Welcome to the MICE Africa daily read for MICE Professionals doing business in Africa.
In today’s topics;
- ATPSA teams up with Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit
- South Africa’s Minister unveils bold goals at Travel Indaba 2025
- African nations push unity and open borders for tourism growth
Africa Youth Tourism Summit: ATPSA Drives Innovation & Growth
The Africa Tourism Private Sector Alliance (ATPSA), in partnership with the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit, is gearing up for the 7th edition of the annual summit from June 24–27, 2025, in Midrand, Johannesburg. The event will gather ambitious young professionals, innovators, and tourism leaders for a programme centred on dialogue, development, and future-focused collaboration.
With support from South African Tourism and a network of partners including UNWTO, BDO, Millat Group, and the Africa Tourism Innovation Hub, the summit places a strong focus on youth empowerment and entrepreneurial growth. The aim is to deepen private sector engagement, spark investment, and elevate young trailblazers in the tourism space.
The line-up includes B2B networking, exhibitions, and entrepreneurship masterclasses, providing a perfect setting for ATPSA members and other industry players to meet youth-led businesses and potential investors. Key themes will explore community engagement, intellectual property protection, capital access, and the role of AI within tourism and hospitality.
This summit is not just an event but a step toward shaping a more inclusive tourism economy across the continent. Registration is now open at the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit website.
ATPSA Empowers Next-Gen Tourism Leaders at Africa Youth Summit
The Africa Tourism Private Sector Alliance (ATPSA) has announced a partnership with the 7th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit, scheduled for June 24–27, 2025 in Midrand, Johannesburg. The collaboration is designed to empower young tourism professionals, spark innovation, and deepen entrepreneurship within Africa’s growing tourism and MICE sectors.
With backing from South African Tourism and an impressive roster of partners including the UNWTO, BDO, and various private and media organizations from across the continent, the summit reflects a united regional effort to shape the next wave of industry leaders. ATPSA Chairperson Suzan M. Ongalo emphasized the importance of this initiative in creating a more inclusive and visionary tourism future for Africa.
The summit will include B2B networking sessions, exhibitions of emerging tourism trends, and skill-building masterclasses focused on entrepreneurship. Delegates can expect real-time engagement with youth-led enterprises, potential investors, and policymakers, providing a rare space for actionable collaboration and learning.
Key topics will tackle current industry challenges such as community engagement, access to finance, intellectual property, and the rising role of AI in tourism. For professionals in Africa’s meetings and events space, this event is more than a calendar entry — it’s a moment to align with the next phase of the continent’s tourism story.
Africa Opens for Tourism: Travel Indaba 2025 Promises Growth
Travel Indaba 2025 in Durban sent a clear and compelling message — Africa is open, ready, and standing together. With the theme “Unlimited Africa,” the event drew over 1,300 exhibitors from 27 nations and welcomed 1,200 buyers from 55 countries, creating a vibrant showcase of what the continent has to offer.
A standout moment came during the African Ministers’ Roundtable, where tourism leaders moved past regional rivalry and embraced continental collaboration. Ministers from South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Zambia emphasized shared goals like easing visa restrictions and enhancing air connectivity to make cross-border travel smoother for both tourists and investors.
South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, laid out bold targets — increasing annual international arrivals by one million and generating 2.5 million tourism jobs by 2030. A fresh global brand campaign, “South Africa awaits – Come Find Your Joy,” was launched to reintroduce the country to the world under a more inviting and energetic spotlight.
More than a trade fair, Travel Indaba 2025 set the tone for a unified tourism vision. With education sessions, cultural immersion, and crucial networking, it underlined one powerful idea: Africa isn’t waiting for permission to grow. It’s already moving, together.
That’s it for today.