Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, is once again at the center of tourism discussions as it hosts the 7th edition of the Africa Tourism Leaders Forum (ATLF) and Awards. The forum, which officially commenced on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the Gaborone International Convention Centre, marks a significant milestone in the continent’s ongoing efforts to enhance intra-African travel and tourism.
Organized by African Tourism Partners with the support of Botswana Tourism, the event runs through September 6, 2024. It has attracted over 500 participants from 43 countries, including tourism practitioners, government officials, and media representatives. This year’s forum is themed “Charting a New Path Forward for Intra-Africa Travel, Tourism, and Investment,” with a focus on reducing travel restrictions across Africa to stimulate business growth and facilitate the seamless movement of people.
The ATLF serves as a crucial platform for key stakeholders in the tourism sector to share insights, network, and foster new collaborations. The event aims to address challenges and opportunities in the tourism industry while promoting Africa as a unified destination for travelers.
In his opening remarks, Vice President of Botswana, H.E. Slumber Tsogwane, underscored the importance of the ATLF in positioning tourism as a vital economic pillar for African economies. He stated, “The Africa Tourism Leadership Forum is a Pan-African dialogue platform that unites key stakeholders from Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors to network, share insights, and devise strategies for growing intra-Africa travel and tourism while enhancing the brand equity of our ‘Destination Africa.’”
Vice President Tsogwane also emphasized Botswana’s strategic initiatives to establish itself as a premier destination for hosting Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) as part of its broader economic diversification strategy. He noted that tourism is a major contributor to Botswana’s national economy and highlighted its potential for further growth.
