Essence of Africa brings together tourism professionals in Nairobi

KENYA – The inaugural edition of Essence of Africa, a premier tourism event kicked off on December 2, featuring 255 key professionals and stakeholders in the industry from 37 countries.

The event served as a significant platform for tourism professionals and thought leaders to engage in cutting-edge discussions about the future of sustainable tourism and the global marketing of Africa.

This year’s gathering focuses on driving innovation in African tourism, featuring insightful sessions led by prominent speakers such as Amos Wekesa of Great Lakes Safaris Limited, Judith Lagat Tanchu of Cheli & Peacock Safaris, and Mohanjeet Brar of Gamewatchers Safaris & Porini Camps.

Topics range from creating sustainable business models that support local communities to developing bold strategies for marketing Africa’s offerings to a global audience, providing actionable insights to foster tourism growth across the continent.

The programme is designed to promote deeper connections within the sector through high-level networking, one-on-one meetings between exhibitors and buyers, and immersive familiarization (FAM) trips. These activities aim to spark meaningful partnerships and innovation in the tourism industry.

The day began at Nairobi Street Kitchen, known for its cultural richness, where Jan Hutton, CEO of Australian Tourism Data Warehouse, delivered a keynote address. Hutton highlighted the critical role of human intelligence and authentic experiences in shaping the future of African tourism. 

A notable highlight was the Market Buzz sessions, which featured candid discussions about market trends and opportunities across four global regions: Africa & the Middle East, Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe.

These sessions tackled topics such as digital transformation and sustainable tourism practices, offering valuable insights for the industry’s advancement.

In the afternoon, business meetings commenced at Sarit Expo Centre, bringing together 130 pre-qualified buyers and 125 African exhibitors.

These targeted appointments, scheduled over three days, are integral to the event’s mission of fostering partnerships between African tourism suppliers and global buyers.

Running until December 4, the event will continue to host thought-provoking discussions led by esteemed industry leaders.

Key sessions will delve deeper into sustainable tourism models and innovative marketing strategies for showcasing Africa’s diverse attractions to global markets.

With over 4,000 meetings planned across three days, Essence of Africa positions itself as a critical platform for shaping the future of African tourism, driving innovation, and establishing impactful collaborations within the industry.

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