Africa Tourism Partners (ATP) has announced the top five finalists for the sixth Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge 2024.
ATP stated this in a release from Johannesburg, South Africa and dated Friday, 12 April, 2024.
Devin Itaagie (Uganda), Kedumetse Liphi (Botswana), Joseph Owiredu (Ghana), Ajena Jafar (Uganda) and Gerald Muema (Kenya) qualified to proceed to the next level of adjudication.
The Challenge, opened on 1 November, 2023 for the youths to submit their projects, closed on 1 March, 2024 and attracted over 154 entries from innovators across Africa.
It was further disclosed that, as part of the process, the projects were submitted to the judges for adjudication to determine the qualifying projects.
“The shortlisted innovators will present their demo/Minimum Viable Product at the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit scheduled for 28 to 31 May, 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia.
“Namibian innovators were also recognised and given the opportunity to compete amongst themselves.
“Sarome Natalia Nalooliwa Hamata, Sarah Anghuwo and Rosalia Laudika are the top three finalists for the 2024 and 6th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge.
“The countries that participated in the Innovation Challenge include Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe,” it was stated.
The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge is an exclusive platform being provided to innovative African youth in travel and tourism looking for funding, partnership and mentorship opportunities to present their projects to the global marketplace in order to find the required support for their programmes.
It is hosted by the Government of Namibia through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in collaboration with Africa Tourism Partners, UN Tourism, BDO and other partners.
The 2024 Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit is scheduled for 28 to 31 May, 2024.
Speakers expected at this year’s Summit included Teofilus Nghitila – Executive Director of Tourism, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia; and Samiya Abdulkadir Godu – President, Ethiopian Youth Entrepreneurs Association.
Also included is Evah Mosetlhane – Tourism & SMME Development Consultant, Botswana, Mbali Mngomezulu – Manager Of Business Development @ Mastercard | Grading Assessor Accreditation CATHSETA, South Africa, among others.
It was stated in the release that Namibia is ready to showcase itself to the visitors and take them through some breathtaking moments.
“One of the greatest attractions that Namibia Boasts about is the Sossusvlei desert. Sossusvlei is all salt, clay, and sand, with remarkable red dunes arching and curling seemingly forever.
“The popular tourist attraction is in the southern part of the Namib Desert and is part of the Namib Sand Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site. These dunes are among the highest in the world,” it was added.
Meanwhile, registrations for both physical and virtual participants are ongoing. Interested persons may visit www.youthtourismsummit.com.
The contact person for more information about the Summit, exhibition, partnerships, sponsorships and registration is Ms. Rejoice Chishamba at: rejoice@africatourismpartners.com / +27 (0) 11 318 1741 / +27 (0) 81 303 7030.
African Tourism Partners (ATP) – www.africatourismpartners.com- is a UNWTO- affiliated award-winning Pan-African tourism development and strategic destination marketing advisory firm.
ATP specialises in tourism and MICE strategy formulation, investment facilitation and promotion, research, master planning and destination market development and capacity building across Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation and golf sub-industries.l
Clients and partners of ATP included UNWTO, World Bank, Mastercard Foundation, NEPAD, AfCFTA, South African Tourism, Ghana Tourism Authority, Tourism KwaZulu- Natal, Rwanda Development Board and Rwanda Convention Bureau and Rwanda Chamber of Commerce.
They also included SAACI, RwandAir, SAA, Ethiopia Airlines, Tanzania Tourism Board, Kenya Tourism Board, Uganda Tourism Board, Gauteng Tourism Authority, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Nigeria, among others.
The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
A leading international organisation in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth.
This is inclusive of development and environmental sustainability and it offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.
