Welcome to the MICE Africa daily read for MICE Professionals doing business in Africa.
In today’s topics;
- SAA boosts Johannesburg–Windhoek route with a new daily flight
- Africa-Americas Summit drives South-South cooperation in tourism
- Kilifair 2025 cements Arusha as a tourism hub
- WTM Africa 2025 awards spotlight sustainable travel pioneers
More Flights to Windhoek: SAA Adds Daily Johannesburg Route
South African Airways is strengthening its Johannesburg–Windhoek route with a new daily flight beginning May 1st. This brings the total to three flights per day, enhancing regional access and opening doors for more seamless event logistics in Namibia. For planners coordinating conferences or incentive travel, this scheduling boost offers more flexibility and smoother group movement between the two cities.
The new morning flight SA70 departs Johannesburg at 5:55 AM and lands in Windhoek at 7:50 AM, while the return flight SA71 leaves Windhoek at 2:30 PM and arrives in Johannesburg at 4:15 PM. These timings cater well to the rhythm of business events, allowing delegates to arrive on time and depart without stress. For planners managing multiple arrivals, this additional option spreads out travel demand and helps reduce wait times and logistic congestion.
With Namibia gaining attention as a strong MICE destination, additional air capacity signals growing opportunities for the region. The added frequency supports larger groups and offers more control over travel planning, which can lead to better event outcomes and improved guest experience. For anyone organizing events in Windhoek, this enhanced route should be factored into your travel strategy.
Africa & Americas Unite: Boosting Tourism Through South-South Cooperation
The second UN Tourism Africa & Americas Summit in Punta Cana has pushed the boundaries of regional collaboration, championing South-South cooperation as a practical path to reinvigorate the tourism sector. In a focused gathering, leaders from both continents explored shared solutions to common challenges through innovation, investment, security, and training. The summit emphasized the role of connectivity and mutual support in building a more resilient tourism landscape for both Africa and the Americas.
Recent tourism data underlines the recovery: Africa welcomed 74 million international visitors in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, while the Americas reached 213 million arrivals — nearing full recovery. Recognizing the financial potential between the two regions, the Punta Cana Declaration called for increased cross-continental investment. Between 2019 and 2024, each region invested approximately USD 3.9 million into the other, reflecting balanced commitment to development. In support of this momentum, a Biennial Africa-Americas Tourism Investment Conference will be launched to further catalyze growth.
Education and innovation remain central pillars in this strategy. With more than half the tourism workforce under 25, targeted training programs are expanding, including new centers in Zambia and partnerships for tourism diplomacy in the Dominican Republic. UNWTO’s “Bridges of Innovation” Start-Up Competition and the upcoming innovation hub in Morocco aim to empower regional entrepreneurs tackling sustainability and digital transformation. These initiatives are designed to keep the tourism sector agile, inclusive, and locally impact-driven.
Tanzania’s Kilifair 2025: A Growing Hub for East African Tourism
Karibu Kilifair 2025 is slated for June 6–8 in Arusha, Tanzania, and it’s shaping up to be a key moment for East African tourism. Positioned as a dedicated B2B platform, the event connects regional travel companies with international buyers, tourism authorities, and media from across the world. With Arusha as a central gateway, the fair strengthens its role in fueling both investment and cross-border cooperation across the tourism landscape.
This coming edition plans to welcome over 500 exhibitors from more than 15 countries and 700 qualified international buyers. The expanded venue, now covering more than 40,000 square meters, reflects the growing scale and ambition of the event. Alongside the exhibition floor, KKF 2025 offers a curated meeting calendar, cultural showcases, and forums that dive into relevant topics like technology in tourism, integrated regional promotion, and product innovation.
Organized with support from government entities and the private sector, Kilifair continues to offer value where it counts: real meetings, real networks, and real results. If your business plays a role in the tourism value chain, or you qualify as an international buyer, registration is essential to benefit from this platform. Registration details can be found at https://www.kilifair.com/exhibitors-registration/.
WTM Africa 2025 Responsible Tourism Awards: Celebrating Sustainable Travel in Africa
WTM Africa’s 2025 Responsible Tourism Awards brought together pioneers of sustainable travel from across the continent, honoring their impact and commitment to responsible practices. Held on April 10th, the ceremony recognized 20 businesses from nine African countries, a clear testament to the growing momentum behind tourism that respects people, planet, and place.
Gold Awards were given to standout ventures setting benchmarks in their categories. Emboo Safari Camp in Kenya led on Nature Positive efforts, while !Khwa ttu in South Africa was honored for Shared Value. Other top mentions include Dlala Nje for immersive inner-city experiences, Green Safaris of Zambia in Climate Change, and HBD Príncipe for waste management breakthroughs. Township and Village, Foxes Safari Camps, and The Heart of Cape Town were also celebrated for their community-driven and inclusive approaches.
Silver Award winners and “Ones to Watch” such as Volcanoes Safaris, Kijani Supplies, and Hideaways Africa reflected a promising pipeline of future changemakers. The awards process was rigorous, with judges highlighting deep impact over popularity. The ceremony ended with locally crafted trophies and a wine-and-chocolate pairing—small symbols of larger efforts toward a more responsible tourism future for Africa. Gold winners now advance to the global stage at WTM London, carrying Africa’s responsible tourism stories with them.
That’s it for today.