Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge (AYTIS) has continued to propel sustainable advancement of the tourism industry in Africa with a huge investment in the youth, consistently focusing on making tourism smarter by celebrating innovation and leading the digital transformation of the sector; making tourism more competitive at every level through promoting investment and entrepreneurship; creating more and better jobs and providing relevant training; building resilience and promoting safe and seamless travel; and harnessing tourism’s unique potential to protect cultural and natural heritage and to support communities both economically and socially.
Africa Tourism Partners host the annual Youth initiative with the UN Tourism and BDO South Africa. Since its inception in 2019 in Durban, it has been hosted by the Governments of Ghana (Ghana Tourism Authority in 2020), Rwanda (Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Convention Bureau and Mastercard Foundation in 2021) and the Government of Namibia (Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in 2022).
This year marks the sixth edition of the summit and the final host by the Namibia government. The event was held at the Mercure Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia.
Remarks and Messages
The Secretary General of the UN Tourism, Zurab Pololikashvili praised the outstanding dedication of the government of Namibia and Africa Tourism Partners, particularly its CEO, Mr. Kwakye Donkor for their exceptional work in hosting the annual summit.
Pololikashvili, who reaffirmed UN Tourism’s steadfast commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering innovation within the tourism sector, described the AYITS as a testament to the transformative power of youth engagement and innovation, both of which are integral to UN Tourism’s vision for the future of tourism in Africa.
The UN Secretary-General noted that the summit’s main themes of innovation, education, and youth empowerment align seamlessly with the UN Tourism core priorities.
Pololikashvili then urged participants to embrace the opportunities being presented through the various initiatives provided by this forum, saying “Engage in the entrepreneurship masterclasses and innovation startup competitions as these platforms offer more than just educational resources and networking opportunities, they serve as springboards for transformative ideas. As you actively participate and leverage these resources you have the opportunity and chance to help shape the future of African tourism and contribute to the sector’s sustainable growth.”
Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia, Hon. Pohamba Penomwenyo Shifeta, MP described the African Youth Summit as a platform for young people to explore and develop actionable solutions that will shape the future of Africa’s tourism sector.
He disclosed that the travel and tourism industry, a significant contributor to Africa’s economy, must harness these drivers to create sustainable and inclusive growth.
While noting that the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism under his leadership has successfully and proudly hosted the last three editions of this auspicious event which aims to empower the African
youth in tourism with the necessary skills as we move toward the 5th industrial revolution, Shifeta urged the Namibian and African Youth at large to take space in the tourism sector, especially in technological innovation and embrace the African continental trade initiative.
The CEO of the Africa Tourism Partners, South Africa, Kwakye Donkor, disclosed that the summit has connected and brought together over 2500 African youth and over 500 tourism and affiliated industry professionals and policy-marker from over 40 countries, physically or virtually, since inception in Durban, in 2019.
Donkor also announced that ATP and its network of partners have developed this specialised youth in tourism marketplace to assist tourism start-ups, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and young people in tourism.
“The purpose is for attendees to interact, engage, conduct business, share expertise, and encourage one another through creativity. Our one-on-one career advising and development clinic, led by experienced and renowned professionals, academics, policymakers, and experts, is critical to achieving this. This has also created several economic prospects for youngsters in tourism through innovation such as mentorship, coaching, the formation of value-based business partnerships, and government backing,” Donkor said.
Africa Youth In Tourism Summit 2024: Discussions and Submissions
During the discussion and submission session of the three-day event, professionals and stakeholders in the tourism, business and technology industries provided insight in to issues bothering on technological innovation and start-up funding in tourism.
Issues, such as unravelling the layers of travel technological innovation and commercial opportunities through problem-solving and demystifying start-up funding as the barrier to navigating the path to innovation and success, were well discussed with provable solutions to challenges in the industry.
The need for partnership and the interplay between academia and the world of work was also emphasized, highlighting that tourism needs soft skills which cannot be taught at school, saying that “There is a need for education that goes beyond the classroom.”
The speakers, while urging the youth in tourism to make use of online resources to empower themselves, concluded that “if you want to change the world and the youth, change the way you educate them.”
Discussing the topic “Enhancing Youth Employability in Global Tourism and Aviation,” the first panel for the day faculty speakers noted that the global tourism and aviation industries offer diverse career opportunities, from hospitality management to flight operations. To boost youth employability in these sectors, the faculty speakers emphasised the need to focus on different pathways and provide comprehensive career guidance, noting that aviation is exciting and is more than just being a pilot.
The faculty speakers charged participants to foster the dedication and remain determined until they reach their desired goal, while also encouraging them to seize opportunities immediately.
The employability clinic with experts and speakers provided additional career advice and networking opportunities.
The second panel while talking “Leveraging Intra-Africa Travel for AfCFTA Benefits,” discussed the potential of intra-Africa travel to enhance the commercial benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). By making travel easier and more affordable, noting that AfCFTA can create unprecedented opportunities for youth and women in cross-border business, entrepreneurship, and employment.
The panel highlighted the significant strides being made to connect Africa and facilitate trade through AfCFTA, promoting greater market access, innovation, and the exchange of ideas and skills. They also touched on the immigration challenges Africans are faced with.
On the “Youth Entrepreneurship through Sustainable Tourism,” the third panel for the day disclosed that advancing youth entrepreneurship through natural and cultural heritage-based sustainable tourism can drive economic and community development. The panel emphasized the potential for young entrepreneurs to harness unique cultural and environmental assets to create authentic, eco-friendly tourism experiences that celebrate and preserve local heritage. Everything we have as Africans is right here at home, it is within us, around us, in our homes and our DNA.
While the fourth panel that discussed “Transforming Knowledge for Africa’s Future with Innovation and Technology,” noted the critical role of embracing AI and disruptive technologies in transforming Africa’s tourism landscape. Educating African youth to access these technologies is paramount. The panel advised leveraging opportunities such as this summit to develop business relationships and encouraged youth to think creatively while actively participating in the process. The speakers enlightened participants that forward-thinking approach aims to equip the next generation with the skills needed to drive innovation and economic growth across the continent.
One of the summit’s main features, the Innovation Challenge, featured innovative concepts from young inventors all throughout the continent. At the end of the tournament, three finalists from Namibia, Uganda, and Ghana were chosen. Remarkably, since the Challenge’s establishment, this is the first time a challenger from Namibia has been among the top three continental finals.
The top finalists were: Jafar Ajena, Founder & CEO, Tour Plug (Uganda); Rosalia Laudika, Founder, Secure environmental Data Acquisation Portal (Namibia), and Joseph Owiredu, Chief Executive Officer, Fihankra TravGuard (Ghana).
The winners of the Innovation Challenge will be announced at the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum in Botswana later this year, further highlighting the commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among African youth in the tourism industry.
The four-day event was well moderated by Linda Mupapa, a talented Master of Ceremony who captivated the audience with her scintillating aura, enticing them for more. Her linguistic proficiency and her natural ability to control the crowd and put people at ease.
