Africa most important global communities and markets, yet there remains a significant travel and tourism gap between our regions. ACTC is designed to turn that gap into an opportunity by creating practical pathways for people to travel, discover, invest and do business across the Atlantic.”
Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of AfCHAT, said: “Connectivity is fundamental to the growth of tourism. By bringing African and Caribbean tourism stakeholders together and improving access between the two regions, ACTC can contribute to a new era of tourism development, investment and collaboration.”
The ACTC will explore and develop opportunities across aviation, tourism, hospitality, logistics, travel technology, destination marketing and investment, while working with governments, airlines, airports, tourism authorities and private- sector partners.
Beyond aviation, the initiative is intended to create a wider ecosystem that supports seamless movement between Africa and the Caribbean and strengthens the commercial relationships underpinning the Africa–Caribbean economic corridor.
The launch comes at a time of growing interest in strengthening Africa–Caribbean relations and unlocking the enormous potential of the global African and Caribbean diaspora. The partners believe that improved connectivity can become a catalyst for increased tourism, business travel, investment and cultural exchange.
About The Africa Guide
The Africa Guide is a diaspora-first media, tourism and cultural intelligence platform covering all 54 African nations. Founded and led by Dr Vicki L. Otaruyina, Founder & Group CEO, The Africa Guide builds bridges between Africa and its global diaspora through media, storytelling and strategic partnerships, including the Africa–Caribbean corridor of work reflected in the ACTC.
About AfCHAT
The Africa Centre for Hospitality, Aviation and Tourism [AfCHAT], based in Ghana, is led by Chief Executive Officer Akwasi Agyeman. AfCHAT works to strengthen hospitality, aviation and tourism development across Africa, connecting industry stakeholders, airlines and destinations to grow the continent’s travel economy.
About ACSII
The African Caribbean Sustainability & Investment Initiative CIC [ACSII] is a Community Interest Company chaired by David F. Roberts. ACSII works to build sustainable investment, trade and development links between Africa and the Caribbean, including through the ACSII Trade-Bridge Mission.
Source: Press Release