University backs first Africa Tourism Leadership Forum

As a Pan-African event, this is the first Africa travel and tourism industry gathering designed by Africans, for Africans and being hosted in Africa. The forum will convene global and African travel and tourism business leaders, ministers, policymakers, tourism authorities, investors, destination marketing organisations, academics, travel trade and media to deliberate on initiatives to enhance intra-Africa travel and sustainable development of tourism across the continent.

Professor Marina Novelli is Professor of Tourism and International Development and academic lead for the university’s Responsible Futures agenda. She will be delivering the opening Masterclass on Sustainable Tourism Product Development and will co-chair the Committee for the first Africa Tourism Leadership Awards with Judy Kepher Gona, founder of Sustainable Travel & Tourism Agenda based in Kenya.

Ghana Tourism Authority, in collaboration with Africa Tourism Partners (ATP) and its lead partner, Grant Thornton accounting, is hosting the event on 30-31 August in Accra, Ghana, and countries across Africa are expected to be represented.

Professor Novelli said: “As part of our university’s Responsible Futures research and enterprise agenda, and building on more than 15 years of applied research in Africa, it is a privilege to be invited to contribute to the first-ever Africa travel and tourism leadership forum.

“This is a unique industry-focused event, which provides an exceptional opportunity to bridge the gap between the academic and practitioners’ world, and jointly explore ways to address the multifaceted challenges faced by the sector.

“I look forward to taking part in what will no doubt be a productive dialogue and a great platform to consolidate existing and forge new collaborations in the continent.”

ATP’s CEO, Kwakye Donkor, said the support received, including that from the University of Brighton “underscores the significance of this forum”.