Welcome to the MICE Africa daily read for MICE Professionals doing business in Africa.
In today’s topics;
- ECOWAS launches a tourism training workshop in The Gambia.
- Ikogosi Warm Springs hosts the 2025 Executive Women’s Leadership Retreat.
- Luxury travel evolves with ultra-exclusive group experiences.
ECOWAS Boosts Gambia Tourism: New Training Workshop for Regional Growth
ECOWAS has taken a major step to strengthen regional tourism with a week-long training workshop in The Gambia.
Held at Bakadaji Hotel in Kololi from March 17th to 21st, 2025, the workshop brought together ECOWAS, ITTOG, and ICRT West Africa to enhance collaboration and reinforce the ECOTOUR 19-29 policy. Participants included tourism officials, industry stakeholders, and representatives from the ECOWAS National Office in The Gambia.
Dr. Tony Elumelu, representing the ECOWAS Commission President, stressed the need for policy reforms, strategic capacity building, and stronger member-state partnerships. He praised The Gambia’s contributions to the sector and highlighted ECOWAS’ efforts in legal frameworks and tourism classification measures. The initiative reflects a broader commitment to sustainable tourism and regional mobility, ensuring that ECOWAS tourism policies serve as guiding tools for economic and cultural integration.
Ikogosi Springs: Executive Women’s Leadership Retreat, 2025
Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort will host the 2025 Executive Women’s Leadership Retreat from March 29th to 31st.
Organized by Glocient Hospitality, this retreat is designed for women leaders seeking professional growth, personal well-being, and meaningful connections. The theme, “Accelerate Action,” will guide keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive workshops focused on leadership, work-life balance, and long-term success. Esteemed speakers from diverse industries will lead the conversations, providing insights that empower participants to lead with confidence and resilience.
Beyond the sessions, the resort’s natural beauty and therapeutic springs offer a perfect space for reflection and renewal. With the retreat happening over a long holiday weekend, attendees are encouraged to extend their stay for rest and relaxation. To register, please email sales_ikogosi@glocient.com.
Luxury Group Travel: Redefining Exclusive Experiences
Luxury group travel is redefining exclusivity, offering ultra-high-net-worth travelers a curated experience beyond traditional independent journeys. While bespoke FIT trips remain dominant, a rising trend among affluent travelers seeks meaningful connections through meticulously planned small group adventures. Deborah Calmeyer, CEO of ROAR Africa, has successfully pioneered this niche with themed trips like The Greatest Safari on Earth, a 12-day journey across Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya, and Rwanda aboard Emirates’ executive private jet. These experiences balance luxury with the human connection wealthy travelers often crave.
Unlike mass-market tours, ultra-luxury group travel prioritizes a carefully vetted guest list, ensuring an ideal social dynamic. Calmeyer underscores the importance of optimal group size, typically 10 to 12 people, allowing for seamless interactions. Personalization remains a key element—each guest enjoys tailored itineraries, private safari vehicles, and flexible schedules catering to individual interests. This approach creates an environment where high-net-worth travelers can engage with peers while maintaining autonomy.
Another crucial appeal of luxury group travel lies in its logistical ease. With increasingly complex global travel, high-end travelers appreciate the liberation from painstaking planning. ROAR Africa ensures every aspect, from transfers to border crossings, is meticulously handled, eliminating stress. A skilled host is essential, managing group dynamics and orchestrating seamless experiences. As travel demands evolve, luxury group adventures offer the perfect blend of exclusivity, connection, and effortless exploration—proving that sometimes, the most meaningful journeys are those taken together.
Luxury Travel Giant Emerald Acquires This is Beyond: Expanding Global Events
Emerald Holding, Inc. has officially acquired This is Beyond, a London-based company specializing in high-end travel events.
This move expands Emerald’s presence in the $1.3 trillion luxury travel market, strengthening its position in premium event experiences. The acquisition, set to finalize in the second quarter, aligns with Emerald’s strategy of tapping into high-growth industries.
This is Beyond, founded in 2009, is known for curating exclusive events like PURE Life Experiences (Marrakech), We Are Africa (Cape Town), and L.E Miami. These events connect luxury travel designers, global tour operators, and corporate travel leaders with a focus on premium experiences and sustainability. With this acquisition, the entire team, including founder Serge Dive, joins Emerald to elevate event offerings and customer engagement.
That’s it for today.