The Contribution of Africa’s Tourism to Sustainable Development Goals: A Cluster Analysis on Employment, Decent Work, and Gender Equality

Tourism is critical in driving socioeconomic progress, particularly in regions like Africa. Despite its growth trajectory, Africa must catch up to other continents in tourism development. Nonetheless, the sector holds immense potential to advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the extent to which tourism impacts SDGs, especially concerning labour market dynamics such as access to resources, decent work, and gender equality, remains underexplored at a global level and within the context of the global South. This paper addresses this gap by analysing statistical indicators and employing a cluster analysis to categorise these countries based on tourism's significance in the labour market, decent work and gender equality. The results reveal three different clusters with distinct levels of reliance on tourism, job creation, and achievement of decent work for all. There are also challenges in gender equality and suboptimal youth employment. Through this exploration, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of how tourism intersects with sustainable development imperatives, particularly in the context of labour dynamics and gender equality in Africa.