RWANDA: 41st Annual World Tourism Conference 28-31 August, 2017 In Kigali

During the international year of tourism, The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) and Africa Travel Association (ATA) are proud to present the 41st Annual World Tourism Conference in Kigali, Rwanda.

In collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board, CCA and ATA designed this conference to set the tone for how tourism can be utilized as an engine for economic growth and job creation through innovative business models, new technologies and strategic partnerships.

The conference will also provide a platform to network and explore new tourism markets and products including the promotion and preservation of Africa’s rich cultural heritage and wildlife.

JOIN US TO:

Identify Potential Partners and strengthen existing relationships

Market Your Brand and generate new business leads

Meet Key Stakeholders from the continent’s travel and tourism industry

Discover Innovative Models transforming African tourism

Take Part in Discussions focused on Africa’s tourism market development

Explore Opportunities for investment along the tourism and hospitality value chain

Experience different African destinations and grow your travel services and packages

Engage with government leaders and initiate public-private Partnership discussions

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

Airlines and Logistics Managers

Destination Marketing Professionals

Hotels, Hoteliers and Lodging Establishment Officers

Infrastructure Company Representatives

Investors and Financiers

Marketers and Trend/Research Specialist

National, Regional & City Tourist Officers

Students & Young Professionals

Tour Operators and Travel Agents

Travel Technology Specialists

Travel

​Airlines - Africa Travel Association have partnered with a number of airlines to provide discounted travel to Kigali.

Airfare discounts can be found here: http://conference.africatravelassociation.org/airline-partners.html

Hotels - Please visit the conference Housing page to view accommodation options and step by step instructions to reserve to make reservations via MegaReservations.

Visa:

Travelers arriving from any of the following countries are allowed into Rwanda without a visa and may stay up to 90 days:
Hong Kong, Philippines, Mauritius, Singapore and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

EAC Partner states citizens’ shall be issued with 6 months visitors pass (renewable) upon arrival with no fee.

Nationals of Australia, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Republic of South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, and United States of America will be issued with entry visa valid for a period up to 30 days and pay for a visa ($30) upon arrival without prior application.

For more information please visit the Rwandan immigration page: http://www.migration.gov.rw/


Vaccines:

There is only one required vaccine for traveling into Rwanda. Please make an appointment with your doctor to obtain a yellow fever vaccine as well as to discuss your options for malaria medications.

You may also wish to check the CDC website for more information: http://www.CDC.go.

Africa Travel Association
A Division of Corporate Council on Africa
Annual World Tourism Conference – Kigali, Rwanda
28-31 August 2017
Agenda
(The agenda below is subject to change.)

MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2017

7:00 am – 5:00 pm | Registration

8:00 am – 5:00 pm | Site Visits

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Professional Development & Capacity Building

2:00pm - 5:00 pm | Special Sessions for Tourism Boards & Authorities

2:45 pm – 4:00 pm | Council of Tourism Ministers (By Invitation Only)

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm | Reception


TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2017

7:30 am – 5:00 pm | Registration/Exhibit hall Open

9:00 am – 9:45 pm | Opening Ceremony

Welcome Remarks

Keynote Address

Plenary: 10:00 am -11:30 am | Unlocking Africa’s Tourism Potential
What are the challenges and opportunities to unlocking the sector’s economic potential across different regions on the continent?

11:30 am -11:45 am | Coffee Break

Breakout: 11:45 am -1:00 pm | The Evolution of Online Travel
In today’s globally digital world, how do companies and countries put themselves on the online map?
How is online booking changing tourism and trends in the region? How can companies adapt and
take advantage of the rise in online booking, mobile payments etc.?

Breakout: 11:45 am -1:00 pm | Financing Tourism Development
Countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and Morocco have experienced continued economic growth, creating demand from institutional investors as well as major tourism and hospitality brands that see expansion into the region as a source of future growth. This panel will examine how countries are positioning themselves to attract private sector investment in the tourism sector; what alternative sources of funding are available for private sector investors; and how companies and governments can harness funding for human resource development, transportation infrastructure, real estate development and more.

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch

Plenary 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm | On Location! Africa in the Movies
Discussion with movie production professionals around selecting movie locations in Africa; experiences and challenges; what countries need to do to package/position themselves for location consideration.

Breakout: 3:20 pm – 4:35 pm | The Business of Conservation
As demand for new and sustainable tourism investment continues to rise, there is also increasing awareness of the need to conserve the natural, social and cultural assets of destinations. A healthy environment upholds the competitive advantage of a destination. Panelists will examine opportunities in conservation investment and how principles of sustainable investment are being applied across capital markets. (Safaris, eco-tourism, biodiversity).

Breakout: 3:20 pm – 4:35 pm | Safety and Risk Management in Tourism
What are African governments’ approach to raising security measures to increase tourism? How do companies protect their guests and the industry from safety threats? How do they protect customers, staff, reputation and assets? How do destinations and companies manage this risk to their brand and reputation?

Private Roundtable: 3:20 pm – 4:35 pm | (Tourism Boards)

Roundtable: 4:50 pm – 5:50 pm | Spotlight on East Africa


WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2017

7:30 am – 5:00 pm | Registration/Exhibit hall Open

8:00 am – 9:00 am | Annual ATA Membership Meeting

Plenary: 9:00 am – 10:30 am | Connecting the Continent: The Infrastructure of Tourism
What significant investments are being made in logistics, transportation and real estate? On the government side, what policies (open skies, visa) are being made to support private sector efforts and tourism infrastructure development?

Special Presentation: 10:30 am - 10:40 am

10:40 am – 11:00 am | Coffee Break

Breakout: 11:00 am – 12:15 pm | The Business Traveler
Business travel spending is expected to grow by 2.1% in 2016 to USD$12.6 billion, and rise by 3.6% to USD $18 billion in 2026. Business tourists are less cost-sensitive than leisure tourists, spending on average twice as much per day. Their purchase decisions are influenced primarily by their ability to use time efficiently within business travel schedules. How can destinations attract business travelers? What are the competitive trends and how can countries meet business travelers’ needs for both efficiency and relaxation?

Breakout: 11:00 am – 12:15 pm | Bridging the Hospitality Skills Gap
Tourism and hospitality education is key in fueling the growth of the Tourism sector in Africa. Currently, the sector faces a major skills gap in business management and operations and customer service. How are schools partnering with the private sector to ensure a well-trained hospitality workforce? How are some major players in the industry utilizing in-house training to bridge the gap? How can African governments create an enabling environment for strengthening the workforce in the tourism industry by setting high standards for the industry?

Special Presentation: 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch

Breakout: 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm | Education: A Sizeable Market for Tourism
Educational tourism is one of the fastest growing areas of the travel and tourism and one that is too often overlooked by tourism professionals and marketers is “educational tourism.” Often educational tourism is called by other names, such as career enhancement, studying abroad, job development or self-actualization experiences. In India, education tourism accounts for 1/3 of its total revenue. How are African countries and universities positioning themselves to attract consumers in higher education?

Breakout: 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm | Lifestyle Tourism: Leveraging Africa’s Diversity
Outside of traditional tour packages, what can countries offer to increase traffic? How can African destinations attract music festivals, culinary festivals, fashion events and Diaspora travel?

Roundtable: 3:30pm – 4:45 pm | Spotlight on Southern Africa

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Seated Dinner


THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2017

7:30 am – 5:00 pm | Registration/Exhibit hall Open

Plenary: 9:00 am – 10:30 am | Marketing Africa
Panelists will share best practices on how to sell Africa to foreign markets. What are the mechanisms needed to increase tourism in various regions on the continent? How do you fund such efforts? Plenary will include new media voices including digital influencers.

10:30 am – 11:00 am | Coffee Break

Breakout: 11:00 am – 12:15 pm | Business Models Transforming the Tourism Industry
How are companies and entrepreneur’s new business models shaping the future of tourism on the continent and worldwide?

Roundtable: 11:00 am – 12:15 pm | Spotlight on North Africa

Closing Luncheon: 12:15 pm – 2:00 pm | Destination Rwanda
Facilitated by: Rwanda Development Board

Closing Remarks