Johannesburg, Tuesday 31 May 2022: Another opportunity to enter the 4th Africa Youth in Tourism Summit and Innovation Challenge. Africa Tourism Partners and the Namibia Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) in collaboration with UNWTO and BDO South Africa are pleased to announce the extension of the 2022 4th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge entries to 20 June 2022.
COVID – 19 has impacted all industries on a global scale and tourism has been no exception to this. Development of young people and innovative entrepreneurship is the driving force to creating sustainable and inclusive tourism recovery in Africa. It is time for youth in tourism to think bigger, think green, and think long term as stakeholders continue to build, sustain and elevate the sector. No idea is too small, if it brings value to this continent, it is worth being part of the Innovation Challenge
With the increasing number of young innovators taking interest in the 4th Africa Youth in Tourism Summit and Innovation Challenge, event conveners have extended the deadline to give an opportunity for more young innovators to submit their projects and stand a chance to participate in Africa’s only pan-African Youth and Start-up in Tourism Summit
The Summit is a platform that calls for youth running innovative and solution-driven projects that go beyond technology but are related to the travel and tourism industry to submit their projects for review and adjudication by an expert panel of judges. Shortlisted innovators are later introduced to industry leaders and potential partners for mentorship and support. The winner of the Africa Tourism Innovation Challenge will receive a seed grant of US$1000.00, whilst 1st & 2nd runners-up receive US$500 among several benefits.
Selected top 5 candidates will be required to present 5 minutes demo to the judges for selection of the winner, first and second runner up at the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge scheduled for 27-29 July 2022 in Namibia. The Finals of the Innovation Challenge will be held in Botswana on the margins of the annual Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) and Awards to be held from 24 to 26 October 2022.
Launched in Swakopmund, Namibia on Monday 23 May 2022, the 4th African Youth in Summit Innovation Summit and Challenge will be hosted by the Government of the Republic of Namibia in Windhoek through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism. Supporting ministries include but are not limited to Namibia’s Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service (NSYNS), Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation (MHETI), and Namibia Tourism Board (NTB).
The Summit is anticipated to bring together over 250 physical and over 1000 virtual attendees including tourism youth in tourism, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small enterprises to reconnect, engage, learn and do business from 26 to 29 July 2022. Through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the Summit further aims to restore confidence and re-activate the tourism sector in order to rebuild a more resilient tourism economy in the future.
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About Africa Tourism Partners
African Tourism Partners (ATP) – www.africatourismpartners.com is a UNWTO- affiliated award-winning Pan-African tourism development and strategic destination marketing advisory firm. The firm specializes in tourism and MICE strategy formulation, investment facilitation and promotion, research, master planning and destination market development and capacity building across Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation and golf sub-industries.
Our clients and partners include but are not limited to UNWTO, World Bank, Mastercard Foundation, NEPAD, AfCFTA, South African Tourism, Ghana Tourism Authority, Tourism KwaZulu- Natal, Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Convention Bureau, Rwanda Chamber of Commerce, SAACI, RwandAir, SAA, Ethiopia Airlines, Tanzania Tourism Board, Kenya Tourism Board, Uganda Tourism Board, Gauteng Tourism Authority, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Nigeria and more.
About UNWTO
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.
Contact details:
For partnerships, sponsorships, registration, and enquiries, please contact Ms. Rejoice Chishamba at: rejoice@africatourismpartners.com / +27 (0) 11 318 1741 / +27 (0) 81 303 7030.
