WTM Africa 2025 will see mini-conferences on key themes
WTM Africa, one of the largest travel and tourism trade fairs in Africa, has announced a dynamic, new content format for its upcoming event in just over a week.
In a press statement, the organisers say that the reimagined programme introduces a series of theme-based mini-conferences designed to tackle the tourism industry’s most pressing challenges when leaders gather at Cape Town in South Africa from April 9-11.
The statement adds that the new approach is unique because most tourism conferences still rely on disconnected panel discussions, making it difficult for attendees to piece together a full picture of key industry challenges and solutions.
Megan De Jager
By structuring content into cohesive learning journeys, WTM Africa 2025 ensures that delegates can explore a topic in depth, follow a clear narrative, and gain actionable insights rather than just hearing fragmented viewpoints. This model mirrors the way professionals actually learn, through context, continuity, and engagement – rather than isolated soundbites, adds the statement.
“African tourism faces complex challenges that can’t be addressed in isolated conversations. By clustering related sessions, we’re creating spaces where solutions can emerge,” says Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director at RX Africa.
“This restructured approach will give tourism professionals the context they need to truly understand complex challenges. Tourism has the power to drive economic transformation, and these focused discussions will certainly help inform the future of the industry. Tourism is about job creation, infrastructure, and economic transformation. Cape Town is proud to provide the stage for discussions that will shape Africa’s future in global travel,” says Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor, Cape Town.
Geordin Hill-Lewis
The statement adds that WTM Africa 2025 will feature more than 100 experts participating in the content programme. The event spans three stages plus an interactive Brain Box for hands-on workshops and the innovative Super Reality Dome for selected sessions.
The flagship Africa Tourism Investment Conference on April 10 anchors the event’s economic development focus, bringing financial institutions, developers and government officials together for a full day of structured dialogue. JLL Africa CEO Wayne Godwin will moderate discussions examining what investors seek from African tourism projects, with participation from Nedbank’s Warrick Haskell, the IDC’s Ken Ogwang, and safari industry leaders, add the organisers.
“Growing African tourism requires targeted capital, this summit directly connects projects with potential funders. We expect real business conversations to happen here,” adds De Jager.
The statement goes on to mention that a dedicated ‘Aviation Focus’ on April 10 confronts the continent’s persistent connectivity challenges, with AASA CEO Aaron Munetsi and FlySafair’s Kirby Gordon tackling pricing barriers and visa restrictions.
The ‘Media & Narrative’ mini conference on April 9 examines how perception shapes destination success, featuring a frank panel discussion titled Can African Destinations Thrive When Headlines = Headwinds? with Wesgro’s Monika Iuel and international journalist Omololu Olumuyiwa, followed by the Africa Travel Week Media Awards where the best African journalists will be recognised.
The organisers say that ‘Responsible Tourism’ programming spans over two half days under the guidance of global expert Harold Goodwin, culminating in the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards on April 10. Sessions address climate adaptation, greenwashing prevention, and nature-positive tourism models with Grootbos founder Michael Lutzeyer.
The ‘Inclusivity & Diversity’ theme features TEDx speaker Ruth Rathblott’s keynote on Unhide & Seek: Building Inclusion and Belonging in Travel, alongside practical workshops on creating sensory-friendly African experiences and capitalising on diversity markets.
The statement adds that the ‘State of the Industry’ panel on April 11 will be moderated by global travel intelligence leader Skift, whose Director of Insights Michelle Gounden will lead a data-driven discussion on African tourism’s current position and future trajectory. The session will leverage comprehensive research from Euromonitor International, whose analyst Christy Tawii will present key findings on market trends, consumer behaviour and growth projections that will shape destination strategies in the coming years.
In another mini-conference, ‘Wine Tourism’ emerges as a dedicated track on April 11, examining the sector’s evolution and business potential with experts including Creation Wines’ Carolyn Martin and Weltevrede’s Steyn Fullard, complemented by tastings in a special Wine Activation area.
The organisers add that Southern Sun Hotels returns as the official hospitality partner for WTM Africa’s Hosted Buyer Programme, sponsoring the exclusive welcome evening and networking events designed to connect international buyers with key industry stakeholders.
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