A majorA major highlight for the summit is a hosted buyer programme, created by the Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism
The 5th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge is set to begin on May 31 and run through June 2 in Swakopmund. According to a press statement, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism of Namibia will once again serve as the event’s host.
The statement says that this year’s summit, held annually in association with the UNWTO and BDO, will feature a desktop exhibition, a masterclass on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using digital and social media and entrepreneurship, as well as trade offerings from tour operators, lodging facilities for tourists, transport service providers, educational institutions, start-ups and incubators for travel and marketing technology, employment agencies, and more. The objective is to give African youth, start-ups, business owners, students, and small businesses a revolutionary platform for generating income and developing their careers.
It adds that another major highlight for the summit is the hosted buyer programme, created by the Ministry of Environment Forestry and Tourism and will run concurrently with the summit. Hosted buyers will have access to informal networking events, including the Investment Business in Tourism networking meetings organised by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and business-to-business sessions. The platform will provide an opportunity for buyers from across the globe to network with industry’s key decision makers and stakeholders on an exciting and informative platform as well as all the continents’ leisure tourism options and negotiate the best deals on products and services under one roof. Meetings with exhibitors will be facilitated by a matchmaking system. The purpose of the hosted buyer program is to market Namibia to the world.
The statement adds that the faculty for this year’s summit includes Elcia Grandcourt – Director, Africa Department, UNWTO – Spain, Pohamba Shifeta – MP Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia, Dr. Linda Pereira are some of the key industry professionals who will attend the event.
