Twitter users have launched a powerful online campaign to shatter stereotypes surrounding Africa by revealing the continent’s diverse and largely unreported beauty.
By posting stunning images of everyday life from all corners of the continent, Twitter users are combating a portrayal that has
Twitter users have launched a powerful online campaign to shatter stereotypes surrounding Africa by revealing the continent’s diverse and largely unreported beauty.
By posting stunning images of everyday life from all corners of the continent, Twitter users are combating a portrayal that has heavily focused on famine and warfare in recent years.
The user-generated campaign is sweeping the Twitterverse with supporters including UNWTO sharing the hashtag #TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowsYou to promote tourism and demystify perceptions.
Elcia Grandcourt, UNWTO, Regional Director for Africa told MailOnline Travel why the empowering campaign was necessary and has been so popular.
She said: ‘Tourism is one of Africa’s most promising sectors, and represents an immense opportunity to advance inclusive development and environmental protection across the continent.
‘However, tourism´s development capacity is often hindered by lack of knowledge or misperception about the reality in Africa.
‘UNWTO fully supports the social media campaign #TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowsYou as it highlights many of the positive stories of Africa.’
Ms Grandcourt added : ‘There is a clear need to combat the negative perception of Africa and showcase its numerous positive stories and images – its rich beauty, incredible cultural heritage and diverse natural wonders, economic growth and innovation – which do not usually reach a global audience.’
‘This campaign is a true display of social media´s empowering voice, particularly for the African people who can show the real Africa first hand and help encourage more tourists to visit and contribute to the region´s socio-economic development.’
The movement which started as a continent-wide trend on Twitter has begun to splinter into country specific highlights, with users showcasing a new and surprising perspective on each destination.
No doubt, Boko Haram is having its toll on some parts of Nigeria right now, but in spite of that, Nigeria has grown fat in its beauties. When Nigerian beauties are brought to this radar, it will swell it. (DailyMail).