Welcome to the MICE Africa daily read for MICE Professionals doing business in Africa.
In today’s topics;
- Entries open for the 2025 World Sustainable Travel Awards
- ATM 2025 targets food waste as a strategic concern
- Serengeti balloon safaris reveal nature’s theater from above
Enter the 2025 World Sustainable Travel Awards: Sustainability in Tourism Celebrated
Entries are now open for the 2025 World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, with a clear call to Africa’s MICE professionals to step forward.
This global recognition platform honours those who push sustainability beyond slogans and into meaningful action. The awards span 30 categories aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting vital themes like People, Planet, Prosperity, Place, and Partnerships. Nine new categories have been added this year, with a fresh focus on peace, food security, and support for indigenous communities.
The entry process is simple and free, and the deadline for submissions is June 30th. Initial judging will be conducted by students from the Nova School of Business and Economics in Lisbon, with final oversight by an expert advisory board. Travel professionals will get their chance to vote between July 14th and August 30th.
Winners will be honoured at an in-person ceremony on October 29th, 2025, at Terra in Expo City Dubai — a venue symbolic of global sustainability efforts. Backed by the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, this platform connects over 66,000 hotels and 8 million rooms worldwide. It’s time for Africa’s MICE industry to claim its seat at this global table. Entry details can be found at https://sustainabletravelhospitalityawards.com.
Cut Food Waste, Boost Profits: Tourism’s Circular Economy Solution
At the recent Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 session, industry voices came together to address an issue that’s been quietly chipping away at profits and sustainability in tourism—food waste. Titled “What a Waste! How to Better Manage Food Waste in Tourism,” the session spotlighted how waste is no longer just a kitchen concern but a strategic one for hospitality leaders.
The UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024 revealed that food services contributed 28% to the world’s 1.05 billion tonnes of wasted food in 2022. That’s more than just scraps—it’s lost revenue and a mounting environmental cost. Enas Sobhy Ali from Tadweer noted the disconnect between daily hotel operations and their broader environmental footprint, urging hoteliers to begin with tangible steps like regular waste audits and reinforced recycling systems.
Discussion also centered on how embracing circular economy practices and energy-efficient technologies can bring measurable cost savings and lower carbon outputs. As guest expectations around sustainability rise, the pressure to align daily hotel practices with long-term environmental goals is becoming a business imperative.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, reminded attendees that solving issues like food waste requires cross-industry cooperation and practical innovation. ATM 2025 reaffirmed its role as a platform not just for dialogue but for actionable insight, arming tourism businesses with the tools to transition from waste-heavy operations to more responsible, profitable models.
Serengeti Balloon Safari: Witness the Great Migration from Above
A hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti offers a rare and intimate view of Africa’s wild heart.
As the sun rises over Tanzania’s vast plains, travelers lift off into the skies to witness the Great Migration from a serene yet commanding perspective. From up to 1000 feet in the air, more than 1.5 million wildebeest and zebras can be seen moving across the land, joined by elephants and the occasional prowling predator lurking in the tall grass.
Veteran pilot Joseph Mkwawa says that seeing the Serengeti from above shifts how people understand Africa — not just as tourists, but as participants in a living, breathing ecosystem. Wildlife photographer Maria Constas points to the subtle details visible only from the air: termite mounds scattered like constellations, slow-moving rivers drawing lines across the golden earth.
Flights often end with a champagne breakfast on the plains, complete with linen tablecloths and warm meals. The optimal season to fly is between June and October, though February brings the drama of calving season. Costing around $500–$600 per person, advanced reservations are highly recommended.
That’s it for today.