Botswana: Botswana is hosting the 7th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards at the Gaborone International Convention Center. The event will be hosted over the course of three days starting from September 3, 2024 to September 6 2024.
The aim of the event was to bring the members of the tourism industry and leadership of the continent together. The Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) is being hosted under the theme “Charting a new Path Forward for Intra Africa Travel, Tourism and Investment.
Several stakeholders of the tourism sector of the continent to share their expertise on various aspects of the industry.
Botswana Tourism Organisation CEO, Keitumetse Setlang, gave a welcome message to the Forum delegates during the Business to Business segment
“We meet today because we know it’s important for African countries to pull together and work together,” says Setlang. Speaking on the importance of traveling within Africa, she emphasised the need to create compelling reasons for Africans to explore the continent and to make it easier for them to do so.
Bringing it back to Botswana, Setlang proudly highlights the country’s abundant resources that have contributed to our progress and livelihoods. “We will ensure that every resource we have empowers our people,” she affirms with confidence.
The Director, Trade in Services, Investment, IPR and Digital Trade – AfCFTA Secretariat, Emily Mburu-Ndoria was present at the event during the event. She delivered an address at the Business-to-Business (B2B) segment of the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) forum.
She discussed the crucial role the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement plays in guiding the region towards unprecedented economic integration. She also and shared prosperity and how it connects to intra-African tourism.
Lily Rakorong, the CEO of the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) was also one of the speakers during the first day. She took the podium to share a key message during the Business-to-Business (B2B) segment.
She took the opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities within the industry. Rakorong highlighted a key factor for success, emphasising the importance of creating a conducive business environment.
“The ease of doing business is what will make this sector thrive,” says Rakorong.