### Impact of security instability on travel agencies in Beni: a revealing crisis
For almost a week, travel agencies connecting Beni to Goma, through Uganda and Rwanda, have suffered an unprecedented setback. The deteriorating security situation in North Kivu, of which the city of Goma is the beating heart, is sending shockwaves not only through the tourism sector, but also through the local economy. The voice of Ghaspin Manyongo Binyongo, a travel agency manager, reveals the cruel realities of this crisis, an echo of the broader challenges facing the region.
#### A vulnerability exposed
The current situation exposes a worrying vulnerability within the travel agency sector in this part of the country. Cross-border travel, although necessary for trade and tourism, is now blocked. An analysis of data manipulated by the National Institute of Statistics of the DRC shows that tourism activity constitutes approximately 2.5% of the region’s GDP. Every day without activity not only means lost revenue for agencies, but also a decrease in the tourist influx that ultimately weighs heavily on the local economy.
It is essential to look at this impact through the prism of numbers. Travel agencies in Beni report a drop of almost 70% in their turnover during this period of crisis. This means significant daily losses, exacerbated by the fixed cost of operation that continues to accumulate despite the absence of activities. Beyond the immediate losses, the domino effect could lead these companies to lay off staff, thus increasing the local unemployment rate that is already suffering.
#### Entrepreneurship in crisis and resilience
Despite adversity, the example of Ghaspin Manyongo Binyongo and other actors in the sector highlights the entrepreneurial resilience of the Congolese. Rather than providing inaction as the only response, agencies are seeking to adapt to an unprecedented situation. Crisis management, through innovation and diversification of services, appears to be a strategy adopted by some. Efforts can be observed to explore alternative routes or even the promotion of local ecotourism in order to inevitably compensate for losses.
However, this resilience comes up against a bitter observation: the need for government support and stabilization of the security situation appears to be an essential condition for succession. The daily anxiety of operators is much more than a loss of earnings; it is the ability to envisage a medium and long-term future, integrated into the national and regional economy, that is at stake.
#### A call for collective responsibility
Faced with this crisis, it is becoming imperative that the government act quickly to restore security in the region. The voice of economic operators like those in Beni should resonate within national decision-making bodies. This requires a strong commitment to restoring peace and security, while establishing an environment conducive to economic stability.
Investors, whether local or foreign, must also be involved in this dynamic. Initiatives to attract investment through public-private partnerships could prove beneficial, not only for the travel sector, but for the entire local economy. In addition, the establishment of support programs for small and medium-sized enterprises would be a step towards economic resilience.
#### Conclusion: beyond the crisis
The situation in Goma and its periphery is a revelation of the fragility of economic chains in conflict contexts. While travel agencies are under pressure, this crisis could offer an opportunity to reexamine the economic and political structures that support the regional economy. A collective mobilization between government, private sector actors and international partners could well be the key element for a sustainable exit from this crisis. As the voice of travel agencies illustrates, the economic survival of an entire region is at stake. In an increasingly interconnected world, stability in Goma no longer depends only on itself, but on our collective will to build bridges rather than walls.
For more information, follow the developments of this situation on **Fatshimetrie.org**.