The Ghana Insider

6th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge 

The 6th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge commenced in Windhoek, Namibia, setting an energetic tone and urging young people to engage in developing innovative solutions and boosting entrepreneurial activities.

Additionally, the summit has highlighted the pressing need to close the gap between youth and academia, promoting the practical use of knowledge beyond conventional classroom environments within the tourism industry.

Abeiku Santana – Managing Director of Kaya Tours Ltd

Key Highlights:

  • Call for Innovative Interventions
  • Entrepreneurial Ventures
  • Bridging the Gap between Youth and Academia
  • Partnership and Collaboration
  • Key Factors for Entrepreneurial Success
  • Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
  • Content Creation and Social Media Marketing

Africa Tourism Partners, in collaboration with the UN Tourism and BDO South Africa, hosts the annual Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge, an initiative focused on engaging young people in the tourism sector.

Since it began, the event has been hosted by different governments, including Ghana (Ghana Tourism Authority), Rwanda (Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Convention Bureau, Mastercard Foundation), and Namibia (Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism).

During the opening ceremony, Hon. Pohamba Penomwenyo Shifeta, MP, the Namibian Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, urged young people in Namibia and across Africa to get involved in the tourism sector, especially in technological innovation, and to support the Africa Continental Trade Initiative.

Hon. Andrew Egyapa Mercer, Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, was a panelist in the Ministerial and Policy Makers dialogue, which focused on promoting the voices of young women in travel, tourism, and technology entrepreneurship and leadership, addressing various challenges, opportunities, and solutions.

Mr. Akwasi Agyeman, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, participated in a panel discussion with Abeiku Aggrey Santana, Managing Director of Kaya Tours Ltd, on the topic “Taking the Next Step in the Entrepreneurship Journey through Creative Arts and Culture.”

Professor Kobby Mensah from the University of Ghana Business School led a session titled “Societal and Organizational Shifts: Key Drivers for Start-up Successes and Failures, Insights, and Advice.” Mr. Gideon Asare, Managing Director of Adansi Travels Ltd Ghana, addressed “Demystifying Start-up Funding as a Barrier to Innovation and Success.”

The three-day summit, concluding on May 31, 2024, has attracted over 250 in-person delegates and more than 1500 virtual participants from around the world. The attendees include ministers, tourism officials, policymakers, SMMEs, start-ups, students, entrepreneurs, and government officials from Africa and beyond.

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