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Hosted by the Government of Botswana through the Botswana Tourism Organization in collaboration with Africa Tourism Partners, UNWTO and AfCFTA, the 6th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards was a resounding success. Held from October 4th to 6th at the Grand Palm International Convention Centre in Gaborone, Botswana, ATLF 2023 was preceded by Intra-Africa Travel and Business-to-Business Exchange meetings, Women in Tourism, and Tourism Entrepreneurship Masterclasses that were delivered by UNISA and international MICE knowledge partners.
As part of the ATLF 2023 success story, it is worth noting that the AfCFTA hosted the inaugural AfCFTA Forum on Tourism, Creatives, and Cultural Industries simultaneously with the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards 2023. The AfCFTA Protocol on Trade in Services is a platform that celebrates dynamic sectors, recommend solutions and advances Africa’s economic competitiveness through sustainable tourism and cultural development and seeks to ignite intra-African trade and empowerment, reinforcing a unified vision for a culturally enriched Africa.
Officially opened His Honour, the Vice President of the Republic of Botswana, Mr. Slumber Tsogwane, UNWTO Secretary General- Zurab Pololikashvili, the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Hon. Philda Nani Kereng and H.E. Elias Mpedi Magosi, SADC Executive Secretary, the Forum was attended by Pan-African and globally renowned travel and tourism industry thought-leaders, policymakers, investors and key stakeholders. Over 700 physical and over 1200 virtual delegates over the three (4) days from over 42 countries attended ATLF 2023.
Among the lead partners are BDO, Millvest Advisory, Industry Development Corporation (IDC), Marriott International, Protea Hotel Gaborone Masa Square, ICCA, South Africa Airways, Air Link, Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino, Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone, Grandeur Rentals
Over 78 renowned faculty members delivered transformational speeches interactive panel discussions, insightful presentations, Shabnam Vadachia, South African Airways, Manager Market South Africa had this to say, “The event was of an exceptionally high standard, akin to those I have attended on a global stage. My special commendation is to the young lady who managed the time and coordination of the program, she was in my books, your unsung heroine as it’s never easy to time-keep a huge event and she did a stellar job”.
About 30 buyers and tourism associations from across the globe participated at the event. Zaim Muhammad, Travel & Tourism Consultant from Dubai echoed his sentiments about the Forum. “ATLF gave me substantial experience. Since I am already promoting Africa as a Destination in the Middle East, my meetings with the African key players have enhanced my relationship and it will take us to the long-term collaboration. It has given more insights to highlight the divers & unique tourism offerings in Africa with a focus on the cultural, historical, and natural attractions”.
More than 20 international and continental media houses provided coverage of the event. The media houses include BBC News, SABC, Botswana Broadcasting Corporation, Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation, Tanzania Safari Channel, TV3 Ghana, Newzroom Africa, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Business Events Africa, Africa.com, ATA, Voyages Afriq, Channel Africa, ATC News, Gallivant Africa, WeniGlam Travel Magazine, Daily Southern and East Africa Tourism Update and Jet Sanza.
About Africa Tourism Partners
African Tourism Partners (ATP) – www.africatourismpartners.com is a UNWTO- affiliated award-winning Pan-African tourism development and strategic destination marketing advisory firm. The firm specializes in tourism and MICE strategy formulation, investment facilitation and promotion, research, master planning and destination market development and capacity building across Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation and golf sub-industries.
Our clients and partners include but are not limited to UNWTO, World Bank, Mastercard Foundation, NEPAD, AfCFTA, South African Tourism, Ghana Tourism Authority, Tourism KwaZulu- Natal, Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Convention Bureau, Rwanda Chamber of Commerce, SAACI, RwandAir, SAA, Ethiopia Airlines, Tanzania Tourism Board, Kenya Tourism Board, Uganda Tourism Board, Gauteng Tourism Authority, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Nigeria and more.
About Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO)
The Botswana Tourism Organisation was set up by the government to market tourist products and to grade and classify tourist accommodation as well as to promote investment in the tourism sector.
The organisation has successfully focused its efforts on achieving high standards and developing tourism strategies that exceed customer expectations as well as building customer confidence around the world.
Its stated aim is to develop Botswana into a unique preferred tourism destination of choice, in order to increase the sector’s contribution to the economic growth of the nation. As part of its efforts to reach this goal, the organisation is constantly expanding and promoting the international image of Botswana.
Dedicated to preserving the heritage and environment of Botswana, the organisation has laid down conservation policies and ecotourism strategies to ensure that tourism is sustainable for its inhabitants and future generations while still contributing meaningfully to the national economy.
About UNWTO
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.
About AfCFTA
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a free trade area encompassing most of Africa. It was established in 2018 by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which has 43 parties and another 11 signatories, making it the largest free-trade area by number of member states, after the World Trade Organization, and the largest in population and geographic size, spanning 1.3 billion people across the world’s second-largest continent.
