KENYA – Nairobi has been selected to host the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge (AYTIS) from 2025 to 2027, hosted by the Tourism Events Advisory and Management Services Africa (TEAMS Africa).

The organizer (TEAMS Africa) is a joint venture between industry professionals Joram Mwinamo and Håvar Bauck.

TEAMS Africa revealed it will announce dates for the 2025 Summit before the end of October.

The pan-African event is dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship in the tourism sector across the continent.

The key areas of focus of the event are youth entrepreneurship, students’ immersion in innovation, and small enterprise development.

The annual event brings together African and global tourism leaders, entrepreneurial innovators, and partner organizations from across Africa and the rest of the world.

It features a desktop exhibition focused on highlighting youth empowerment initiatives, and SME trade offerings including tour operators, tourism accommodation facilities, transport service providers, educational institutions, and travel and marketing technology start-ups.

The 6th edition of AYTIS was held in Windhoek, Namibia, attracting more than 500 attendees. AYTIS 2024 brought together 300 entrepreneurs, as well as senior government officials and other tourism stakeholders across Africa.

According to the organizers, Nairobi’s selection reinforces Kenya’s position as an African tourism hub.

Havar Bauck welcomed the joint venture’s selection for hosting the event by saying, “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.”

“We also 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.  AYTIS is the forum that brings together the innovators who will make that happen.”

He also reiterated the importance of the tourism sector in enhancing economic development in the region.

Bauck reiterated tourism is more than hotels, restaurants, and travel, it is a complete industry with a definite value chain. It provides a unique opportunity for tech startups, local artisans, agri-businesses, and other entrepreneurs to survive.

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