2026 Programme

VENUE: MEROPA CASINO AND ENTERTAINMENT WORLD

Masterclasses: MICE, Tourism and Hospitality

• MICE Masterclass
• Quality Assurance and Grading Masterclass

Presented by:

• South African Tourism
• Southern Africa Association of Conference Industries
• Africa Tourism Partners

• Naledi Moleo – Programme Director, News Anchor, ENCA and International Media Personality, South Africa

ATLF HOSPITALITY & TOURISM INVESTMENT ROUNDTABLE

Closed Session – by invitation only

VENUE: PARK INN BY RADISSON, POLOKWANE CITY

Presented By:

• Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
• Africa Tourism Partners
• BDO South Africa

• Registration and Accreditation of Delegates
• Welcome Refreshment

OPENING SESSION

Message of Support by Board Chairperson of LTA

Keynote Address

• Freddy Greaver – Board Chairperson, Limpopo Tourism Agency, South Africa
• Hon. Dr. Tshitereke Matibe – MEC, Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET)

Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Masterclass – The Experts’ Insights

Topic: Demonstrating the economic significance and value of the global MICE industry for scalable tourism and hospitality enterprises – Africa and Non-African perspectives

Programme Director:

• Naledi Moleo – News Anchor, ENCA and International Media Personality, South Africa

Moderator:

• Gerrit David – Lead Advisor, TaranisCo Advisor, South Africa

Scene Setting:

• Adele Hartdegen – CEO, Johannesburg Expo Centre and Dogan Exhibitions and Events, South Africa
• Dr. Dušan Borovčanin – Advisor for International Relations and Cooperation with the BIE EXPO 2027 Belgrade, Serbia

Panellists:

• Adele Hartdegen – CEO, Johannesburg Expo Centre and Dogan Exhibitions and Events, South Africa
• Dr. Dušan Borovčanin – Advisor for International Relations and Cooperation with the BIE EXPO 2027 Belgrade, Serbia
• Corne Koch – Chief Convention Bureau Officer, South Africa Tourism
• Inga Mtolo – Senior Consultant Strategic Development and Advisory, BDO, South Africa

Masterclass by Tourism Grading Council of South Africa

Topic: Why Get Graded – The significance of star grading, basic quality verification, and quality assurance in African tourism accommodation and facilities

VENUE: MEROPA CASINO AND ENTERTAINMENT WORLD

• Bronwen Auret – Chief Quality Assurance Officer (CQAO), South African Tourism

Presented by:

• Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA)
• Africa Tourism Partners
• AfCFTA-endorsed Africa Tourism Private Sector Alliance (ATPSA)

CLOSED SESSION – INTRA-AFRICA TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INVESTMENT ROUNDTABLE & DIALOGUE (BY INVITATION ONLY)

VENUE: PARK INN BY RADISSON, POLOKWANE CITY

9h00 – 16h00

14h00 – 16h00: AFRICA CONNECTS™ B2B OPEN SESSION

LTA AND ATPSA/AFCFTA DESTINATION B2B SESSION

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.

3 SEPTEMBER 2026

DAY 2 – OPENING CEREMONY & PLENARY SESSIONS FOR ALL REGISTERED DELEGATES AND PARTICIPANTS

VENUE: MEROPA CASINO AND ENTERTAINMENT WORLD, POLOKWANE CITY

Ministerial and Executives Insights into Regional Outlook and Global Dynamics

AfCFTA Forum on Tourism, Creatives and Cultural Industries: Key trends influencing Africa’s tourism and creative sectors within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

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 utilize 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 organizations, as well as to advance regional trade and collaboration.

Moderator:

• Kagisho Bapela – Head: Services Strategic Business Unit, Industrial Development Corporation, South Africa

Panellists:

• Emily Mburu-Ndoria – Director, Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights & Digital Trade (DTIID), AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana
• Hon. Barbara Rwodzi – Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Zimbabwe
• Hon. Anselm Nyangana Marungu – Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia
• Joel ‘Kachi Benson – Emmy Award-winning Film Producer, JB Multimedia Group, Nigeria
• Hon. Susan Nakawuki Nsaambu – Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda
• Charlene Ludick – General Manager, Meropa Casino & Entertainment World, South Africa

Reinventing Thought-Leadership: Rooted in Heritage, Culture and Creative Industries – AfCFTA Perspective

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.

Moderator:

• Amb. Albertus Aochamub – Interim CEO, The Meat Corporation of Namibia

Panellists:

• Hon. Funani Jerry Maseko – MEC, Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, South Africa
• Daro Umaigba – Award-winning filmmaker, photographer and storyteller, Nigeria
• JudySheila N. Mugo – Director of Content, Pulse East Africa
• Obinna Emelike – Assistant Editor, Business Day, Nigeria, and Award Winner, CNN Multi Choice Award

Business Leaders’ Dialogue

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.

Status on Aviation in African-Indian Ocean (AFI) Region – Opportunities and potential traffic/tourism stimuli.

Scene Setting:

• Elcia Grandcourt – Director, Africa Department, UN Tourism, Spain
• Somas Appavou – Regional Director External Affairs for Africa, IATA, Nairobi, Kenya

Moderator:

• Somas Appavou – Regional Director External Affairs for Africa, IATA, Nairobi, Kenya

Panellists:

• Tebogo Tsimane – Chief Commercial Officer, South African Airways (SAA)
• Abigail Shansonga – Acting CEO, Zambia Tourism Agency, Zambia
• Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa – Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA)
• Bronwen Auret – Chief Quality Assurance Officer (CQAO), South Africa
• Aaron Munetsi – CEO, Airlines Association of Southern Africa

Fire Chat

Real-time datasets: A significant opportunity for actionable pricing, targeting, and operational strategies for DMOs, investors and tourism accommodation owners.

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.

Scene-Setter:

• Diego Rodriguez Royo – Co-Founder and CEO, Passporter, Spain

Interviewer:

• Nils Heckscher – Managing Director, PKF Hospitality, Head of Africa & Middle East, South Africa

Interviewees:

• Diego Rodriguez Royo – Co-Founder and CEO, Passporter, Spain
• Prof. Kobby Mensah – CEO, Ghana Tourism Development Company, Ghana

• Keleabetswe Tlouane – Deputy Director-General (DDG), LEDET, South Africa

4 SEPTEMBER 2026

DAY 3 – INDUSTRY DEEP DIVES & CLOSING

Collaborative Leadership Insights

Public-Private-Community (PPCPs) Collaboration and Emerging Tourism Markets: A legacy for leadership in addressing industry challenges and unlocking opportunities.

This session explores how strengthened public-private-community 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.

Moderator:

• Safiyya Akoojee – Director, Fortunatus, Dubai

Panellists:

• Veruschka Pekeur – Board Chairperson, Northern Cape Economic Development Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, South Africa
• Scott Lovett – Partner, Advisory Project & Infrastructure Advisory, BDO Australia
• Sebulon Chicalu – CEO, Namibia Tourism Board, Namibia
• Nicanor Sabula – CEO, Association of Eastern and Southern Africa Travel Agents (AESATA), Kenya
• Rodney Bunhiko – Project Coordinator, UNESCO Southern Africa Office, Zimbabwe
• Guy Stehlik – Founder and CEO, BON Hotels, South Africa

Thought-Leadership Conversation

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.

Scene Setting / Moderator:

• Dr. Shatha Al Kaud – Founder and CEO, Emportality Consultancy, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

Panellists:

• Ben-Anane Nsiah – Deputy CEO, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana
• Epson Kasuto – Chief Marketing Officer, Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), Namibia
• Justice Ofentse – Acting Chief Executive Officer, Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO), Botswana
• Dr George Wambura – Lead Wildlife Economy, SADC Secretariat, Botswana

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.

Moderator:

• Akwasi Obeng-Adjei – Executive, Risk (Business Bank), Absa Group Ltd, South Africa

Panellists:

• Mokwena Morulane – Managing Director, Cresta Marakanelo Limited, Botswana
• Hafsa H. Mbamba – Tourism Delivery Manager, Zanzibar Presidential Delivery Bureau, Zanzibar
• Christelle Grohmann – Partner and Director, BDO South Africa
• Oupa Pilane – Co-Founder and Director, Graskop Gorge Lift Company, South Africa
• Sadiq Dinquar – Founder & CEO, Afriluxe Tourism Advisory Services

Traditional Tourism Accommodation and Short-Term Rentals – Tourism business opportunity for local hospitality and local community tourism investors.

Moderator:

• Lee-Ann Bac – Partner & Director, BDO South Africa

Panellists:

• Charles Kachelenga – Chief Tourism Officer, Department of Tourism, Malawi
• Austin Hickey – Head of Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Consulting, BDO Ireland LLP
• Zaim Muhammad – Managing Director, Redberry Travel & Tourism Consultant, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Gillian Saunders – Tourism and Hospitality Consultant, South Africa
• Martha Sidebi – General Manager, Khoroni Casino Convention Resort, South Africa

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, emphasizing their role as key drivers of sector growth.

Moderator:

• Keleabetswe Tlouane – Deputy Director-General (DDG), Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment

Panellists:

• Nyiko Maluleke – Secretary of Limpopo Youth in Tourism (LimYiT), South Africa
• Octavius Maketo – CEO, Ubuntu Aquatics CC, Namibia
• Devota Mdachi – Director, Africa Tourism Partners, Tanzania, East Africa
• Winnet Muchanyuka – Founder and CEO, Executive Concierge, Zimbabwe, and Former CEO, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Aviation Professional
• Corne Koch – Chief Convention Bureau Officer, South Africa Tourism

Crisis and Resilience Preparedness: Developing a crisis-ready tourism and hospitality sector in Africa to improve responsiveness and facilitate rapid recovery.

This session focuses on building a crisis-ready (climate change, geo-political tensions, wars and health pandemics) tourism sector by strengthening preparedness, response and recovery strategies to support long-term resilience, with practical lessons from African and global examples.

Scene Setting and Moderator:

• Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa – Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA)

Panellists:

• JS Anand – Founder & CEO, Leva Hotels and Resorts, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Deborah Claire O’Connor – Associate Director Sustainability, BDO South Africa
• June Chepkemei – Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Tourism Board
• Katlego Mphahlele – Senior Deal Maker, Industrial Development Corporation, South Africa
• Kossi Toulassi – Head of Industrialization, Trade, Markets and Economic Analysis, AUDA-NEPAD, South Africa

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.

Moderator:

• Nomasonto Ndlovu – CEO, Beacon Africa Consultancy, South Africa

Panellists:

• Egas Tembe – Tourism Development and Investment Specialist, National Agency for Tourism Development and Investment, Mozambique
• Moses Ngobeni – CEO, Limpopo Tourism Agency
• Givemore Chidzidzi – Former COO, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Tourism Expert, Zimbabwe
• Jonathan Denga – Acting CEO of the Northwest Parks & Tourism Board (NWPTB), South Africa
• Barba Gaoganediwe – Head of Destination Marketing, Gauteng Tourism Authority, South Africa

• Lee-Anne Bac – Director and Partner, BDO South Africa
• Christelle Grohmann – Director and Partner, BDO South Africa