Africa

Technological advances in 2024 will continue to reshape consumer behaviour. This annual report explores the top five digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this report’s edition…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…

Travel and tourism in South Africa has faced persistent challenges due to rising input costs, particularly related to supplying quality water to clients and dealing with frequent power outages. Water supply and water quality challenges have been…

Travel and tourism in South Africa has been sustained by the domestic market despite major airlines being grounded in 2022 and an increase in aviation fuel prices. Tourist arrivals from Europe and the US have started to regain momentum in 2023, with…

As international tourist arrivals to South Africa experience a resurgence, there has been a significant increase in airlift capacity, reaching levels comparable to pre-pandemic years. Cape Town International Airport, in particular, has reported a…

There continues to be a noticeable preference for shorter lead-time bookings, particularly when it comes to holiday destinations that are closer to the customer’s home and offer lower travel costs. These include journeys that can be easily undertaken…

In 2022, airlines in South Africa faced unexpected challenges, leading to devastating consequences for the country's major competitors. Mango, the low cost carrier of South African Airways, had its licence suspended for two years, while Comair, the…

The travel and tourism industry in Egypt has been experiencing a remarkable revival, marked by increased occupancy rates, sustainable tourism initiatives, and the expansion of source markets. Collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Tourism and…

The ongoing Russia invasion of Ukraine has had a global impact, including a direct effect on Egyptian tourism due to a decline in Ukrainian tourist arrivals. Despite this challenge, Egypt's tourism industry has strategically expanded its reach to new…

Egypt's hotel industry has been experiencing dynamic growth, with numerous hotels opening and many more expected to launch in the near future. From IHG Hotels and Resorts' Crown Plaza Hotel in West Cairo's Arkan Sheikh Zayed in February 2022 to…

The recovery and growth of travel intermediaries in the post-pandemic era have presented unique challenges, but through a series of strategic campaigns and initiatives, the industry has managed to make significant strides. These campaigns, coupled…

Egypt's national carrier, Egypt Air, is leading the way in sustainable aviation in Africa by launching its inaugural eco-friendly flight service in 2022. Operating a Boeing 787 from Cairo to Paris, this initiative, known as the Green Flight, is part…

Travel in Morocco continued to recover in 2023, with the volume of trips seeing significant growth over the previous year. One key factor contributing to this trend was the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which increased the visibility of the country as a…

The volume of inbound arrivals (in terms of number of trips) continued to expand in 2023, falling just short of pre-pandemic levels. One key factor contributing to this trend was the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which increased the visibility of the country…

Hotels in Morocco continued to bounce back in 2023, with the number of room nights edging closer to pre-pandemic levels. The sector suffered during the pandemic, due to mobility restrictions, with resulted in some hotels closing on a temporary basis.…

Retail sales of bookings continued to grow strongly in constant value terms in 2023. This rebound was driven largely by leisure travel, with a notable rebound in international arrivals from France, Spain and the UK. Here, the country benefits from…

The number of people travelling by air continued to grow in 2023, with volumes exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Local airlines responded to the increase in demand by reopening routes that had been closed during the pandemic, as well as adding new…

In 2023, Kenya's travel landscape is undergoing transformative trends that hold significant promise for its tourism industry. The relaxation of China's travel ban marks a crucial turning point, instilling renewed optimism in Kenya's tourism sector.…

In 2023, Kenya's tourism industry is poised to experience a resurgence with the reopening of China to international travel. This presents a promising opportunity for growth, as Chinese visitors have the potential to significantly contribute to the…

Hoteliers are optimistic about 2023 as they anticipate a notable surge in demand for hotel accommodations. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a shift in travellers’ preferences, leading them to reconsider their travel choices and explore new…

The war in Ukraine has had a detrimental impact on the travel industry in Kenya, including the booking sector. The conflict has resulted in an overall increase in travel costs, making it more expensive for individuals to explore various destinations…

Kenya Airways (KQ) has extended its partnership with Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) for an additional two years, reaffirming its role as the Official Airline Partner of the Magical Kenya Open. This collaboration aims to boost tourism in the country,…

This report examines the global car rental industry, providing analysis on market sizes, brand and company shares, growth trends over the review period and prospects over the forecast period. The report also considers the major trends shaping the…

Now in its seventh edition, this report explores the top digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this edition touch on topics such as second-hand shopping, community group buying,…

The recovery in travel modes sales is proving a gradual one, given the size of the losses seen in 2020, when the pandemic decimated the travel and tourism industry with its lockdowns, border closures and general restrictions on mobility. While there…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. Global inflation is reaching a peak, although geopolitical risks and uncertainty in the energy market remain key risks. The impact varies between countries, with…

The briefing introduces the Cities Households Necessities Spending Index. The index ranks 1,075 cities by household expenditure on non-discretionary items, namely food, housing, and clothing and footwear. This analysis focuses on 160 major cities.…

Slower growth, surging inflation, rising geopolitical risks and an accelerating deglobalisation trend are factors shaping the global economic, financial and trade landscape in 2022 and beyond. Despite the challenges, there are opportunities for…

As the end of 2021 approaches, almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence and rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant has increased uncertainty and weakened the momentum of the global recovery. This series of quarterly reports…

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has shaken up the consumer goods, services and payment industries in Sub-Saharan Africa, putting pressure on supply chains and depressing sales, as lockdowns and job losses squeeze discretionary spending. As a result of the…

As consumers prepare fewer meals overall, while demanding more assistance for the ones they do, spending and brand equity will accrue to those companies providing fresh prepared meals on demand, from delivery aggregators to retailers, restaurant…

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in business models and consumer behaviour, as well as altering the ways and the geography many of us live, work, study and play. Understanding what changes will stick after the pandemic…

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered the most severe global recession since World War II. In Q4 2020, the end of the pandemic started as countries began administering effective vaccines among the population; however, vaccine distribution…

As the COVID-19 pandemic drives seismic shifts across consumer markets, the key question facing business strategists is which of these changes are more reactionary in nature versus signalling the start of a long-term behavioural shift. This briefing…

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has shaken up consumer goods and service industries in the Middle East, putting pressure on supply chains and depressing sales as lockdowns and job losses squeeze discretionary spending. Essential items such as packaged food,…

Technological advances are creating unprecedented change across consumer-facing industries. The Digital Consumer Survey, fielded in March and April, offers insight into the pace and depth of this evolution, tracking consumer behaviour, attitudes,…