- Kenya solidifies its position as East Africa’s tourism hub, with Nairobi chosen to host the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit for 2025, 2026, and 2027.
- The summit, which draws hundreds of innovators, government leaders, and tourism experts, will boost Kenya’s post-COVID tourism recovery.
- Organized by TEAMS Africa, the event underscores Nairobi’s growing prominence on the global tourism stage following a successful edition in Namibia.
Kenya, East Africa’s travel and tourism industry hub, has yet again cemented its position in the hospitality sector after the capital Nairobi was picked to host the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge (AYTIS) for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027.
This feat further reinforces Kenya as a tourism destination of choice as the industry continues to register growth post the Covid-19 economic fallout.
AYTIS is a platform that is fashioned to promote and uplift innovative investors within the dynamic tourism industry in the continent.
The global conference will be coming to Nairobi following the successful 2024 edition that was hosted in Windhoek, Namibia, welcoming over 500 participants. It expo attracted over 300 entrepreneurs, key government officials, and industry captains for an engagement that focused on fostering partnerships and showcasing a range of tourism offerings.
Tourism as a driver of economic growth in Africa
In a statement, Tourism Events Advisory and Management Services Africa (TEAMS Africa), a joint venture between esteemed travel industry professionals Barry Clemens and Håvar Bauck, is poised to host the upcoming summits in Nairobi with the exact dates and venue set to be announced later this month.
“Tourism has the potential to be a leading driver of economic growth and job creation in Africa for decades to come. Our goal is to showcase and uplift the innovators who are building tomorrow’s travel industry and can transform tourism in Africa. By empowering young entrepreneurs and embracing innovation, we can reshape the narrative of African tourism,” explained Håvar Bauck, Founder and CEO of HotelOnline.
He added, “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.”
AYTIS empowering upcoming entrepreneurs in the tourism industry
AYTIS is an annual Pan-African showcase that aims at empowering upcoming entrepreneurs in the tourism industry by providing a platform to drive innovation, network, and explore emerging investment opportunities in the sector. Every year, AYTIS brings together stakeholders from across the continent to devise ways of working together on advancing the potential of the tourism business in Africa.
Africa Tourism Partners, led by seasoned travel industry expert Kwakye Donkor, will continue as the convenor of the event. With a vision to expand the summit’s impact, the hosts aim to attract 800 participants in 2025, providing even more opportunities for networking, learning, and collaboration.
“The Africa Youth In Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge is a beacon for the untapped potential of our continent’s youth. We are delighted to bring AYTIS to Nairobi in partnership with TEAMS Africa. It is a city that mirrors the innovation and dynamism we strive to promote, and this partnership amplifies our shared commitment to youth empowerment and innovation in tourism sector,” explained Kwakye Donkor.
Read also: Tourism Rebound Drive Up VFS Global Visa Processes 35 Per Cent in 2023
The potential in Africa’s tourism industry
Previously, the expo has been organised in Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Ghana by through a partnership between the host countries’ governments, UN Tourism, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
Barry Clemens, the CEO, Hospitality EQ stated, “It is with immense pride that I welcome the African Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge (AYTIS) to Kenya, a nation at the heart of Africa’s tourism evolution. Having been part of AYTIS since its inception, I am thrilled to see it come home to a country that reflects the spirit of youth, innovation, and entrepreneurship in tourism.”
According to a survey by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and visa processors VFS Global, the African travel and tourism sector has the potential to grow by 6.5 per cent on average per year in the next decade, adding roughly $350 billion to the continent’s economy.
This growth is projected to open over 18 million new jobs, helping economies address joblessness, which is one of the most persistent challenges facing policymakers today.
Dubbed ‘Unlocking Opportunities for Travel & Tourism Growth in Africa’, the report also delves into a policy proposal tailored on improving Africa’s growth based on enahancing air transport infrastructure, the facilitation of visas and innovative ways to power tourism marketing.
“Tourism is far more than hotels, tour operators, and flights—it is a catalyst for transformation across the entire value chain. From technology startups to local artisans, agri-businesses, and environmental conservation initiatives, tourism creates endless opportunities for African entrepreneurs to thrive.
“It is essential we support and nurture the next generation, whose ideas will propel this industry into new and exciting directions, ultimately driving economic growth and inclusive development across the continent,” added Barry Clemens.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic economic fallout, the travel and tourism industry in Africa accounted for more than $186 billion to the continental, welcoming 84 million international travellers.
Across African countries, the tourism and travel industry is critical in creating jobs, especially for the youth who constitute the bulk of the population in the continent.
