The African Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) 2024 is poised to be a landmark gathering of tourism executives, policymakers, and industry pioneers from around the world.
Taking place in the dynamic city of Gaborone, Botswana, this
year's forum aims to transform the future of African tourism, with a particular
focus on the eagerly awaited masterclass and business-to-business (B2B)
sessions.
The ATLF 2024 masterclass is crafted to provide attendees
with innovative insights, strategies, and competencies essential for navigating
the changing dynamics of the tourism sector.
Esteemed speakers will be featured, including Mark
Okraku-Mantey, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
in the Republic of Ghana, who will discuss his forward-thinking vision for
enhancing cultural and tourism development in Ghana.
Additionally, Senthil Gopinath, CEO of the International
Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) in the Netherlands, will share his
extensive knowledge on how Africa can establish itself as a premier destination
for international meetings and events.
Additional speakers include Emily Mburu-Ndoria, the director
of trade in services, investment, intellectual property rights, and digital
trade at the AFCFTA Secretariat. She will discuss how trade in services and
digital transformation can enhance tourism throughout the continent.
Lasse Ristolainen, Development Principal at Kasada Capital
Management, will share insights from her extensive background in hotel
development and investment, while also examining innovative strategies for
tourism infrastructure in Africa.
Olayinka Bandele, Chief of the Inclusive Industrialization
Section at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Sub-regional
Office for Southern Africa, will address the role of sustainable tourism in
promoting inclusive industrialization across the continent.
Lastly, Shatha Al Kaud, founder of Emportality
Sustainability Consultancy in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, a prominent advocate
for sustainability, will present strategies for integrating sustainable
practices into tourism development.
The B2B event at ATLF 2024 is set to be an engaging platform
for tourism professionals to establish new partnerships, discover investment
prospects, and participate in high-level networking. This event is designed to
foster an atmosphere where business agreements are not merely discussed but
actively pursued, promoting sustainable growth and collaboration within the
African tourism industry.
Key industry leaders will be in attendance, including
Keitumetse Setlang, CEO of the Botswana Tourism Organisation, who will present
strategies aimed at attracting international visitors to Botswana.
Nombulelo Guliwe, CEO of South African Tourism, will explore
the innovative strategies that South Africa employs to maintain its status as a
premier tourism destination in Africa. Additionally, June Chepkemei, CEO of the
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), will share insights into Kenya’s tourism
achievements and outline future initiatives to enhance the country's tourism
offerings.
Hamza Farooqui, CEO of Millat Investments in South Africa,
will address investment opportunities within Africa’s tourism sector and
emphasize the significance of developing resilient tourism economies. Kamil
Al-Awadhi, Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East at IATA, will
offer perspectives on the future of air travel in Africa and discuss ways to
improve connectivity to stimulate tourism growth.
The ATLF 2024 is poised to act as a driving force for
innovation and advancement in the African tourism sector. By uniting a
distinguished group of speakers and participants, the forum will not only
highlight the vast potential of African tourism but also deliver practical
solutions to the challenges the industry faces.
The event is organized by African Tourism Partners (ATP), a
renowned Pan-African tourism development and strategic destination marketing
advisory firm affiliated with the UN Tourism.