Gaborone, Botswana’s capital, is again at the heart of African tourism as it hosts the 7th Africa Tourism Leaders Forum (ATLF) and Awards from September 4 to 6, 2024.
The forum at the Gaborone International Convention Centre marks a significant milestone in efforts to enhance intra-African travel and tourism.
Organized by African Tourism Partners with support from Botswana Tourism, the event has attracted a diverse group of over 500 participants from 43 countries, showcasing the global interest in African tourism.
This year’s forum, themed “Charting a New Path Forward for Intra-Africa Travel, Tourism, and Investment,” focuses on reducing travel restrictions across Africa. Strategies such as harmonizing visa policies, improving transportation infrastructure, and enhancing regional cooperation are being discussed to foster business growth and facilitate smoother movement of people.
In his opening remarks, Botswana’s Vice President, H.E. Slumber Tsogwane, underscored the ATLF’s importance in positioning tourism as a key economic pillar for African nations.
“The Africa Tourism Leadership Forum is a Pan-African dialogue platform that unites key stakeholders from Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors to network, share insights, and develop strategies for expanding intra-Africa travel and tourism,” Tsogwane said. He highlighted Botswana’s efforts to establish itself as a leading destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) as part of its economic diversification strategy.
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), praised Africa’s leadership in shaping its tourism future.
In a video message, Pololikashvili described the forum as a testament to Africa’s resilience and progress in boosting connectivity and regional integration. He also noted a 5% increase in international arrivals to Africa compared to pre-pandemic levels and emphasized the crucial role of culture and creative industries in driving sustainable growth.
Botswana received accolades for its vital tourism brand, with Pololikashvili highlighting its rich cultural heritage, diverse wildlife, and unique natural landscapes.
He also expressed condolences on behalf of the global tourism community for the passing of Botswana’s Minister of Environment and Tourism, Hon. Dumezweni Meshack Mthimkhulu, acknowledging his dedication to promoting the country’s heritage.
Elcia Grandcourt, UNWTO’s Regional Director for Africa, delivered a keynote address on the need for strategic investments in intra-African travel and tourism.
She commended Botswana for its resilience and innovation within the tourism sector and noted its significant contributions to its socio-economic development. Grandcourt also referenced the latest UNWTO Barometer, which shows increased international tourist arrivals to Africa and highlights impressive tourism growth in countries like Tanzania, Morocco, and Algeria. The Barometer also indicates a growing interest in cultural and eco-tourism, which presents new opportunities for the African tourism industry.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture of Ghana, Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey, represented Ghana at the forum and participated in discussions on lifting restrictions to enhance intra-Africa travel.
As the ATLF progresses, the focus remains on promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism. The forum is a platform for discussing and implementing strategies that respect local cultures, protect the environment, and benefit local communities while advancing intra-Africa travel and driving economic growth across the continent.
The forum reaffirms Africa’s commitment to building a robust tourism industry and sets a new trajectory for tourism and investment in the region.
