2009-01-10

Africa – the NY Times hot destination for 2009

The New York Times announced the "44 Places to Go in 2009", and of the 44 a full 7 were in Africa. The Hot List for Africa is (in the order listed by the NYT) the following:

Dakar, Senegal
Marrakesh, Morocco
Seychelles
Red Sea, Egypt
South Africa
Madagascar
Zambia

The USA had 10 of the 44 (obvious for the NYT's domestic US audience), 13 in Europe, 5 in Central/South America, 2 in the Middle East, and the balance of 7 in Australasia (from Khazakstan to Tasmania).

The worst read of this is that Africa is on par with the rest of the world in terms of perceived attractiveness and value as a leisure destination. The best read is that Africa comes after Europe and the USA as the most attractive destination in the world.

I particularly like the fact that Senegal is getting more attention. Dakar is safe, affordable, readily reachable from the US and Europe by air and takes its culture (music, cuisine, fashion) seriously. About time some of sub-Saharan Africa's culture got attention and not just the natural beauty and animals.

You can vote on and recommend your favourites on the NYT site. Vote early and often!