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Former Zambian UNWTO rep joins African Tourism Board

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The African Tourism Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Humphrey Chibanda, Zambia’s former Permanent Representative to UNWTO based in Madrid, who has joined the African Tourism Board (ATB).

Mr. Chibanda has many tourism sessions under his belt and has been a resource person for numerous UNWTO meetings. He will serve on ATB’s Board on the Steering Committee.

New board members have been joining the organization before the upcoming soft launch of ATB taking place on Monday, November 5, at 1400 hours during World Travel Market in London.

200 top tourism leaders, including ministers from many African countries, as well as Dr. Taleb Rifai, former UNWTO Secretary General, are scheduled to attend the event at WTM.

Click here to find out more about the African Tourism Board meeting on November 5 and to register.

Mr. Chibanda intends to bring his wealth of experience in tourism to ATB so as to enable African countries to come up with ways of increasing tourism arrivals to the continent. He will devote as much time as possible to participate in meetings of ATB to help the association achieve its goals.

ABOUT THE AFRICAN TOURISM BOARD

Founded in 2018, the African Tourism Board (ATB) is an association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to and from the African region. The  African Tourism Board is part of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP).

The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research, and innovative events to its members.

In partnership with private and public sector members, ATB enhances the sustainable growth, value, and quality of travel and tourism to, from, and within Africa. The Association provides leadership and counsel on an individual and collective basis to its member organizations. ATB is rapidly expanding opportunities for marketing, public relations, investments, branding, promoting, and establishing niche markets.

For more information on the African Tourism Board, click here.  To join ATB, click here.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Travel Marketing Network
954 Lexington Ave. #1037
New York, NY 10021 USA
marketing@travelmarketingnetwork.com

USA: (+1) 718-374-6816
Germany: (+49) 2102-1458477
UK: (+44) 20-3239-3300
Australia: (+61) 2-8005-1444
Hong Kong, China: (+852) 8120-9450
Cape Town, South Africa: (+27) 21-813-5811

International Institute for Peace Through Tourism joining the African Tourism Board

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The African Tourism Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Louis D’Amore, Founder and President of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT), to the African Tourism Board (ATB) serving on the Committee of Elders in Tourism, USA.

New board members have been joining the organization before the upcoming soft launch of ATB taking place on Monday, November 5, at 1400 hours during World Travel Market in London.

200 top tourism leaders, including ministers from many African countries, as well as Dr. Taleb Rifai, former UNWTO Secretary General, are scheduled to attend the event at WTM.

Click here to find out more about the African Tourism Board meeting on November 5 and to register.

Louis D’Amore has been instrumental in promoting the travel and tourism industry as the world’s first “Global Peace Industry” since the founding of IIPT in 1986. In 1988, he organized the First Global Conference: Tourism – A Vital Force for Peace, bringing together 800 participants from 67 countries and introducing for the first time the concept of Sustainable Tourism Development.

The Global Conference also introduced a “Higher Purpose of Tourism” that gives emphasis to the key role of travel and tourism in promoting international understanding; cooperation among nations; environmental protection; and preservation of biodiversity, cultural enhancement, and valuing heritage, sustainable socio-economic development, poverty reduction, and healing the wounds of conflict.

He has since organized international and global conferences focusing on these issues in regions throughout the world, most recently in South Africa, honoring the legacies of Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. D’Amore has been a pioneer in socially- and environmentally-responsible tourism since conducting the world’s first comprehensive study on the future of tourism for the Canadian Government in the mid-70s and subsequently in 1993 developing the world’s first “Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism.”  Mr. D’Amore is Chancellor of Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management (LIUTEBM) and recipient of the International Consortium of Tourism Partners “Visionary Award.”

ABOUT THE AFRICAN TOURISM BOARD

Founded in 2018, the African Tourism Board (ATB) is an association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to and from the African region. The  African Tourism Board is part of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP).

The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research, and innovative events to its members.

In partnership with private and public sector members, ATB enhances the sustainable growth, value, and quality of travel and tourism to, from, and within Africa. The Association provides leadership and counsel on an individual and collective basis to its member organizations. ATB is rapidly expanding opportunities for marketing, public relations, investments, branding, promoting, and establishing niche markets.

For more information on the African Tourism Board, click here.  To join ATB, click here.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Travel Marketing Network
954 Lexington Ave. #1037
New York, NY 10021 USA
marketing@travelmarketingnetwork.com

USA: (+1) 718-374-6816
Germany: (+49) 2102-1458477
UK: (+44) 20-3239-3300
Australia: (+61) 2-8005-1444
Hong Kong, China: (+852) 8120-9450
Cape Town, South Africa: (+27) 21-813-5811

The tourism industry will have to put up a tough fight amid the recession

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It’s like round three in a boxing match; we’ve tFalse Bay_Hillary Fox small 2.jpgaken blows from all corners – the Ebola outbreak of 2014, the visa debacle, the drought, and now, as if it’s the final punch, a recession. Somehow, the tourism sector continues to survive for another round, nursing wounds and getting back up. But this latest blow could see tourism falling against the ropes, unless measures are taken to rescue it.

According to StatsSA, household spending is down: households spent less on transport (down 6.1%), food and nonalcoholic beverages (down 2.8%), clothing and shoes (down 6.8%) and recreation and culture (down 7.6%) during the past quarter. Money is tight, and yet still South Africans are managing to travel. They’re heading to the coast for a week, disappearing into the countryside for a sneaky weekend or taking trips to network with business partners; the airports are busy, and hotels are bustling with activity. It hardly seems like there’s a challenge, but, at some point, the rubber will hit the road, and incomes will be negated by the rising costs of living. A brief examination of the surge in the petrol price alone underscores this, especially since fuel costs contribute in turn to a jump in pricing for all road-supplied goods, including food.

Real engagement for survival

In the Cape, we’ve been battling with a drought that hasn’t just threatened industry, it’s affected the lives of everyone who lives or travels here. We’ve learned how to adapt our daily routines, everything from long baths to short showers, to how we wash dishes, maintain gardens and flush toilets – we’re nothing if not resilient. Indeed, efforts made by locals have seen us stave off the threat of having to queue for water as if we’re in some post-apocalyptic nightmare. The flipside of this other-worldly experience is curious, as Cape Town continues to rack up accolades as a world-class travel destination.

As we hear the news of a second quarter fall of 0.7%, and that this has officially plunged us into a recession, this isn’t a time to hold back: we must push ahead with our strategies for tourism development like never before. Tourism isn’t quite as volatile a sector as mining or agriculture, it’s somehow managing to keep afloat, but it’s essential to direct our thinking, marketing efforts and energy into working every angle to ensure that visitors keep on coming. After all, if locals start to hold back on travelling, our international market is the key to industry sustainability. For the 8% of South Africans employed in tourism, we must all focus our attention on telling the world about what a remarkable place we live in, and that they must come and explore it for themselves.

That’s at a personal level; as industry professionals, the time has come to develop a collaborative strategy between the private and public sector that enables tourism to grow. From mentoring initiatives and bursaries, to reducing barriers to market access for investors and SMEs, it must be made easier for businesses to roll out their plans and reach visitors. Too many SMEs collapse under the weight of the hoops they are required to jump through just to get things done – we appeal to government to intervene and make it easier for businesses to get from A to B.

That said, the cogs are turning, albeit slowly; Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom is working with the Department of Home Affairs to iron out all the barriers to access in terms of visa requirements and birth certificate-related challenges; it takes time for this to become a reality, but we’re aware that it’s happening, and welcome it.

The word “recession” is an abstract one; it sounds quite depressing, if not terrifying, but its reality is a harsh one that we must face. As individuals, we take measures to deal with it, but as an industry, we must also address how we’re going to cope. That can mean anything from adding value to what we have on offer via loyalty programmes or discounted packages, to ensuring that all our team members are going the extra mile when it comes to keeping our visitors entertained, enthralled and engaged. Even those of us who are not in tourism need to provide a grand welcome to every single person who has made the effort to travel here.

The secret comes in valuing what we have and not taking things for granted, in treating each other well, with respect and kindness. Tourism is at the heart of who we are, since it brings the world’s cultures to our doorstep. Our key to beating the recession is to work through it together and support each other. That way we can see this boxing match through to the other side, manage the blows that come, and emerge undefeated.

Enver Duminy is CEO of Cape Town Tourism

The new African Tourism Board seeks to unite the continent to unlock its tourism potential

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Africa is beautiful, but the future of the continent’s economy is dependent on how the potential of tourism is properly harnessed. The continent is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. However its tourism competitiveness is below its potential and despite the great progress that has been made, the tourism industry on the African continent remains behind other regions in terms of competitiveness.

If there is a continent under the sun that is blessed with tourism potential, it is African. From the  spectacular natural beauty of the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa to the ancient pyramids of Egypt, from the cradle of mankind of the Ethiopian rift valley to the  rushing sand dunes of the Namib desert, from the world’s best  white sandy beaches of the Seychelles to the Historical Gold Coast of West Africa, from the smoke thundering water spray of the Mighty Victoria Falls to the rich Serengeti plains overflowing with wild animals still roaming the wilderness as it was at the beginning, these are some of the unspoilt wonders that Africa still offers humanity beyond comparison to any other continent.

The tourism riches of this continent are unimaginable. However, it is unimaginable as to why the African region is not competitive and gets less than 5% share in worldwide arrivals and not more than 3% share in tourism receipts.

This calls for a radical change in the continents approach to tourism policy formulations, implementation and development in all destinations and at continental level.

If Africa’s tourism industry has to make a meaningful contribution to United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063 dubbed “the Africa we want” it calls for a unity of purpose to work together and make the continent competitive.

That is why a regional Organisation is needed to provide a dialogue mechanism between the public and private tourism stakeholders and academia within a coherent framework to give guidance in building and strengthening tourism competitiveness policies and strategies. To this end:

Aware of the global significance of the tourism industry as the world’s largest and fastest growing industry that has proved to have the power to contribute to the social-cultural and economic development and also forms an excellent instrument for promoting economic emancipation, understanding, goodwill and foster closer relations among different peoples of the world.

Conscious of Africa’s share of the world tourism receipts and global standing is below its perceived potential.

Acknowledging that the need to bolster international development cooperation through projects and programs aimed at increasing the benefits of tourism for the less privileged societies of our Region.

Desiring to promote the integration of the four dimensions of sustainable tourism development, economic growth and the end of poverty, social inclusion environmental sustainability and good governance, towards the achievement of the United Nations  17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

Mindful of the region’s rich tourism potential which offers an array of natural and man-made tourism products. Added to all these the region’s diversity of history and cultural heritage.

Deeply concerned that most of this potential remains underdeveloped and, therefore, not contributing to the economic well-being of the people of the Region.

Convinced that the realization of Africa’s tourism potential can only be achieved through unity of purpose, collective and concerted efforts by all stakeholders in the 54 countries that make up this great continent.

Wishing to contribute, through common action in tourism development, to the progress and wellbeing of the peoples of the Region

Recognizing and Considering the efforts of the international organisations’ key industry players such as World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) play in advancing tourism development on the region.

Appreciating the role of the regional body of the African Union (AU) plays in advocating for tourism development on the Region

The African Tourism Board founded in 2018 by the International Coalition of Tourism Partners is a regional organisation with an international character for both private and public sector firmed on acting as a catalyst for the development of responsible tourism and travel within, to and from the African region resulting from stakeholders desire to move with a unity of purpose on tourism development in Africa.

The fundamental aim of the Organisation is to advocate for the sustainable development and promotion of tourism as a driver for social-economic development of the Africa Region. Further to be a leading voice and advocacy authority on tourism development in Africa.

The fundamental objectives of the Organisation are to:

  • Promote regional and international understanding, peace, prosperity, and universal respect for all,
  • Advocate for the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without discrimination based on race, sex, language or religion.
  • Provide support to members and partners that are targeted at sustainable tourism development
  • Foster public-private partnerships and contribute to the safeguarding of natural, cultural and man-made tourism products of the Region.
  • Promote tourism education, training, and research

In its day to day operations, the Organization shall focus on organizing, engaging and carry out tourism activities that encourage socially, economically, and ecologically sustainable tourism activities, and that contribute to eliminating poverty and inequalities through the implementation of concrete projects. To accomplish this strategic goal the Organization shall seek to embark on but not limited to the following activities:

  • Conduct promotions, events for fundraising purposes, and other self-financed activities.
  • Conduct research and forums in association with the public, private, and international communities and publish reports that will form a basis for decision making.
  • Strengthen regional and international cooperation by encouraging public-private partnerships that contribute to the development of Africa;
  • Collaborate in the implementation of tourism projects done by other executing agencies which have similar purposes and activities.
  • Support research and innovative tourism projects that meet international standards;
  • Cooperate and carry out projects and activities with other stakeholders focusing on sports, culture, education, and human resources development as they relate to sustainable tourism development.
  • Provide training, operational support, technical assistance, human resources development, and tourism development programs aimed at bridging the gap between the rich and the poor
  • Identification of tourism investment opportunities and the preparation of investment plans, to benefiting members and
  • Implement other activities in line with the Organization’s aims and objectives

Membership is open to both Public and Private Institutions and individuals. To join the movement go to https://africantourismboard.com/join/

For more information on the African Tourism Board visit www.africantourismboard.com  or email: info@africantourismboard.com

Facebook: click here  Twitter:  @AfricanTourismB

Media Contact:

TravelMarketingNetwork
954 Lexington Ave. #1037
New York, NY 10021 USA
jts@africantourismboard.com

Global phone contacts:

USA: (+1) 718-374-6816
Germany: (+49) 2102-1458477
UK:(+44) 20 3239 3300
Australia (+61) 2-8005 1444
HongKong, China : (+852) 8120 9450
Cape Town, South Africa: (+27)-21-813-5811

FAX: +1-323-488-6311

 

Reed Managing Director Carol Weaving statement on behalf of the African Tourism Board

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Carol Weaving, managing director of Reed Exhibition is the latest board member of the newly founded African Tourism Board (ATB)

On Friday she addressed delegates attending the African Leadership Forum in Accra, Ghana.

In her statement addressing friends and colleagues from the African continent, she said; I am proud to be a founding member of the African Tourism Board. The African Tourism is an association that was formed in acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel to and from and within the African Continent.

The African Tourism Board also forms a part of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners. 

The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research, and innovative events to its members.

Carol went on to say that she was privileged to part of such a grant initiative. She pledged her support with her fellow board member and was confident the African Tourism Board will contribute to steer African Tourism into a brighter future.

Tourism wealth is an opportunity for countless communities in Africa and such an initiative can emerge and the building blocks of creating business for Africa can be paved.

Carol went on to say an example is World Travel Market Africa where 37 African countries are coming together to promote tourism. Millions of Dollars in business was generated with more than 1000 attending. She was confident this number will even increase in 2019.

Listen to Carol Weavings address:

About African Tourism Board

In partnership with private and public sector members, African Tourism Board (ATB) enhances the sustainable growth, value, and quality of travel and tourism to-from-and-within Africa.

  • The Association provides leadership and counsel on an individual and collective basis to its member organizations.
  • The Association is expanding on opportunities for marketing, public relations, investments, branding, promoting and establishing niche markets.

More information and how to join can be found at : www.africantourismboard.com 

 

 

Media Contac:
TravelMarketingNetwork

954 Lexington Ave. #1037
New York, NY 10021 USA
marketing@travelmarketingnetwork.com

Global phone contacts:

USA: (+1) 718-374-6816
Germany: (+49) 2102-1458477
UK:(+44) 20 3239 3300
Australia (+61) 2-8005 1444
HongKong, China : (+852) 8120 9450
Cape Town, South Africa: (+27)-21-813-5811

FAX: +1-323-488-6311

New Board Member for the African Tourism Board: Ghana Minister of Tourism

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The Hon. Catherine Ablema Afeku, Minister of Tourism for Ghana, recently joined the African Tourism Board (ATB) as a board member.

Founded in 2018 as a project of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) , the African Tourism Board is an association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to and from the African region.

The Hon. Afeku is a member of the New Patriotic Party and a Member of Parliament for the Evalue Gwira Constituency in the Western Region.

She was born at Axim and obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from the Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, in the year 2000.

The African Tourism Board provides aligned advocacy, insightful research, and innovative events to its members. In partnership with private and public sector members, ATB enhances the sustainable growth, value, and quality of travel and tourism to, from, and within Africa.

The association provides leadership and counsel on an individual and collective basis to its member organizations and is expanding on opportunities for marketing, public relations, investments, branding, promoting, and establishing niche markets.

The ATB is currently involved in tourism security and wellness summit in member countries, PR and marketing, media outreach, trade show participation, road shows, webinars, and MICE Africa.

The official launch of the organization is planned for later this year.

To learn more about the African Tourism Board, how to join and get involved, go to

https://africantourismboard.com/

 

Media Contact:
TravelMarketingNetwork

New York, NY 10021 USA
marketing@travelmarketingnetwork.com

Global phone contacts:

USA: (+1) 718-374-6816
Germany: (+49) 2102-1458477
UK:(+44) 20 3239 3300
Australia (+61) 2-8005 1444
HongKong, China : (+852) 8120 9450
Cape Town, South Africa: (+27)-21-813-5811

Reed Carol Weaving of Reed Exhibition appointed to the Board of the African Tourism Board

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The newly founded African Tourism Board has a new Board member. Carol Weaving, MD of Reed Exhibition, the world’s largest and most respected exhibition company joined the African Tourism Board as a Board member.

“The African Tourism Board has been formed to grow and benefit tourism on the whole of the African continent.  Knowing how important tourism is for the continent I know that together with World Travel Market Africa the Association will play a pivotal role in growing tourism in Africa.  I am excited to sit on the newly formed Board”.

In November 2013 Reed Exhibitions, the world’s largest and most respected exhibition company and part of the RELX Group, signed a joint venture agreement with the Thebe Tourism Group and Carol to acquire a majority share in Thebe Exhibitions & Projects Group (TEPG). TEPG was renamed Thebe Reed Exhibitions and was owned 60% by Reed Exhibitions, 30% by Thebe Tourism Group, with Carol Weaving retaining 10% as Managing Director.

Three years later and a desire for accelerated growth Reed bought out Thebe’s shares and now Thebe Reed is CarolWeaving

Carol brings to Reed Exhibitions, a diverse working background in the business, tourism and events industry. Over 30 years, Carol’s career has expanded through many sectors within the industry, and her knowledge and expertise spans across marketing, exhibition management, events, conferences as well as venue and facility management.

After growing up in the United Kingdom and working as the Marketing Manager for a Radio Station, Carol pursued her dream of living in South Africa, and became the youngest Director (age 29) of the Automobile Association at the Kyalami Racetrack which equipped her with the skillset she would soon need to start her own company, International Exhibition Consultants. Carol later sold majority share of this company to Dutch exhibition company RAI, and then proceeded to head up RAI in South Africa.

As the South African economy grew and expanded over her time at RAI, she realised a need to team up with an empowerment partner and proceeded to facilitate a buy-out of RAI’s shares to the Thebe Tourism group in 2004, a subsidiary of South Africa’s first Black Empowerment Company, Thebe Investment Corporation.

Thanks to Carol’s continued passion, hard work, dedication and management, Reed Exhibitions is one of the largest and most successful exhibition and venue management companies in Southern Africa and is now in a position to grow its footprint across the African continent with many new ventures in the pipeline.

The group owns major exhibition titles such as Africa Travel Week – International Luxury Travel Market Africa (ILTM Africa); Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings Africa (ibtm Africa); and World Travel Market Africa (WTM Africa), Sports and Events Tourism Exchange, Africa Automation Fair, Connected Industries, #Buy a Business Expo, Decorex Joburg, Cape Town and Durban, 100% Design South Africa, Mediatech Africa, Small Business Expo, International Sourcing Fair, Value Added Agriculture West Africa, SMART Factories, FIBO Business Summit, Fire & Feast Meat Festival and Comic Con Africa. We also offer strategic venue management solutions and our contract to manage the award-winning Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg, on behalf of its owners – the Sasol Pension Fund, stretches until 2024.

Carol is the past Chairperson of the Exhibition Association of Southern Africa (EXSA)
and current Chairperson of the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO). She also served on the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) committee.

Juergen Steinmetz,member of the current steering committee said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Carol Weaving to our board. Carol brings a wealth of experience and recognition.  We’re looking forward to working with Carol to position the African Tourism Board as an uniter in tourism.”

About the African Tourism Board

Founded in 2018, the African Tourism Board an association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from the African region.

The  African Tourism Board is part of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP)

The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research, and innovative events to its members.

  •  In partnership with private and public sector members, African Tourism Board (ATB) enhances the sustainable growth, value, and quality of travel and tourism to-from-and-within Africa.
  • The Association provides leadership and counsel on an individual and collective basis to its member organizations.
  • The Association is expanding on opportunities for marketing, public relations, investments, branding, promoting and establishing niche markets.

More information and to join ATB go to www.africantourismboard.com

African Tourism Board: The newest and fast growing initiative for Africa Travel and Tourism

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The African Tourism Board is a public-private partnership with one strong message. This message is to tell the world that Africa Tourism is becoming one destination and is wide open for business. Africa is a safe continent and welcomes tourists, investments, and partnership with open arms. Africa Tourism Board is also welcoming tourism leaders from around Africa and the rest of the world with open arms to bring leadership, innovation and investment opportunities.

Tourism leaders are sensing this drive for Africa to grow together. Leaving politics behind and by attracting tourism leaders to join this new platform to cut through the chase. African Tourism Board is all about increasing business, investments and positive awareness for the often forgotten continent.

As one of the first sponsors and founding member, The iFREE Group in HongKong  is a global company pioneering new ways to stay connected in the world of travel and mobile communications.

From international calls and data roaming solutions to Wi-Fi connectivity and unique travel products, the iFREE Group has set a goal to break down barriers and bring the world closer together, and Africa is definitely on their agenda.

African Tourism Board
African Tourism Board

The newly formed African Tourism Board  is based on the latest initiative put in place by the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) 

Travel media loves Africa and it shows. In one month journalist and publications from all corners of the world became friends of the media supporting the African Tourism Board.

The African Tourism Board is just a short month old and had put a call in for founding members. An active discussion is unfolding. Only today African Tourism Board already welcomed 100 new members and many more are eager to become pioneers in this movement for Africa, by Africans with the support of the world.

The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research, and innovative events to its members.

  •  In partnership with private and public sector members, African Tourism Board (ATB) enhances the sustainable growth, value, and quality of travel and tourism to-from-and-within Africa.
  • The Association provides leadership and counsel on an individual and collective basis to its member organizations.
  • The Association is expanding on opportunities for marketing, public relations, investments, branding, promoting and establishing niche markets.

Current activities:

Members are currently registered in the following countries:

ATB is in the process to announce an initial board of African Tourism Leaders and is in the process to integrate ongoing activities by other African Tourism partners under one roof.

The search for a CEO already started and name brand tourism celebrities are responding.

The organization already came a long way from the first announcement  published by eTurboNews on April 6, 2018.

The search for African Tourism Board founding members is still on.
Joining ATB is easy. Just visit www.africantourismboard.com and click on join us as a member. 

 

Media contact click here

Africa Business Tourism and MICE Masterclass: Featuring industry expert faculty

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With the cooperation of the newly-formed African Tourism Board www.africantourismboard.com and as part of the push to grow business tourism and MICE across Africa, industry professionals and public-sector tourism officials will be attending a three-day Africa Business Tourism and MICE Masterclass in Johannesburg, South Africa, from June 13-15, 2018. This is an innovative Continuing Professional Development (CPD) initiative being convened by key Africa Tourism Partners (ATP) with the support of key industry stakeholders including Grant Thornton, SAACI, SITE, Voyage Afriq, and the African Tourism Board.

 

This gathering is a blueprint designed to help move African tourism economies’ focus away from over-reliance on leisure to business tourism and MICE. “Hosting business events has to be one of the focal points of transformation in the tourism sector across Africa,” said Kwakye Donkor, CEO of Africa Tourism Partners. “It means direct tourism contribution to our economies through optimization of the entire tourism value chain. Therefore, tourism leaders and policy-makers in Africa have to start paying attention to this sub sector, if we are serious about increasing tourism’s contribution to Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in our respective countries,” Donkor stressed.

 

The partnership between conveners and supporting partners aims to educate and inspire the meetings and event industry in Africa, and to further the missions of African countries, particularly in relation to driving innovation and creativity in growing tourist arrival.  Chistelle Grohmann, Director at Grant Thornton, notes that the Masterclass offers attendees from private and public sector the opportunity to upskill themselves, while learning more about global trends and best practices from experts associated with ICCA, SACCI and SITE. “We’re really enthused by this initiative as it will help all stakeholders to share fresh perspectives on Business Tourism and MICE across Africa,” said Grohmann.

 

Speakers include industry experts Rudi van der Vyver – CEO of SAACI; Esmare Steinhofel – Regional Director, Africa ICCA Africa Office; Jeffers Mariku – President of Society of Association of Executives (AfSAE), Kenya; Prof, Adesoji Adesugba – Vice President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria; Nomasonto Ndlovu – CEO, Limpopo Tourism Agency; Miller Matola, CEO of Millvest and Former CEO of Brand South Africa; Tes Proos – Crystal Events, Africa and immediate Past President of SITE, Southern Africa; and Emeritus Professor, Ernie Heath, University of Pretoria. More expert faculty members will be unveiled in due course.

 

To register to attend, kindly contact: Ms. Thembi Mthembu: thembi@africatourismpartners.com or +28 82 806 6251 or visit http://africatourismpartners.com/micemasterclass

 

About African Tourism Partners

 

Africa Tourism Partners (ATP) is a solution-driven Pan-African strategic marketing, brand management, MICE business development and advisory services company. As a company specializing in strategic marketing in the travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation and golf sub-industries, Africa Tourism Partners’ core areas of expertise are Strategic Marketing, Brand Management, Sales and Marketing Representations, Staff Training, Capacity Building, Investment Facilitation services and MICE-E (Meetings, Incentive, Conferences, Exhibitions and Events).

 

Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, ATP has country offices and key partners in Angola, Botswana, China, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Singapore, Scotland, Tanzania, UK, USA and Zimbabwe. http://africatourismpartners.com