With 16 days remaining, the countdown has officially begun for the 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) & Awards 2026. Convening at the Meropa Casino and Entertainment World in Polokwane, South Africa, from 2 to 4 September 2026, this flagship Pan-African forum will serve as the engine room for groundbreaking travel, investment, and trade partnerships across the continent.
Organized by Africa Tourism Partners (ATP), hosted by the Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) and powered by the Provincial Limpopo Government, this year’s forum addresses a pivotal moment for African tourism focused on unlocking intra-African mobility, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and scaling sustainable hospitality investments.
To ensure democratized access for global stakeholders, organizers have launched the ATLF 2026 Virtual Pass, giving international delegates, tech entrepreneurs, travel operators, and media real-time digital access to all plenary sessions, keynotes, and cross-border networking sessions.
The Power List: Meet the Minds Driving Growth
ATLF 2026 brings together an extraordinary council of visionaries, policymakers, and capital leaders who are rewriting the playbook for intra-Africa tourism, trade, and economic development. Key speakers headlining this year’s forum include:
- Amb. Albertus Aochamub – Chief Executive Officer (Interim), Meatco, Namibia
- Emily Mburu-Ndoria – Director: Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights and Digital Trade, AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana
- Zaim Muhammad – Chief Operating Officer & Managing Partner, Red Berry Group, UAE
- Dr. Shatha Al Kaud – Founder and CEO, Emportality Sustainability Consultancy, Saudi Arabia & UAE
- Gerrit Davids – Procurement, Governance, ESG, and Business Advisory Specialist, South Africa
- Keleabetswe Tlouane – Deputy Director-General: Environment and Tourism (DDG), LEDET, South Africa
- Tebogo Tsimane – Chief Commercial Officer, South African Airways, South Africa
- Inga Mtolo – Senior Consultant: Strategic Development and Advisory, BDO, South Africa
- Olivier Ponti – Director of Market Intelligence & Insights, Amadeus, Spain
Distance no longer stands between global delegates and the continent’s biggest tourism deals with the launch of the ATLF 2026 Virtual Pass, which delivers seamless, interactive access to every critical moment of the forum directly from your screen. Designed to democratize participation for international stakeholders, tech founders, and travel operators, the virtual pass features live keynote streaming that puts you front and center for real-time insights from world tourism leaders, sector ministers, and top investors. Beyond watching the presentations, virtual attendees can actively build strategic partnerships across 56+ countries through built-in digital networking tools, ensuring distance isn’t a barrier to deal-making. Additionally, complete access to on-demand content allows you to catch up on ministerial panels, trade debates, and key presentations on a flexible schedule that fits your time zone, making high-level Pan-African travel and trade opportunities accessible from anywhere in the world.
For industry players looking to get noticed by sector ministers, hotel developers, travel-tech founders, and regional decision-makers, time is running out to secure an exhibition space, as availability is down to the final few spots situated directly at the heart of the main delegate break hubs for maximum foot traffic. Whether you are aiming to showcase your brand directly on the floor or participate as a delegate, registration for both in-person attendance and global virtual access is currently open online at www.africatourismpartners.com
To reserve one of the remaining exhibition stands or inquire about strategic sponsorship opportunities, reach out directly to Ms. Palesa Motekase via email at palesa@africatourismpartners.com or on WhatsApp at +27 81 303 7030 to lock in your spot before space completely sells out.
For full event registration, media accreditation, and accommodation details, visit www.tourismleadershipforum.africa.
