ILTM Africa Sells Out Early, LATAM Expands to Africa, and More

Welcome to the MICE Africa daily read for MICE Professionals doing business in Africa.

In today’s topics;

1. ILTM Africa 2025 sells out early, signaling rising demand for African luxury travel
2. LATAM expands flight access from Brazil to African hubs
3. Kempinski Hotel in Accra debuts ASANA, a new Asian fusion restaurant and bar
4. Summit in Lusaka calls for bold innovation in tourism education

Luxury Travel to Africa Explodes: ILTM 2025 Sells Out

ILTM Africa 2025 has sold out months ahead of its return to Cape Town, underscoring the rising global demand for luxury travel experiences across the continent. Scheduled for April 6–8 at the Norval Foundation, the event is a flagship of Africa Travel Week and a key date for high-end travel professionals worldwide.

This early sellout speaks to the shifting view of Africa as a go-to destination for travelers seeking authenticity and exclusivity. From tailored arrivals on vintage motorbikes to private art exhibitions and curated fine dining, the event is designed to reflect the richness of African hospitality. It’s not just about showcasing luxury—it’s also about building meaningful connections and promoting sustainable travel rooted in local culture and purpose.

A standout feature of the 2025 edition is “Art for Conservation,” a fundraising collaboration in support of the Endangered Wildlife Trust. Proceeds will go toward protecting African wild dogs, signaling the event’s deeper commitment to conservation. As Africa moves confidently into the spotlight of the global luxury market, ILTM Africa is not just a meeting—it’s a statement.

Accra’s Kempinski Hotel Debuts Asian Fusion Restaurant & Bar

Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra is set to enrich the city’s culinary scene with the launch of ASANA Bar and Kitchen in April 2025. Located in the hotel’s lobby, ASANA offers a refined fusion of Asian-inspired flavors and local Ghanaian ingredients, designed to deliver an indulgent dining experience throughout the day.

ASANA is more than a restaurant. It’s a signature bar with luxurious interiors and flexible indoor and outdoor seating to suit any occasion. Guests can expect expertly crafted cocktails from skilled mixologists, a curated wine and spirits collection, and an à la carte menu shaped by the bold creativity of Chef Shara Tumaob. The setting is elegant – crystal chandeliers, polished marble, and thoughtful design echoing the hotel’s renowned sophistication.

For the MICE community, ASANA opens a fresh chapter in Accra’s event hospitality. Its unique blend of cuisine and atmosphere creates a memorable venue for gatherings, private functions, or post-meeting dinners. As the hotel approaches its 10th anniversary, this new addition signals not just celebration, but continued innovation and a deep commitment to enhancing guest experience.

LATAM & Airlink: More Flights to Africa! New Routes from Brazil

LATAM Airlines Brazil and Airlink have strengthened their partnership, introducing smoother connections between Brazil and Africa — a win for event planners managing international attendees. The new agreement now links Brazilian travelers directly to Harare, Maputo, Windhoek, and Dar es Salaam through a single ticket, reducing travel complications and baggage handling stress. This forms part of an expanded codeshare strategy that pushes Africa further into reach with minimal hassle for MICE planners.

With 35 flights weekly to Harare, 25 to Windhoek, three daily to Maputo, and daily services to Dar es Salaam — including extra departures on Thursdays — the options are flexible and frequent. Flights are operated with Embraer 190 and 195 aircraft, ensuring comfort and reliability for up to 107 passengers per trip. These new routes build on the direct São Paulo–Johannesburg service, already a key transit point for Brazil-Africa travel, which moved over 80,000 passengers in 2024 and is expected to cross 100,000 in 2025.

This development reflects LATAM’s larger growth ambitions, underlined by a 13% fleet increase in two years and 25 new aircraft. For planners bringing clients, speakers, or exhibitors from Brazil to African destinations, the new options simplify logistics and reduce transit friction. With expanded air access, Africa becomes not only more inviting — but more practical — for global business events and conferences.

Revamping Tourism Education in Africa: Lusaka Summit Calls for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

At the 3rd Travel, Hospitality & Tourism Education Summit in Lusaka, industry experts and academics agreed on one urgent reality — tourism education in Africa must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing sector. Highlighting the widening gap between current curricula and market needs, the summit called for a shift towards a more practical, innovative, and entrepreneurial approach to learning.

A focal point of the discussion was the need for stronger partnerships between institutions and businesses driving change in travel and tourism. Zambia’s competency-based model — with 70% of its content focused on practical skills — was showcased as a step in the right direction. However, beyond technical know-how, the summit emphasized embedding entrepreneurial thinking early, encouraging students to develop real-world ventures and engage in intrapreneurship within organizations.

Looking ahead, the summit launched several key initiatives: national and regional tourism competitions set for May, designed to spark fresh ideas and solutions; refresher courses throughout June for educators and professionals to strengthen their skills; and an expanded commitment from universities to support student-led entrepreneurship. The message was clear — for Africa’s tourism sector to thrive, its education systems must foster both capability and creativity.

That’s it for today.