Africa Youth in Tourism and Innovation Summit to shape Future of Sector

Share
Tweet
Post
Send

The third Africa Youth in Tourism & Innovation challenge summit is scheduled to take place in Ghana’s capital of Accra from July 27-30, 2021.

The event which will be conducted in a hybrid format is aimed at mentoring and bringing the continent’s wonderful youthful minds to interact with leaders of the tourism and technological world.

The august gathering is organized by Africa Tourism Partners in collaboration with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) BDO and hosted by the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Tourism Authority.

With the tourism sector still reeling from the ravaging coronavirus pandemic, the event has come at the right time to help address the opportunities that the pandemic presents to the tourism sector.

Themed’’ empowering African youth through tourism innovation, education, and investments in a changing world’’, the summit focuses on skills development and innovation methodologies for youth in leisure and business tourism as well as MICE. It also highlights the need for an ecosystem approach among tourism stakeholders to enable entrepreneurs to grow and develop. This being the 3rd year running, the Pan-African summit gathers youth, start-ups (in leisure tourism and MICE), and professionals to harness the potential of this sector by sharing insights, knowledge, experiences, and opportunities.

The Regional Director of Africa at United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Elcia Grandcourt says the coronavirus pandemic has presented the tourism sector and the youth an opportunity to use technology and innovation to develop sustainable job models to shape society. ‘’With the adverse effects of covid-19 on the tourism sector, innovation and the use of technology offers an opportune platform for disruptive projects that are changing the way people travel and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be harnessed as models for the future. The Africa Youth in Tourism and Innovation Summit is aligned with UNWTO’s Agenda for Africa; Tourism for Inclusive Growth’’

Speakers include Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dr. Ibrahim Awal Mohammed, UNWTO’s Regional Director for Africa Elcia Grandcourt, CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority Akwasi Agyeman, Salifou Said, Judy Kepler-Gona, Natalia Bayona (UNWTO), Amadeus (Racquel), AirBnB (Velma), Amanda, Richard Perez (Hasso Plattner Foundation, UCT), Prof Kim Shapiro (Cornel University), Dianne (MasterCard Foundation), CEO (Capital Hotels), Christelle (BDO), Regina Honu, York Zucci and Ashiwn (MEST Africa).

The Innovation challenge has received entries from youth innovators from eight African countries including Botswana, Burundi, Ghana, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Zambia.

Shortlisted Innovation Challenge competitors will have the opportunity to be supported and mentored to compete in the UNWTO Global Innovation Challenge. Participants in the Summit and competition will benefit in many ways such as:
• career guidance for fresh high school and university graduates interested in travel and tourism and MICE eco-system careers;
• Creating a new exclusive marketplace for African Youth and Start-Ups and SMMEs in leisure tourism, business tourism and MICE
• Gaining insights into supply-chain linkages, market access, funding, business recovery and continuity opportunities between start-ups established & big industry stakeholders across leisure and business travel as well as MICE;
• synergies amongst public sector entities (including National Tourism Organisations, Convention Bureaux and Conference Centres), start-ups, academia, corporations, investors, accelerators.

The five (5) shortlisted competitors will participate in the finals of the Youth Innovation Summit and Challenge that will take place on the margins of the annual Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) and Awards scheduled to take place in Rwanda in mid-November.

Register here

Share
Tweet
Post
Send

Related Posts

SA:  Park Hyatt Johannesburg Unveils Room 32 

 In a city where culinary ambition is on the rise, Park Hyatt Johannesburg has quietly – and confidently – opened the doors to Room 32, a refined dining destination that

Sponsored

Follow Us

Follow Us on X

Thank you, Your Excellency President Tshisekedi @fatshi13 for lighting up the inaugural #WorldMusicTourismFestival and my deep and heartfelt thanks to my brother Minister Didier M'Pambia, your unstoppable passion in putting the DRC and Africa’s vibrant culture on the global stage

#VoyagesAfriq | Two days until the Seychelles becomes the world's sailing stage!

Race by day, revel by night.

Daily ceremonies, exotic anchorages & marine beauty await.

Join the Seychelles Challenge from 20–29 July 2025.

#SailingSeychelles

https://seychelles.com/listingdetails/6716230f292e62692459b790?utm_source=digital-marketing&utm_campaign=The-Seychelles-Challenge-2025&utm_medium=landing-page

#VoyagesAfriq | Network under Kenyan skies.

Engage with tourism leaders & forge partnerships that span continents.

Visit Essence of Africa 2025 in Malindi, 7–9 Oct 2025.

Build relationships that last!
https://essenceofafrica.travel/

#VoyagesAfriq | Ready to reshape your tourism business?

WTE Miami 2025 is your platform!

Join us Sept 17–18 in the city where innovation meets opportunity.

Register early for premium access and exposure!

https://www.wtemiami.com

Load More