ABOUT Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge

THE OBJECTIVES

The Summit is established to nurture African youth, start-ups, small enterprises and accelerator initiative to pursue opportunities across the global tourism ecosystem to become industry change-makers and future industry leaders. Other specific objectives are to:

  • Create a viable network to support youths, start-ups and small enterprises to maximise their leadership potentials;
  • help to drive a transformative change in their societies and nations at large through critical and design thinking;
  • train, inspire and equip youths across Africa to impact their world, and proffer lasting innovative solutions for growing Africa tourism sector;
  • empower youth at all levels, start-ups and small enterprises by offering market access, business development, value-partnership, mentorship and funding solutions;
  • present an opportunity for youth to showcase their tourism related businesses and bankable projects to the global marketplace in order to find the required support;
  • Offer career development opportunities for youth interested in pursuing careers in travel, tourism, tourism academia, hospitality, aviation, conservation and related industries and sub-sectors.

WHY ATTEND AND SUPPORT

  • Secure intra-Africa tourism business opportunities and market access
  • Gain insights into myriad of intra-Africa tourism innovation opportunities
  • Learn how to build tourism supply chain linkages and opportunities with big industry stakeholders including leisure, MICE and travel technology;
  • Learn about post Covid-19 “new world” opportunities in terms of technology, financing and market access for start-ups, academia, investors, accelerators and venture builders;
  • Network with among others, potential investors, public sector entities, start-ups, academia, corporations, accelerators and venture builders;
  • Meet local and regional innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem with international tourism leaders supporting start-ups in scaling up their businesses;
  • Exchange of knowledge, business models and build partnerships;
  • Learn about strategies for developing robust innovation culture in tourism anchored on skills development for business growth;
  • Learn how to develop creative tourism solutions through the application of disruptive technologies;
  • Be equipped with new skills in travel & tourism technology and new quality standards
  • Gain from career guidance as fresh high school and university graduate interested in travel and tourism eco-system careers; and
  • Be part of new and exclusive intra-Africa marketplace for youth, start-ups and SMMEs.

WHO ATTENDS

Approximately 250 in-person and over 1600 virtual attendees including Ministers, tourism officials, policymakers, SMMES, start-ups, students, entrepreneurs and government officials from Africa and the rest of world. Among these are young women-owned and run tourism businesses, venture capitalists, tourism innovators, techprenuers, entrepreneurs, university students, university lecturers, start-ups, representatives of youth agencies, officials of youth public institutions, education centres, investors and incubators/accelerators around compelling tourism issues. Others are executives and representatives and staff of  youth development, entrepreneurship, tourism career guidance and development organisations. 

Key stakeholders, partners, supporters and participants include corporations, international development organisations, financial institutions, government ministries responsible for youth, sports and recreation, education centres, universities, civil society organisations, investors and incubators/accelerators. Others are leisure tourism, business tourism and MICE organisations interested in succession planning and youth development across Africa.

JOIN THE EVENT Why attend Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge

Intra-African Business Opportunities

Secure business opportunities and market access within Africa’s tourism sector, and participate in exclusive marketplaces for youth, start-ups, and MSMEs.

Networking

Connect with potential investors, public sector entities, start-ups, academia, corporations, accelerators, and venture builders to exchange knowledge and forge valuable partnerships.

Gain New Insights

Learn about intra-Africa tourism innovation opportunities, develop creative solutions using disruptive technologies, and explore post-COVID opportunities in technology, financing, and market access

Advance Your Career

Equip yourself with new skills in travel and tourism technology, receive career guidance as a fresh graduate, and focus on skills development for business growth within the tourism industry.

EARLY BIRD TICKET Learn new tourism innovations and connect industry Leaders

$ 399

LISTEN TO THE Event Speakers

Barry Clemens

CEO, Hospitality EQ. Co-host - AYTIS 2025-2027. Chairperson, Innovation Challenge

Natalia Bayona

Director - Innovation, Education And Investments UN Tourism

Mr. Kwakye Donkor

CEO, Africa Tourism Partners, South Africa

H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili

Secretary General Of The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Spain

Håvar Bauck

Founder, Hotelonline, Kenya. Co-host - AYTIS 2025-2027

Elcia Grandcourt

Director, Africa Department, UNWTO, Spain

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