The competition, which is the sixth edition, will be hosted at Windhoek by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia.
The tourism summit, the only pan-African platform dedicated to youth and start-ups in tourism, is hosted by Africa Tourism Partners, South Africa, in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and BDO, South Africa.
The competition is open to innovative ideas and solutions transcending technology, but travel, tourism and MICE industry-related projects for review and adjudication by a preeminent panel of industry leaders.
The top five finalists of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge are exposed to industry executives, mentors and possible financiers and/or partnerships through the summit and other media outlets.
The summit aims at supporting African youth, start-ups, small businesses, and accelerator programmes.
The competitors would explore opportunities within the global tourism ecosystem to become future leaders and change agents in the sector.
Other objectives of the competition include creating a viable network to support youths, start-ups and small enterprises to maximise their leadership potential.
It would help youths to drive transformative change in their societies and nations at large through critical and design thinking.
It seeks to train, inspire and equip youths across the African Continent to impact their world, and proffer lasting innovative solutions for the growing Africa tourism sector.
It would also empower youth at all levels, start-ups and small enterprises by offering market access, business development, value-partnership, mentorship and funding solutions.
Beyond providing opportunities for career development, the summit would avail young people interested in pursuing careers in travel, tourism, tourism academia, hospitality, aviation, conservation and related industries the opportunity to present their bankable projects and tourism-related businesses to a global audience.
Here are the key things you should know about the 2024 edition of the Youth In Tourism Innovation Summit & Challenge:
It is the sixth edition of the summit and it will be hosted at Windhoek, Namibia by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism from May 28 to May 31, 2024;
The main areas of concentration are young entrepreneurship, students’ immersion in innovation, small business development, personal change and self-actualisation, among others;
Participants will network with leaders in African and international tourism, creative entrepreneurs, and partner organisations from around the African Continent;
The 2024 summit will feature desktop exhibition focused on highlighting youth empowerment initiatives, SME trade offerings.
These include tour operators, tourism accommodation facilities, transport service providers, educational institutions, travel and marketing technology start-ups and incubators, employment agencies, professional development, and more.
The goal is to provide a transformative platform for African start-ups, entrepreneurs, students and small enterprises for income generation and career development;
Winners and runners-up stand the chance to win a total prize valued at USD 12,000 in cash and kind, including a cash grant seed of $1000.00 for the winner and $500.00 each for both the 1st and 2nd runners-up.
They will also get a scholarship to enrol in short courses provided by the UNWTO; sponsored membership to join the Africa Youth Innovation Hub (valued at $5000), mentoring, partnership opportunities, potential funding support and career prospects;
The deadline for submission of entries for the 2024 edition of the Africa Youth In Tourism Innovation Summit & Challenge is Friday, 1 March, 2024.
Adjudicators will shortlist Top 5 on 22 March; shortlisted project promoters will be informed on 29 March; 12 hours mentorship for elevator pitches will hold from 10 April to 16 May.
Submission of shortlisted project promoters, a five-minute presentation to be presented at the summit on 15 May; top three would be announced at the summit at the summit in Windhoek, Namibia on 31 May, 2024.
Each competitor is required to show a demo/ Minimum Viable Product (MVP) during the presentation (five minutes).
Winners and runners-up would be announced at the ATLF Awards, holding in Gaborone, Botswana in September 2024.
