About Awards

africa tourism leadership awards

This is the only pan African industry awards of its kind in Africa. It recognizes and celebrates change-makers and innovation pioneered by Africans, in Africa, for African travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industries.

Particular attention and recognition is given to nominees who can prove their commitment to leadership through sustainability in tourism practices and policy-making.

Nominees and winners include individuals, small enterprises, countries, heads of states, destinations, cities, hotel groups, organizations, ministers, policy-makers and entrepreneurs.

award Categories

Leading in Progressive Policies’ Award

A country, head of state, minister or government organization/team who has shown progressive and excellence in policy-making for sustainable tourism growth and development in their destination.

Most Innovative Business Tourism Destination Award

Most Innovative and Sustainable Business Tourism and MICE Destination in Africa based on destination rating, number of classified hotels, value for money, value chain development, number of visitors vs socio-economic benefits to the destination and/or green credentials.

Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award

An entrepreneur (or a small group of entrepreneurs) who has shown excellence in entrepreneurship in Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality and/or aviation industry.

Outstanding Africa Tourism Media & Marketing Award

The most influential media and/or marketing contribution to changing the image of Africa.

Outstanding Accommodation Facility / Group Award

Accommodation facility with best world class facilities, quality standards, service excellence provided to guests and sustainable practices (i.e. green credentials, decent employment practices, staff development opportunities) in Africa. Small operations are highly encouraged to participate.

Women in Leadership Award

The most inspiring and influential leading woman who has and continue to make and outstanding contribution to changing the course of tourism development in Africa.

Outstanding Tourism Transportation Award

Tourism transport organization providing the highest quality standard of service to travelers and has sustainability environmental credentials. This includes the most reliable and efficient transportation companies serving all destination in Africa including remote tourism destinations in Africa.

Championing Sustainability Award

Destination, business, third sector organization or policy that has made an outstanding contribution to conservation/ environmental protection and community development.

Destination Africa - Lifetime Award

This will be offered to an individual who has made exceptional lifetime contribution in creating positive change in relation to “Destination Africa” beyond the African continent.

entries criteria

Three (3) nominees from each category based on the following attributes:

Nominees must be a stakeholder in Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industries – including public, private, third sector stakeholders, individuals or group of individuals, destinations and communities operating in Africa.
Nominees must be involved in an outstanding project or initiative and demonstrate consistent achievements over a period of a minimum of 2 years.
Nominees must be able to demonstrate the sustainability of their operation in terms of the economic, environment and social impact (e.g. environmentally sensitive, ethical in their operations, inclusive in their workforce engagement).
Nominees must demonstrate some level of innovation in entrepreneurship and/or technology with measurable results.
Nominees must be change-makers (individuals, organizations, countries and destinations) who are enhancing the competitiveness of Africa’s Travel and Tourism industry.

Only one nominee will receive an Award in each category.
Auditing of awards will be done by BDO, South Africa
Nominees must be change-makers (individuals, organizations, countries and destinations) who are enhancing the competitiveness of Africa’s Travel and Tourism industry.

The nominees can self-nominate or be nominated by others and awards will be adjudicated will be adjudicated by an esteemed panel of renowned and globally recognised industry experts and professionals and audited by BDO Advisory Services.
All nominees will be notified by Africa Tourism Partners about their nomination.
Finalists may be asked to provide supporting materials including photos, videos, weblink, newspaper articles, brochures for marketing purposes to help promote themselves to voters.
By accepting nomination, the nominee agrees (he/She, organization, destination or country representative) to attend the ATLF and Awards Ceremony in Gaborone Botswana.
Only one nominee will receive an Award in each category.

Complementary invitation to ATLF Master Class Awards Dinner and any side events.
An opportunity to showcase services, products or destination during ATLF.
The opportunity to present the awardee’s work to the world at ATLF, and 12 months outstanding international media and digital marketing exposure at no cost.

NB: NO FEES are to be paid by nominees.

Announcements of the 2024 Awards Nominations
Opening – Monday, 18 March 2024
Closing Date – 27 June 2024
Adjudication/Voting – Adjudicators will shortlist Top 3 per Category: 15 July 2024
Shortlisted Nominees will be informed: 17 July 2024
Winners & Runners-up announcement: At ATLF Awards in Gaborone, Botswana 6 September 2024