Kenya has been selected to host the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge for the years 2025 to 2027.
The Pan-African event is dedicated to promoting and uplifting innovative entrepreneurs within the tourism sector across the African continent.
The development follows the successful hosting of the 2024 AYTIS held in Windhoek, which attracted over 500 delegates and 300 entrepreneurs.
The gathering was attended by senior government officials and industry leaders from across Africa, fostering collaboration and showcasing the continent's burgeoning tourism potential.
The Nairobi summit will be hosted by the Tourism Events Advisory and Management Services Africa (TEAMS Africa), a joint venture for travel industry professionals.
In a media release, Tourism Partners Håvar Bauck, TEAMS Africa, and Rejoice Chishamba say tourism has the potential to be a leading driver of economic growth and job creation in Africa for decades to come.
The goal is to showcase and uplift the innovators that are building tomorrow's travel industry and can transform tourism in Africa by empowering young entrepreneurs and embracing innovation.
They emphasized that it is crucial for African destinations to build a tourism narrative that goes beyond wildlife and beaches, highlighting the continent's rich cultural heritage, dynamic cities, and diverse experiences.
Bauck noted the need to reach beyond traditional tourism source markets and segments to attract a new generation of global travelers and position this continent as the world's fastest-growing tourism region.
Africa Tourism Partners, led by seasoned travel industry expert Kwakye Donkor, aims to expand the summit's impact and also aims to attract 800 participants in 2025, providing more opportunities for networking, learning, and collaboration.
AYTIS has previously been hosted by Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Ghana by their respective governments in partnership with UN Tourism and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.
The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge is an annual Pan-African event that seeks to empower young entrepreneurs by providing a platform for innovation, networking, and investment in the tourism sector.
The date of the summit will be announced before the end of the year.