Nominations for the 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Awards are now officially open. As the premier pan-African industry honours, these awards recognize and celebrate the change-makers and innovations pioneered by Africans, in Africa, for the African travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors. The prestigious awards ceremony will take place as part of the 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum, held in Polokwane, the capital of South Africa’s northernmost province of Limpopo, from 2 to 4 September 2026.
The nomination period runs from 16 March 2026, and the committee welcomes both self-nominations and peer recommendations. The award categories highlight excellence across the entire tourism value chain, including the Leading in Progressive Policies Award, Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award, Outstanding Africa Tourism Media & Marketing Award, and the Women in Leadership Award. Further categories include Championing Sustainability, Most Innovative Business Tourism Destination, Outstanding Accommodation Facility/Group, Outstanding Tourism Transportation, and the venerable Destination Africa – Lifetime Award.
Nominees are expected to demonstrate a clear commitment to leadership through sustainable practices and forward-thinking policymaking. Eligible candidates include individuals, small enterprises, countries, heads of state, destinations, cities, hotel groups, organizations, ministers, and entrepreneurs.
As noted by Devota Mdachi, Co-Chair of the Africa Tourism Leadership Awards, the 2026 nomination window serves as a prestigious platform to honour the pioneers transforming the African travel landscape.
“We wish to welcome the continent’s travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation community to participate in the nominations for the Africa Tourism Leadership Awards 2026. These awards celebrate the continent’s best of the best and true trailblazers, who have through their work and leadership shown excellence, shaped policies, made meaningful changes and brought lasting impact to the continent’s tourism industry. This is the moment when the world and especially the African continent says ‘I see you and appreciate what you have done!’ We encourage travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation leaders from the private and public sector to join us and participate in celebrating our African tourism heroes!!”, Says Mdachi, Co-Chair, Africa Tourism Leadership Awards.
The winners will be announced at the 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (www.tourismleadershipforum.africa), which is hosted by the Limpopo Tourism Agency under the guidance and partnership of Africa Tourism Partners.
The ATLF serves as a vital gathering of industry thought leaders aimed at advancing entrepreneurship, women and youth empowerment, and recognizing the industry’s most impactful change-makers. As a Pan-African forum, the ATLF and its associated awards provide a platform for advocacy, knowledge sharing, and the development of firm, implementable actions designed to stimulate intra-Africa travel growth.
The 2026 edition of the ATLF is expected to draw over 350 physical delegates and 2, 000 virtual attendees. Renowned speakers from across the globe will deliver a content-rich program through dedicated Ministerial, CEO, and Executive sessions. Discussions will also focus on strengthening Brand Africa’s competitiveness through futuristic approaches to bidding and hosting association meetings.
For any inquiries, please contact Palesa Kgadi at palesakgadi@africatourismpartners.com or call +27 11 318 1714 / +27 78 430 7489.
About Africa Tourism Partners
Africa Tourism Partners (ATP) is a UN Tourism-affiliated, award-winning Pan-African tourism development and destination marketing advisory firm. ATP specializes in tourism and MICE strategy, investment facilitation and promotion, research, master planning, destination market development, and capacity building across Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation, and golf sectors.
Our clients and partners include UN Tourism, the 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, Ethiopian Airlines, Tanzania Tourism Board, Kenya Tourism Board, Uganda Tourism Board, Gauteng Tourism Authority, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Nigeria, among others.
About Limpopo Limpopo as a province of South Africa, serves as a leading eco-tourism destination and shares borders with Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. The provincial capital, Polokwane, anchors a region renowned for its diverse natural landscapes, including the Kruger National Park, Mapungubwe World Heritage Site, and the Waterberg Biosphere.
