05 Feb 2025

Botswana will take part in the upcoming African Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit (AYTIS) 2025, set to take place in Nairobi this June.

The summit, which is a premier platform for young tourism professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs, promises to foster collaboration and innovation within Africa’s tourism landscape.

One of Botswana’s youth regular attendee, Ms Buang Chelane, told BOPA that AYTIS 2025 represented more than just a summit.

When sharing her experience, Chelane who is a young tourism professional, said she had been participating in both AYTIS and the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) over the years.

"I have been attending both AYTIS and ATLF for the past years, and it has been an exceptional experience for me, especially as a youth in the sector. In 2024, I attended AYTIS in Namibia and ATLF in Botswana. These conferences bring together the movers and shakers, the innovators who shape both today’s and tomorrow’s tourism industry in Africa," said Ms Chelane.

She highlighted how the networking opportunities and insights gained from these forums were invaluable for anyone pursuing a future in tourism.

“Engaging with decision-makers, policymakers, and industry leaders provides young professionals with first-hand knowledge of the latest trends and developments,” she said.

She said one of the tourism summits, ATLF, which has been hosted in Botswana for three consecutive years had boosted the country’s tourism profile.

According to her, continued participation in events like AYTIS would help solidify Botswana’s position as a key player in Africa’s tourism sector.

"Through AYTIS and ATLF, I have also come to know the team that will be hosting AYTIS in Nairobi in 2025, 2026, and 2027. These are some of the brightest minds in African tourism and entrepreneurship, and I honestly can’t wait to see what they will bring to the summit this year. I will be there, and so should every aspiring tourism professional from Botswana," Ms Chelane added.

While attending these summits, she said that many young people from African countries such as South Africa, Namibia ,Kenya,Tanzania,Zimbabwe and others participated, therefore this was a great opportunity for networking.

The 2025 edition follows the highly successful 2024 summit in Windhoek, Namibia, which drew over 500 delegates, including 300 entrepreneurs.

This year’s event promises to build on that momentum, empowering young innovators to drive tourism in new and exciting directions.

In an interview, one of the event coordinators and a co-founder of Tourism Events Advisory and Management Services Africa (TEAMS Africa), Mr Barry Clement, highlighted Botswana’s consistent engagement with AYTIS.

“Botswana actively participated in previous AYTIS editions, with senior government officials and private sector leaders encouraging youth to embrace the opportunities the summit offers. Local companies have also made impressive contributions to the challenge, with one even reaching the finalist stage last year,” Mr Clement explained.

Reflecting on Botswana’s achievements, he noted how participation in AYTIS has spurred the growth of start-ups into thriving businesses.

“During the ATLF events hosted in Botswana over the past three years, we saw businesses evolve, showcasing the transformative potential of platforms like AYTIS,” he said.

He also said  the upcoming summit in Nairobi promised even more opportunities for Botswana’s youth.

Another event coordinator, Mr Håvar Bauck, and also a key player in TEAMS Africa,  said for Botswana’s youth delegates, AYTIS 2025 was not just a summit but a launch pad for innovation, collaboration, and growth.

He advised delegates to network actively, research the speaker list, and plan their participation around sessions that align with their goals.

“The connections you make and the insights you gain at AYTIS could be transformative for your tourism business,” he said.

Mr Bauck also emphasized that AYTIS 2025 would focus on technology and marketing as critical tools for advancing tourism.

“Tourism has the potential to be a leading driver of economic growth and job creation in Africa for decades to come. By empowering young entrepreneurs and embracing innovation, we can reshape the narrative of African tourism,” Mr Bauck stated.

He also said they were also introducing a Young Women in Tourism Masterclass to empower women in the sector and foster inclusivity.

The summit he said would also showcase a broader narrative of African tourism, moving beyond traditional wildlife and beach attractions to celebrate the continent’s cultural heritage, dynamic cities, and diverse experiences.

About Kenya’s selection as host country Mr Bauck said this underscored its growing influence in regional tourism. Another Coordinator, Joram Mwinamo, of AYTIS, highlighted Kenya’s focus on tourism technology.

“Leveraging cutting-edge tech solutions created significant opportunities for job creation, especially for youth and women. AYTIS will serve as a platform to harness this potential and propel the industry into a new era of digital transformation,” Mr Mwinamo remarked.

With Nairobi as the vibrant backdrop, he said, the event would undoubtedly inspire a new wave of tourism leaders ready to shape Africa’s tourism future. ENDS