(Posted 19th August 2026)
The countdown to the 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards 2026 has begun, with tourism leaders, policymakers, investors and industry innovators preparing to gather in Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa, from 02nd to 04th of September 2026.
Hosted by the Limpopo Tourism Agency and the Provincial Limpopo Government, and organised by Africa Tourism Partners, ATLF 2026 comes at an important time for African tourism.
The forum will focus on some of the continent’s most pressing opportunities, including intra-African travel and mobility, the African Continental Free Trade Area, sustainable hospitality investment, digital transformation and stronger cross-border partnerships.
What makes this year’s edition particularly relevant is its strong emphasis on turning conversations into practical business opportunities. Leaders from across Africa and beyond will explore how tourism can contribute more effectively to trade, investment, job creation and broader economic development.
For those unable to travel to Limpopo, the newly introduced ATLF 2026 Virtual Pass will provide access to key sessions, live discussions, insights from industry leaders and digital networking opportunities with stakeholders from more than 56 countries.
With exhibition spaces nearing capacity, the message to tourism businesses, destinations, investors, technology companies and travel professionals is clear: Africa’s tourism growth story is being shaped through collaboration, and there is still an opportunity to be part of the conversation.
Africa’s tourism future will not be built by destinations working alone. It will be built through stronger connections across borders, sectors and markets.
