The big announcement by South African Tourism in the middle of November 2021 on the return of the continent’s big two events after a year and a half hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic was received with excitement by the travel and tourism trade in the Africa region and beyond.
As we have come to know and experienced the devastation of covid-19, the earlier we begin to learn how to live with the virus and go about our lives and save jobs, the better would it be for all of us and the entire world.
As we return to live events amidst the loss of beaming smiles as a result of the face coverings and masks, it is our hope that organizers will pay tributes to colleagues who we have lost as a result of the virus or other sickness /situation.
We need to give credit to event organizsers and governments who even went ahead to allow for staging of events as it brimmed back some confidence and restored some hope for the ailing tourism sector. CEO of Africa Tourism Partners Kwakye Donkor deserved some plaudits against all odds, managed to successfully organize ATLF in 2020 and 2021 in Rwanda as well as the maiden youth in tourism innovation summit in Accra, Ghana.
In this brief celebration of the return of the live events, we list fully and partially confirmed events in the Africa region for the year 2022. It will be reviewed as we get them from event organizers and destination managers.
Meetings Africa 2022
Date: 28th February- 2nd March 2022
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Register here
Meetings Africa is the continent’s leading MICE event which begins the year and assembles all the movers and shakers of the industry. Things will not be the same as sanitary adherence will mean the optics and how we use to participate will be different from the last event held in 2020.
WTM Africa 2022
Date: 11-13, April 2022
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa
Register here
WTM Africa 2022 is a pivotal opportunity to put yourself at the forefront of a new era of travel. This is your platform for reconnecting with the industry, featuring a new hybrid format that provides a safe and powerful way to harness both face-to-face and online opportunities. Put your brand in front of buyers, influencers and tens of thousands of potential customers as the industry comes back to life. With our unique matchmaking tools and speed networking sessions, we’ll connect you directly with the people who matter most for your business success. Claim your place in a re-emerging industry at WTM Africa 2022 — and together, we’ll rebuild travel.
Africa’s Travel Indaba
Date: 2-5 May 2022
Venue: Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, Durban South Africa
Register here
Africa’s Travel Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar. It showcases the widest variety of Africa’s best tourism products and attracts international buyers and media from across the world
AviaDev Africa Conference,
Date: 8-10 June 2022
Venue: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Register here
AviaDev Africa is delighted to welcome you to the treasure island of Madagascar for AviaDev Africa’s 6th edition. AviaDev Africa is the premier forum dedicated to growing connectivity to, from and within the African continent. Bringing together airports, airlines, tourism authorities, governments and industry suppliers, AviaDev offers attendees the ability to pre-arrange meetings, in professional surroundings, offering the best chance to make a real connection. AviaDev Africa will bring together the key players in the African aviation community to forge new collaborations and partnerships to ensure that Africa remains connected regionally and internationally. The programme will be fully immersive and will include a chance to connect with your community, collaborate with your industry peers and make a change for a more connected Africa.
Karibu Kilifair 2022
Date: June 3-5, 2022
Venue: Arusha, Tanzania
Register here
KARIBU/KILIFAIR is the leading international Outdoor Tourism & Industry Fair in Tanzania, promoting and presenting companies based in the Kilimanjaro-Region, Tanzania and East Africa as a destination. It presents the right platform for one to get new business ideas by meeting business people from different countries such as Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda while networking and doing business.
Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE)
Date: First week of October 2022
Venue: Nairobi, Kenya
Having postponed the in-person event of MKTE on two consecutive years (2020 & 2021), the management of the Kenya Tourism Board along with its organising partner Onshow solutions staged the maiden virtual MKTE Event last year. The CEO of KTB Dr. Betty Radier in an interview with VoyagesAfriq said, they are optimistic about returning to a live event and an opportunity to celebrate its 10th anniversary differed as a result of the pandemic.
MKTE is an opportunity to access a gathering of East Africa’s tourism leaders, policymakers, leading tourism products, global buyers and media.
Until the pandemic, MKTE was on a strong growth trajectory. 2019 welcomed over 200 exhibitors from Africa to meet with over 150 global buyers from 25 of Kenya’s key source markets. 6000 pre-scheduled meetings take place at the expo through an effective business matchmaking system, which drives business potential at the expo. Attendees can also participate in seminars and market presentations to gain the latest industry trends. MKTE is designed to boost Africa sales from major global markets and we’re excited at the growth prospects for Kenya in particular.
Sustainable Tourism Africa Summit (STAS22)
Date:26-27 May 2022
Venue: Diani- Kenya
Register here
The Sustainable Tourism Africa Summit features sustainable tourism masterclasses, presentations, workshops, side events, exhibitions and sustainable tourism awards. For three days, the businesses, leaders and professionals present their solutions, business models and innovative products. The Sustainable tourism Africa summit also supports the creation of networks that drive the sustainability of business and destinations.
