South African Airways, the flag carrier airline of South Africa, has partnered with the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit 2023. The partnership aims to offer discounted airfares to all delegates travelling to Namibia from various destinations serviced by SAA to the Summit.
The summit is scheduled for 31 May 2023 to 02 June 2023 and will be held in the coastal city of Swakopmund. Delegates may fly to Windhoek and join ground transfers provided by the event-organising partners at no extra cost.
Building on the success of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit 2022, this year’s summit is set to host 350 physical delegates and over 1,500 online participants worldwide. As the world meets in Namibia, the delegates can indulge in various activities, including the Dolphin cruise, sunset cruise, cultural tours, and the Doon 7 experience.
The Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Forestry, and Tourism Namibia has provided exhibition space for tourism stakeholders and delegates to showcase their products and services. Other key sessions include the B2B Speed Marketing Session, MICE and Digital Marketing Masterclass, Namibia’s investment opportunities, and the presentation of leisure tours.
Among the invited speakers are Gonaya Monei E. Sethora, Women and Youth in Trade Expert| Directorate of Institutional Matters and Programme Coordination (DIMPC), AfCFTA Secretariat, Prudence Sebahizi – Director | Directorate of Institutional Matters and Programmes Coordination (DIMPC), AfCFTA Secretariat, Dr. Urs Aebischer – Founder of DISEO Switzerland, Kele Tlouane – DDG, TEDET, Limpopo, South Africa, Ian Putter – Head Blockchain Centre of Excellence, Regional Director Blockchain Research Institute Africa and Board member of Hedera Hashgraph, Switzerland, Dr. Isobel Green – Head of Department: Hospitality & Tourism, Namibia University of Science & Technology, Namibia, Alka Bhatia – UNDP Resident Representative to the Namibia, Shabnam Vadachia – Head of Sales Market, Fly SAA, South Africa, Ibukunoluwa Salau – Founder and CEO, Direx, Nigeria, Cornelius Ugwunwa – CEO, Kardinal Technologies Inc, Nigeria, Lehong Ntshabo – Managing Director, Makeeda HTW, South Africa, Mikul Shah – Co-Founder & CEO, Purple Elephant Ventures, Kenya.
The top 5 finalists of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge 2023 will be announced on the 02 of June 2023. This will be preceded by a boot camp for the finalists and their mentors. Registrations for both physical and virtual participants are ongoing.