The Africa you never see: Hashtag movement sweeps across Twitter with users posting stunning real life images to dispel negative stereotypes

  • Africans post insider pictures showcasing the beauty of everyday life
  • Natural wonders, diverse cultural heritages and modern cities shared
  • Africa's tourism potential is hindered by 'misperception of reality in Africa' 

By Naomi Leach For Mailonline

Published: 12:15 EST, 14 July 2015 | Updated: 02:50 EST, 15 July 2015

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.

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Twitter users from Rwanda, Cameroon and Malawi showcased the highlights of each destination

Twitter users from Rwanda, Cameroon and Malawi showcased the highlights of each destination

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.' 

Luxury pools and coastal resorts were pictured and tweeted by Shelley Chimthumba

Luxury pools and coastal resorts were pictured and tweeted by Shelley Chimthumba

Unexpected: Othmane Fettaka from Algeria posted a surprisingly wintry landscape of the diverse continent

Unexpected: Othmane Fettaka from Algeria posted a surprisingly wintry landscape of the diverse continent

Rich history: Tracy Angus-Hammond showcased the historic UNESCO treasures across Africa

Rich history: Tracy Angus-Hammond showcased the historic UNESCO treasures across Africa

Coastal beauty: Senegal is revealed as a beautifully diverse tourism destination in the movement

Coastal beauty: Senegal is revealed as a beautifully diverse tourism destination in the movement

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.

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