This year’s edition will not only spotlight bold strategies for advancing African tourism, but also honour 100 exceptional women from Africa and the Diaspora with the prestigious Africa Travel Women Awards 2024/2025, a celebration of female excellence and leadership in tourism across the continent.
Hosted by Atqnews in collaboration with the Akwaaba African Travel Market, the annual event continues to serve as one of the largest and most influential tourism expos in Africa, attracting industry leaders, government officials, investors, and travel enthusiasts.
Commenting ahead of the event, Atqnews publisher and event founder, Ambassador Ikechi Uko, emphasised the need for a paradigm shift in Africa's tourism model.
“With a population of 1.4 billion across 54 countries, Africa attracts fewer than 100 million tourists annually. If each country could generate 10% to 20% of its population as domestic tourists and share about 5% as intra-African tourists, we would see a thriving tourism industry across the continent,” he said.
Mr. Uko acknowledged that post-COVID resurgence of domestic tourism is a game-changer, citing Kenya's Tembea Kenya, South Africa’s Shot’Left, and Nigeria’s Naija7Wonders and Naija Explorers as successful models proving that tourism growth does not have to depend solely on international arrivals.
“Africa has woken up to the opportunities offered by domestic tourism. Most countries are now investing in growing this base,” he noted.
This year’s African Tourism Confab, held during the expo, will offer a platform for countries to share experiences, profile strategies, and dissect what’s working in tourism development. One of the key sessions, "How Africa Can Grow Its Tourism," will feature five panellists, including Dr. Adama Bah from The Gambia, a prominent tourism expert.
Another major session will explore the emerging role of women as tourism leaders in Africa, with seven distinguished speakers, including Hon. Sheikh Tijan Nyang, head of the Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG), among the panelists.
These discussions aim to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and policy alignment toward a more connected, inclusive, and sustainable African tourism market.
Moreover, this highly anticipated Africa Travel 100 Women Awards will headline the 2025 edition, recognising women who have made significant contributions to the growth and visibility of Africa’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
Honourees are drawn from across the continent and the African Diaspora, representing various facets of the industry, from policy and promotion to entrepreneurship and innovation.
In essence, the awards seek not only to celebrate these women, but to inspire a new generation of female leaders who will shape Africa’s tourism future.
About Akwaaba African Travel Market
Launched over two decades ago, Akwaaba has grown into one of Africa’s most important travel expos, consistently providing a platform for networking, marketing, and dialogue across the continent’s tourism value chain. It is known for combining trade exhibitions with high-level conferences, cultural showcases, and thought leadership sessions that influence real policy and investment shifts.
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