08 Oct 2023

Government through the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has received the Destination Africa-Lifetime Award at the just-ended sixth Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) in Gaborone.

Minister Philda Kereng received the award last night at the ATLF award ceremony. 

The award recognises exceptional lifetime contribution to increasing positive changes in relation to ‘Destination Africa’ beyond the African continent.

In 2022 during the fifth ATLF awards also held in Gaborone, Ms Kereng received a Special Recognition Award. 

It was bestowed on her for the strides the country overcame in the tourism sector despite the COVID-19 effects.

The ATLF awards are the only pan African industry awards which recognise and celebrate change-makers and innovation pioneered by Africans in Africa, for African travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industries. 

Particular attention and recognition is given to nominees who can prove their commitment to leadership through sustainability in tourism practices and policy-making.

Nominees and winners include individuals, small enterprises, countries and heads of state, destinations, cities, hotel groups, organisations, ministers, policy-makers and entrepreneurs.

Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) is a Pan-African dialogue platform that brings together key stakeholders of Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors to network and share insights. 

It also devises strategies for intra-Africa travel and tourism growth across the continent, whilst enhancing the brand equity of ‘Destination Africa’. 

It is also the only forum in Africa that highlights tourism as a major economic pillar to diversify African economies.

This year, the ATLF collaborated with African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to host AfCFTA Forum on Tourism, Creative and Cultural Industries. 

The platform addressed challenges within the creative and cultural industries and advanced Africa’s economic competitiveness through sustainable tourism and cultural development.

Meanwhile, Ms Mmankudu Glickman of Bahurutshe Cultural Village in Mmankgodi and Mr Kinson Kgaga of Botswana Guides Association were honoured with Minister’s Recognition Awards.

Botswana commits to hosting the ATLF Forum event for the next three years, in an effort to regain the country’s pre-pandemic tourism status by 2024. 

Botswana started her three-year tenure to host last year with the fifth edition of the Forum, and will host the seventh ATLF again in 2024 to complete the term. ends