THEME:
Redefining the growth trajectory of intra-Africa travel and tourism through thought leadership.
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM INVESTMENT ROUNDTABLE | MASTERCLASSES & B2B SESSIONS | BUSINESS NETWORKING COCKTAIL WEDNESDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 2026 PROGRAMME DIRECTOR: NALEDI MOLEO – News Anchor, ENCA & International Media Personality | ||
| TIME | TOPICS | FACULTY |
| 08h00 – 09h00 | Registration and Accreditation of Participants | Welcome Refreshment | |
| 09h00 – 09h30 | OPENING SESSION Introduction and Welcome Message Message by Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) Message by MEC, Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) |
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SESSION 1 — OPEN MASTERCLASS | ||
| 09h30 – 11h30 | MICE Masterclass — Opening Session This open masterclass focuses on MICE as a strategic growth segment. Participants will gain foundational and advanced insights into leveraging MICE for intra-African tourism growth across the entire tourism and MICE value chain and ecosystems. Outcomes include enhanced stakeholder capacity, demonstrating the economic value of MICE tourism, building municipal-level understanding of business tourism, and identification of scalable MICE opportunities. | To be announced |
| REFRESHMENT AND NETWORKING BREAK — 11h30 – 11h45 | ||
SESSION 2 — OPEN MASTERCLASS | ||
| 11h45 – 13h00 | Masterclass by Tourism Grading Council of South Africa Why Get Graded: The significance of star grading, basic quality verification, and quality assurance in African tourism accommodation and facilities. |
Speakers to be announced |
CLOSED SESSION — BY INVITATION ONLY INTRA-AFRICA TOURISM AND INVESTMENT ROUNDTABLE | ||
| 09h00 – 11h30 | Intra-Africa Tourism and Investment Roundtable This closed session brings together key project promoters, tourism investment advisory firms, funders, and investors to explore capital raising, financing mechanisms, and investment readiness in Africa’s tourism sector. Expected outcomes include strengthened investor-developer linkages, clearer financing pathways, advocacy for the inclusion of tourism investment, and actionable insights for structuring bankable tourism projects. | Participants to be announced |
| COFFEE BREAK — 11h30 – 11h45 | ||
| 11h45 – 13h00 | Unlocking Tourism & Hospitality-Led Investment Opportunities in Africa through SEZs This session explores successful Special Economic Zone models from across Africa and the lessons they offer for strengthening tourism-led investment, infrastructure development, and regional competitiveness in Limpopo. Through expert insights and practical case studies, the discussion will examine how tourism can be strategically integrated into SEZ planning to unlock investment opportunities, enhance destination development, and accelerate sustainable economic growth. | Speakers to be announced |
| 13h00 – 14h00 | NETWORKING LUNCH | |
SESSION 3 — AFTERNOON PROGRAMME | ||
| 14h00 – 15h30 | Leveraging Biodiversity and Conservation for Sustainable Tourism Growth This session examines how biodiversity, wildlife conservation, and transfrontier conservation areas can drive sustainable tourism development, community impact, and destination competitiveness. Using Limpopo as a case study, the discussion will highlight opportunities in eco-tourism, conservation partnerships, and nature-based tourism investment. | Speakers to be announced |
| 15h30 – 17h00 | Open Session — Destination Showcases and B2B Sessions Africa Connects in Polokwane City This interactive session showcases African destinations while facilitating direct business engagements. Expected outcomes include new partnerships, destination marketing exposure, and increased intra-African trade connections. | Participating destinations to be announced |
| 17h00 – 19h00 | B2B NETWORKING COCKTAIL SESSION | |
OPENING CEREMONY & PLENARY SESSIONS THURSDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 2026 PROGRAMME DIRECTOR: NALEDI MOLEO – News Anchor, ENCA & International Media Personality | ||
| TIME | TOPICS | FACULTY |
| 08h00 – 09h00 | Registration and Accreditation of Participants | |
| 09h00 – 09h05 | Introduction | |
| 09h05 – 09h10 | National Anthem | |
| 09h10 – 09h55 | Welcome Messages Welcome Messages from the Capricorn and Polokwane Mayors Message by the Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) Board Chairperson Message by the CEO, Africa Tourism Partners Solidarity Messages: ICCA, ATTA, SADC Secretariat Keynote Messages by Secretaries-General: UN Tourism, AfCFTA Secretariat and National Minister of Tourism |
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| 09h55 – 10h10 | Cultural Performance | |
| 10h10 – 10h15 | Remarks by MEC and Introduction of the Premier of Limpopo |
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| 10h15 – 10h25 | Keynote Address and Official Opening by the Guest of Honour, Premier of Limpopo |
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| 10h25 – 10h45 | The Power Talk (Keynote) Geopolitics, Trade Wars, and Prospects for Intra-African and Regional Tourism in Africa |
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| 10h45 – 11h00 | Photo Session & Tour of Sustainability & Exhibition Village by Guest of Honour | |
| COFFEE BREAK — 11h00 – 11h15 | ||
SESSION 1 — AFCFTA FORUM | ||
| 11h15 – 13h00 | AfCFTA Forum on Tourism, Creatives and Cultural Industries: Regional Outlook and Global Dynamics This session examines significant trends influencing Africa’s tourism and creative sectors within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. It evaluates how entrepreneurs and industry leaders can utilise culture, heritage, and creative industries to generate commercial value from the expansion of intra-African travel, trade, and markets. Attendees will gain strategies to enhance the competitiveness of their businesses and organisations, as well as to advance regional trade and collaboration. | Speakers & Moderator to be announced |
| 13h00 – 14h00 | NETWORKING LUNCH | |
SESSION 2 — SUSTAINABILITY & CONSERVATION | ||
| 14h00 – 15h00 | Sustainable Conservation and Wildlife Management Strategic assets to unlocking the real value of Africa’s tourism future through sustainability and social impact. This session highlights the role of sustainable conservation and wildlife management as key drivers of Africa’s tourism value — with Limpopo and SANParks as case studies. It will explore how aligning environmental protection with social impact can unlock long-term growth and resilience in the sector. | Speakers & Moderator to be announced |
SESSION 3 — AIR ACCESS & AVIATION | ||
| 15h00 – 16h00 | Rethinking Policy for Air Access Growth & Aviation Protectionism Air access and aviation reforms to boost MICE growth and address missed aviation policy opportunities limiting Africa’s tourism potential. This session explores key reforms to improve air access across Africa, enhance travel facilitation, and unlock tourism and business travel (MICE) opportunities. It also examines the impact of aviation protectionism on connectivity and tourism growth, highlighting missed policy opportunities and pathways for more inclusive and sustainable sector development. | Speakers & Moderator to be announced |
SESSION 4 — AI & TECHNOLOGY | ||
| 16h00 – 16h30 | AI & The Exponential Shift The strategic imperatives of technological acceleration in shaping the growth trajectory of tourism businesses and destination arrivals. This session explores how AI and emerging technologies are transforming tourism businesses and destination competitiveness. It will highlight the strategic imperatives of technological acceleration in shaping the growth trajectory of tourism businesses and destination arrivals. | Speakers & Moderator to be announced |
SESSION 5 — SYNTHESIS & CLOSE | ||
| 16h30 – 16h45 | Synthesis of the Day and End of Day | |
| 19h00 – 22h00 | OFFICIAL WELCOME COCKTAIL — THE LIMPOPO EXPERIENCE & CULTURAL NIGHT | |
INDUSTRY DEEP DIVES & CLOSING FRIDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 2026 PROGRAMME DIRECTOR: NALEDI MOLEO – News Anchor, ENCA & International Media Personality | ||
| TIME | TOPICS | FACULTY |
| 08h00 – 09h00 | Registration and Accreditation of Participants | |
SESSION 1 — PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION | ||
| 09h00 – 10h00 | Public-Private Collaboration and Emerging Tourism Markets A legacy for leadership in addressing industry challenges and unlocking opportunities. This session explores how strengthened public-private partnerships can address industry challenges while unlocking new growth opportunities. It will examine the rise of emerging tourism markets and strategies to reduce reliance on traditional source markets, driving year-round demand, diversification, and resilience in the sector. | Speakers & Moderator to be announced |
SESSION 2 — HERITAGE, CULTURE & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES | ||
| 10h00 – 11h00 | Rooted in Heritage, Culture and Creative Industries Understanding how tourism businesses and brands can leverage Africa’s soft power to shape strategy, destination brand identity, and market influence. This session explores how heritage, culture, festivals, music, fashion, and creative industries can be commercialised and positioned as strategic tourism assets to strengthen destination identity, drive tourism demand, and unlock new economic opportunities. The discussion will highlight how African destinations can leverage their cultural soft power to enhance competitiveness, attract investment, and grow sustainable tourism and creative economies. | Speakers & Moderator to be announced |
| COFFEE BREAK — 11h00 – 11h15 | ||
SESSION 3 — INCLUSIVITY & DIVERSITY | ||
| 11h15 – 13h00 | Mainstreaming Inclusivity and Diversity A purpose-driven approach to enhancing the profitability of African tourism and hospitality businesses in local municipalities. This session explores how inclusive and diverse business models can improve competitiveness, profitability, and sustainable growth within Africa’s tourism and hospitality sector. The discussion will focus on strengthening the participation of youth, women, local enterprises, and municipalities across the tourism value chain while promoting greater economic inclusion and business resilience. | Speakers & Moderator to be announced |
| 13h00 – 14h00 | NETWORKING LUNCH | |
SESSION 4 — YOUTH & WOMEN EMPOWERMENT | ||
| 14h00 – 15h00 | Accelerating Youth and Women Empowerment Best practices for advancing financial inclusion of youth and women in travel, tourism, and hospitality through targeted enterprise development support. This session examines strategies to promote financial inclusion and enterprise development for youth- and women-led businesses in tourism, travel, hospitality, and economic participation across the tourism value chain — emphasising their role as key drivers of sector growth. | Speakers & Moderator to be announced |
SESSION 5 — CRISIS & RESILIENCE | ||
| 15h00 – 15h45 | Crisis and Resilience Preparedness Developing a crisis-ready tourism sector in Africa to improve responsiveness and facilitate rapid recovery. This session focuses on building a crisis-ready tourism sector — covering climate change, geo-political tensions, wars and health pandemics — by strengthening preparedness, response, and recovery strategies to support long-term resilience, with practical lessons from African and global examples. | Speakers & Moderator to be announced |
SESSION 6 — TOURISM ROUTE DEVELOPMENT | ||
| 15h45 – 16h45 | Optimising Tourism Route Development A structured approach to addressing the effects of changing global tourism demand in Africa. This session examines structured strategies and the importance of route development to diversify tourism offerings, reduce the impact of shifting global demand, and support destination branding and marketing. | Speakers & Moderator to be announced |
| 16h45 – 17h00 | Synthesis of the Day & Roadmap for 2027 | |
| 19h00 – 22h00 | OFFICIAL AWARDS & CLOSING GALA DINNER ‘Recognising Leadership, Excellence and Inspiration in Africa’s Travel & Tourism’ | |