
More information on the African Tourism Board and to join visit www.africantourismboard.com
For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry
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More information on the African Tourism Board and to join visit www.africantourismboard.com
Themed “Stimulating intra-Africa Travel through thought leadership,” the 2019 Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) is the only Pan-African public-private tourism leadership dialogue platform that is convened, led, and hosted by Africans in Africa. The African Tourism Board is a strategic partner for the event.
The 2019 ATLF and Awards will be hosted by Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau in Durban, under the auspices of the Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa from August 29-30, 2019. It is convened by African Tourism Partners with the support of its key strategic partners including BDO South Africa, NEPAD, Africa Travel Associations (ATA) and Voyages Afriq.
According to Mr. Sihle Zikalala, Provincial Minister for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in the KwaZulu-Natal, gatherings like ATLF allow thought leaders in Africa to bring into the limelight exceptional industry developments and inspiring stakeholders who work hard to build a sustainable African travel and tourism industry.
“As the proud host of ATLF 2019, we look forward to welcoming all stakeholders from across the continent and the rest of the world, not only this innovative event but, also to experience what South Africa and our beautiful Province offer the world. ATLF is an African Project that we must all be part of and support,” says Mr. Zikalala.
The 2018 ATLF and Award edition was held in Accra in Ghana. It was hosted by the Government of Ghana through Ghana Tourism Authority and its parent Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. This was attended by Tourism Ministers as well as over 500 public and private sector executives. These included representatives of UNWTO, NEPAD, Diplomatic Corps, Directors-General, global hotel brands, travel management companies, associations, regional executives of airlines, tour operators, educational institutions, researchers and many other industry professionals.
Kwakye Donkor, Africa Tourism Partners’ (ATP) CEO congratulates KwaZulu-Natal Province for winning the bid to host the 2019 ATLF and Awards. “The Provincial Leadership has truly exemplified true values of thought leadership by aiming to bring together industry leaders in Africa to Durban, to once again advance their commitment to promote intra-Africa travel, dialogue and recognize change-makers in Africa’s tourism development as a collective,” says Donkor.
Among the key focus areas of dialogue during the 2019 ATLF and Awards are:
The Africa Tourism Leadership Awards recognizes the best African travel and tourism industry change-makers and innovators. For strategic partnerships, attendance or more information, please contact Ms. Nozipho Dlamini at: [email protected] and +27 81303 7030.
The first Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa was held in Santa Maria, Sal Island in Cabo Verde, from the March 27 to 29, 2019.
The aim of the conference was to find a balance in maximizing the overall benefits of tourism and air transport in the national economy and to identify the best national aviation institutional frameworks and practices that facilitate and promote tourism.
The conference was attended by various high government officials on behalf of the participating countries and saw the presence of the African Union Commissioner responsible for aviation.
Several technical specialists’ representatives from the aviation and tourism sectors and experts from international and regional organisations were also present.
Seychelles was represented by a delegation from the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine and the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority led by Minister Didier Dogley and included Principal Secretary for Tourism Mrs. Anne Lafortune and Principal Secretary for Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Alan Renaud.
Principal Secretary for Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Alan Renaud represented Seychelles as a panelist during the first technical session on air transport and tourism policies on March 27, 2019.
During his intervention, PS. Renaud presented the country’s experience in relation to the topic and focused on the positive impacts that the liberation of the local air space has had on the tourism arrival figures.
He also pointed out the benefits of a free and visa upon arrival system as one having greatly facilitated the experience of travelers arriving in Seychelles.
Seychelles was also represented in Cabo Verde through Minister Didier Dogley, who sat on the ministerial panel on March 28, 2019.
Speaking during the session the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine reinforced the points made by Principal Secretary Renaud and further elaborated on the benefits of having in place a set of comprehensive and structured air access policies and a strong institutional framework. He commented on Seychelles as one of the few countries in Africa, where the aviation and tourism departments fall under the same ministry, which greatly enable and facilitate coordination between key authorities and staff.
Minister Dogley also highlighted the importance of direct air access for Small Island Developing states. He explained the dependency of small island nations as Seychelles on an adequate network of airlines serving the country due to their isolation from their tourism markets and trade partners.
In regards to a single African air transport market, he reminded the audience of the need for those responsible for developing regional agreements to take into consideration the special needs of SIDS.
On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Dogley also held talks with the President of the ICAO council, Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, Secretary General of UNWTO, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili and other African aviation and tourism ministers attending the meeting.