African Tourism Cluster Competitiveness and Sustainability Annual Conference

The African Tourism Cluster Competitiveness and Sustainability Conference

Theme: ‘‘Developing and Strengthening of Tourism and Hospitality Cluster Associations in Africa’’

Background

Tourism is an economic growth engine with particular focus at the regional level, but its national impact is also significant. But, if tourism importance is significant at a national level, at a regional level this sector is presented as an essential tool in regional development and economic growth, believed to be one of the weapons to avoid desertification and economic stagnation, especially in the inner regions. Given the great unanimity that clusters associations increase the competitiveness of a regional industry and given that tourism is a powerful instrument for regional development, it is relevant and crucial to discuss the role of clusters associations in tourism.

The African Tourism Cluster Competitiveness and Sustainability Conference,  is a regional event conceptualized to provide a forum for the Pan-African regulatory authorities, tourism and hospitality private sector players to gather and redefine the concept of Tourism Cluster Associations Development and Strengthening in Africa.

Organized by African Hospitality and Tourism Federation (AHTF), this conference will create the climate for tourism cluster development experts, government leaders, policy makers and leaders of the industry to converge to share knowledge, expertise and experiences in tourism cluster association development and strengthening, to share tourism cluster initiatives and forge partnerships and discuss a wide spectrum of issues and challenges relating to the development and sustainability of tourism cluster associations. The African Tourism Cluster Competitiveness and Sustainability Conference, will also create a platform for networking and opportunities for interactive exchanges of ideas and businesses. Prominent guest speakers from governmental agencies, multilateral hotel chains, development partners and commercial organizations will address on a range of interesting topics with the overall conference theme ‘Developing and Strengthening of Tourism and Hospitality Cluster Associations in Africa’, objectives are:

• To provide a forum for the regulatory authorities, tourism clusters, public and private sector industry players to gather and define the framework for African Tourism Clusters.
• To review and examine performances of the regional industry players and establish strategies in developing and strengthening tourism clusters.
• To discuss on sustainable issues underpinning Tourism Cluster operations, planning and development.
• To share and exchange experiences in successful marketing and branding of tourism and hospitality clusters.
• To create commercial opportunities between tourism cluster associations and industry suppliers in the travel industry and act as a forum for cooperation between members.
• To facilitate the dissemination of information and subsequently opening up new turfs of business opportunities amongst the participants, tourism industry stakeholders and players
• To assess tourism cluster interaction, competitiveness and sustainability impacts on the economy, society and the environment.
• To provide strategic guidance to agents responsible for public sector tourism policies, as well as the strategies for competitiveness, competition, cooperation and sustainability in private companies and institutions.
• To keep tourism cluster associations informed of the latest developments in the issues that affect the industry.
• To incorporate and strengthen Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Tourism and Hospitality.
• To advocate for effective harmonized self regulation and governancein the African tourism and hospitality industry and the need for a sustainable central planning federation of African private sector tourism hospitality industry.
• Highlight the potential role of tourism and hospitality cluster associations in the African tourism market development and regulation.
• To influence African tourism legislation so thattourism cluster associations are supported by their respective governments.

The Conference

Benefits of Attending the African Tourism Cluster Competitiveness and Sustainability Conference;

• Network and exchange of ideas with key regulators and leaders of the industry
• Exchanging ideas on the development and strengthening of sustainable tourism and hospitality clusters association
• Sharing knowledge and experiences on the sustainability of tourism and hospitality clusters
• Explore current and emerging strategic development of tourism and hospitality clusters associations and opportunity in Africa
• Explore new opportunities for business expansion
• Take away practical knowledge about effective marketing and branding strategies
• Participate in supporting industry strategic forums and be informed of the latest developments
• Gain insights into the latest trends and technological application advances impacting tourism and hospitality clusters
• Opportunity to promote your organizations programs to target industry representatives

Who Should Attend?

The Conference is designed for everyone working in the tourism and hospitality industry across Africa and worldwide. This includes owners, Managers and Senior Staff at;

• Hotel Associations
• Restaurant and Lodging Associations
• Travel and Tour Associations
• National Private Sector Bodies
• SMEs Representative Organizations
• Tourist Training Institutions
• Hotels
• Lodges
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Restaurants
• Visitor Attractions
• Tourism and Hospitality SMEs
• Holiday Parks
• Activity Providers
• Event Organizers
• Transport Operators and Associations
• Tourism Associations
• Self Catering Operators
• Destinations Organizations
• Local Authorities
• Suppliers to the tourism and hospitality Industry
• International Development Partners
• Academia of Urban Planning, Economic Development and Tourism
• Airline Operators
• City Advertising Agencies and Hospitality Publishers
• City Hall and Local Council Officials
• City Planners
• Climate Change and Environmental Management Researchers
• Governors and Mayors
• Green Energy Solutions Providers
• Heritage and Parks Operators
• Hotels & Resorts Managers and Operators
• Hotel and Hospitality Management Operators
• Hospitality Schools and institutions
• IT and Network Operators
• Hotel Equipment Suppliers
• Senior Government Tourism Authorities and Officials
• Senior Government Economic, Housing, Industrial and Public Works Officials
• Tour Operators
• Tourism Boards and Agencies
• Waste Management Operators
• International Development Banks
• Non Government Organizations
• Embassies’ Technical Offices

Potential Sponsors and Partners

·         UN Tourism and Program Agencies (e.g UNWTO, UNIDO – Cluster Dept, UNCTAD, UNEP,

      UN-Energy, IFC, ILO, UNCCN-Climate, etc)

·         Tourism Industry Suppliers

·         Hotel Equipment Suppliers

·         Environmental Organizations

·         Clean-Tech Organizations and Companies

·         Energy and Electrical Companies

·         Wildlife Conservation Organizations

·         Hotel Chains Companies

·         Multilateral Consumer Products Manufacturers

·         Development Partners

·         Embassies

·         National Tourism Boards and Associations

·         National and Bilateral Business Councils

·         Airlines Companies

·         Tour and Travel Companies (International and Regional)

·         Car Hire Companies

·         Investment Companies

·         Private Sector Bodies and Federations

·         SMEs and Enterprise Development Organizations

·         Vehicle Companies

·         International Hospitality Training Institutions

·         Hotel Accessories Companies

·         Constructions Companies

·         Financial Services Companies and Banks

·         International Equity Investment Financiers and Companies

·         Consultancy Companies

·         Media, Magazines and Publishing Companies

·         Marketing Companies

·         etc