(Posted 24th January 2025)
Africa Tourism Partners, alongside its host partner, TEAMS Africa, is excited to announce the launch of the 7th Africa Youth in Tourism Summit (AYTIS) 2025
(www.youthtourismsummit.com) on January 29, 2025, at the SNDBX offices in Nairobi.
This event will unveil the dynamic plans for AYTIS 2025, set to inspire and empower the next generation of tourism leaders from June 10 to June 13, 2025, also in Nairobi. Please click here to register to attend hybrid launch.
Africa Tourism Partners, as the organizer of the Summit, has played a pivotal role in facilitating economic growth and cooperation within the continent's tourism sector. Their successful hosting of previous summits in Namibia (2022-2024), Ghana (2021), Rwanda (2020), and South Africa (2019) demonstrates their commitment to strengthening collaborations and advancing the industry across Africa.
The hybrid event will showcase key messages from prominent leaders in the tourism industry, including Kwakye Donkor, CEO of Africa Tourism Partners and Convener of the Summit; June Chepkemei, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board; Elcia Grandcourt, Director for Africa at the UN World Tourism Organization; and Emily Mburu-Ndoria, Director of Trade Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights, and Digital Trade at the AfCFTA Secretariat. They will be joined by AYTIS 2025 host, TEAMS Africa:
Joram Mwinamo, founder of SNDBX—a hub for business growth and innovation; Barry
Clemens, CEO of Hospitality EQ; and Håvar Bauck, founder of HotelOnline.
Since its inception in 2019, AYTIS has emerged as a premier Pan-African platform that fosters youth- led innovation and entrepreneurship in the tourism sector. A highlight of the upcoming 2025 summit is the annual Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge, with registration open until February 28, 2025. This is a golden opportunity for young African entrepreneurs to showcase their groundbreaking ideas that elevate technology, promote sustainability, and encourage community engagement in
tourism.
Convened by Africa Tourism Partners in partnership with UN Tourism and BDO, hosted by TEAMS Africa, and supported by the AfCFTA Secretariat, AYTIS 2025 highlights the significance of sustainable tourism development across Africa. During the press conference on January 29, attendees will hear from key partners who will share the summit's objectives, explore the potential impact of the Innovation Challenge, and emphasize how collaboration is essential to achieving AYTIS's vision and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). AYTIS 2025 aims to contribute to SDGs 5, 8, 9, and 10 by empowering youth and women, driving innovation, and fostering sustainable development within Africa’s tourism sector.
For more information, please contact:
Rejoice Chishamba
Mobile: +27 83 630 4063
Email: rejoice@africatourismpartners.com
LAUNCH OF THE AFRICA YOUTH IN TOURISM INNOVATION SUMMIT & CHALLENGE 2025 – HYBRID
• Date: Wednesday, 29 January 2025
• Venue: CMS Africa House, Chania Avenue, Kilimani, Ground Floor (SNDBX)
• Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Nairobi – East African Time)
TIME ACTIVITY
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM • Registration
9:20 AM – 9:25 AM • Acknowledgement of dignitaries- Master of Ceremony – Håvar Bauck – TEAMS Africa / HotelOnline
9:25 AM – 9:30 AM • Opening remarks – Kwakye Donkor – CEO, Africa Tourism Partners and Convener, South Africa
9:30 AM – 9:35 AM • Overview of the Africa Youth Tourism Innovation Challenge – Barry Clemens, CEO, Hospitalityeq, Kenya
9:35 AM – 9:40 AM • Message from the Co-Chairperson Africa Tourism Innovation Hub (ATIH) – Prof. Michael Twum-Darko –
Innovation Hub Project Lead & Acting HOD, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa.
9:45 AM – 09:50 AM • Message from Kenya Tourism Board – June Chepkemei – CEO, Kenya Tourism Board
09:50 AM – 10:00 AM • Message from AfCFTA – Emily Mburu-Ndoria – Director Directorate of Trade in Services, Investment,
Intellectual Property Rights & Digital Trade (DTIID), AfCFTA Secretariat
10:00 AM – 10:05 AM • Partner Remarks
10:05 AM – 10:10 AM • Message from UN Tourism – Elcia Grandcourt – Director, Africa Department
10:10 AM – 10:20 AM • Official Launch & Keynote from the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Kenya.
10:20 AM – 10:30 AM • Testimonials from AYTIS winners – Gloria Kisilu (Kenya)
Joseph Owiredu (Ghana)
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM • Q&A Session – Master of Ceremony – Håvar Bauck – TEAMS Africa / HotelOnline
10:50 AM – 11:00 AM • Closing Remarks, Networking, one on one interviews & Refreshments – Joram Mwinamo – TEAMS Africa,
Founder and CEO, SNDBX
Contact Information: Rejoice Chishamba: rejoice@africatourismpartners.com +27 81 303 7030
