Atlf Announces Packed Programme

The Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) from September 3-6 at the Grand Palm Hotel in Botswanas capital, Gaborone, will present a holistic programme of topics and events covering the tourism, cultural, creative and tech industries.

The event will aim to foster collaboration, innovation and investment across Africa.

It will begin with a B2B and business-to-government networking session, featuring the Intra-Africa Road Show and Speed Marketing Exhibition. Facilitated by the Africa Tourism Private Sector Alliance, the session will showcase brands such as Marriott International and partners as well as regional presentations from Southern Africa, West Africa, East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.

Parallel to the networking session, the Grand Palm Hotel will host entrepreneurial training and coaching sessions. Key speakers will include Devota Mdachi , Co-chairperson of the Africa Tourism Leadership Awards and Dr Richmond Kwame Frimpong , Managing Director of Industrial Zone Ghana who will provide insights on effective sales pitches, relationship management and the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Prof Nellie Swart , a Certified Meeting Professional and Associate Professor: Tourism Management at the University of South Africa, will lead a conversation about innovative pathways for youth entrepreneurship in tourism.

On the second day, the official opening of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Forum will feature prominent figures such as Botswana Tourism CEO Keitumetse Setlang and Botswanas Minister of Environment and Tourism, Dumezdweni Mthimkhulu , alongside Emily Mburu-Ndoria , Director of Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights and Digital Trade of the AfCFTA Secretariat. The day will include discussions on the implementation of AfCFTA through the tourism, creative and cultural industries as well as the Pan African Tourism Fund, focusing on investment in tourism infrastructure and accommodation.