The University of South Africa (UNISA), Millat Investments, and Africa Tourism Partners have joined forces to deliver transformational entrepreneurship masterclasses for African women, youth, start-ups, and entrepreneurs in tourism through a transformational entrepreneurship masterclass. This will serve as a precursor to the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards 2023. This is scheduled for 3 October 2023 at the Gaborone International Conferences (GICC).
As one of the flagship initiatives of this year’s Forum, these masterclasses aim to transform knowledge into impact and drive innovation, change, and operational excellence across the African tourism ecosystem. Due to limited space, only pre-selected participants will gain access to them.
Hosted by the Government of Botswana through the Botswana Tourism Organisation in partnership with Africa Tourism Partners, the 6th edition of ATLF will continue at the same venue from the 4th to the 6th of October 2023. This will unite African and non-African tourism sector thought leaders and stakeholders for advocacy, dialogue, networking, learning and actionable resolutions.
Notable supporting partners include UNWTO, AfCFTA, BDO Millvest Advisory, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)—South Africa, Protea by Marriott (Massa), Hilton Garden Inn, Grandeur, Airlink, South African Airways, and SABC’s Channel Africa.
The highlights of the 2023 edition of ATLF include the launch of AfCFTA’s inaugural Forum on Tourism, Creatives and Cultural Industries in partnership with Africa Tourism Partners and the endorsement of the newly established Africa Private Sector Alliance (ATPSA) by AfCFTA. Adding to these is an intra-Africa travel and tourism Business Exchange with a high-level B2B session slated for October 3 at the GICC for trading, destination marketing and product showcases.
Thought leaders joining this year’s faculty members include H.E Petra Pereyra – EU Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana and SADC, Moseketsi Mpeta – Head, Tourism and Services at IDC, South Africa, Natalia Bayona – Executive Director, UNWTO, Hon. Austin Abraham – Mayor, Gaborone City, Republic of Botswana; Beatrice Chaytor – Head of Division, Trade in Services DTIID, AfCFTA Secretariat, Hon. Patricia de Lille, MP – Minister of Tourism, South Africa and more.
The organisers noted that stakeholders interested in attending the ATLF are advised that registration for physical attendance has been closed due to oversubscription. However, they can still participate virtually by registering on www.tourismleadershipforum.africa to access the virtual link for online participation.
