The much anticipated 2024 edition of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge (AYTIS) started Tuesday, May 28, 2024, with an Entrepreneurship Masterclass and Intra-Africa Trading Day.
The four-day event, which marked the final host by the Namibia government, following the successful 4th and 5th editions held in 2022 and 2023, was the sixth edition of the AYTIS. The event was held at the Mercure Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia.
Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenged is an exclusive platform provided to innovative African youth in travel and tourism looking for funding, partnership and mentorship opportunities to present their projects to the global marketplace to find the required support.
AYTIS has remained the “one and only” pan-Africa Youth and Start-up in Tourism Summit on the continent, serving as a pan-African platform for youth and start-ups in tourism, travel, hospitality, aviation, academia, and all related industries to connect, engage, learn, innovate, and grow.
In her welcome remarks, the Deputy Executive Director of, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in Namibia, Seimy Christoph-Shidute, noted that the Masterclass marked a momentum occasion – a celebration of youth leadership, innovation, and commitment to building and developing Africa into a vibrant and self-sufficient economy.
“This Masterclass on Entrepreneurship and intra-Africa trading underscores the pivotal role that the youth must play in shaping Innovation, enterprise and industrial development and ultimately economic growth considering that out continent is richly blessed with natural resources,” Christoph-Shidute noted.
According to her, youth, constituting around 65 per cent of Africa’s population, are recognised throughout history for their enthusiasm, innovativeness, and energy.
Christoph-Shidute then said that “still, actual youth involvement in entrepreneurship and business needs to improve, despite this recognition.”
She added that “As government, we equally recognise and wish you to address the challenges faced by our young people on the continent. The digital revolution, while promising, comes with its own set of barriers. Lack of access to diverse and local funding sources, limited representation, and the need for skills development are challenges we must overcome to ensure sustainable growth for young innovators and researchers.”
Also marking the kick-off of the 6th edition of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge was Entrepreneurship and Change-Makers School – Global Insights and Learning About the Journey of Ideation to Capital Raising, virtually discussed by the Senior Programme Manager, Intrapreneurahip L Marks, United Kingdom, Intrapreneurship Dan’Souza.
The Manager For Investment, Attraction, Namibia Investment, Promotion and Development Board (NIPOB), Selma Amutuwa took participants through the travel, tourism and other investment opportunities in Namibia.
While the Chief Executive Officer, CPL Events, Portugal, Dr. Linda Pereira, practically enlightened participants about “Becoming an African-Based Globally Recognised MICE professional: The Journey, Challenges, Solutions and Opportunities.”
The event also gave participants the luxury of networking opportunities.
