Future Here Now: Intentional Tourism = actual impact
https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/travel/the-future-is-afro-detty-december/
I've worked on tourism recruitment strategies on and off for more than 30 years, so this article particularly grabbed my attention - not only because festivals are fun, but it looks like this one was designed for a particularly high level of impact:
AfroFuture Fest occupies its own unique lane, and by design, it shares the beauty of Ghana’s cultural identity with the world. But what makes this festival so distinctive is its organizers’ ability and determination to support the Ghanaian economy. Abdullah, whose business partners are based in Ghana, strives to ensure that everyone—from production staff and event designers to maintenance workers and vendors—is from the country, and that every extra dollar poured into the festival goes directly into local hands. As a result, the economic impact has been staggering, with approximately 16 percent of Ghanaian tourism income for the year of 2019 coming from AfroFuture Fest, and an average of $2,650 spent by each festival attendee.
If you're not into music and art festivals, the significance of this might be lost.
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