…As organisers unveil top 20 finalists
Excitement is building in Johannesburg as the city gears up to welcome international delegates for the highly anticipated 7th edition of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge (www.youthtourismsummit.com). Organisers and host partners are thrilled to announce an impressive lineup of global industry thought leaders who will be sharing their insights at the transformative event from June 24-27, 2025 at the Midrand Conference Centre for an unforgettable experience.
The Summit, organised by Africa Tourism Partners in collaboration with UN Tourism, AfCFTA, and BDO, serves as a cornerstone for innovation and inspiration in the tourism sector. It will be hosted by South African Tourism, with essential partners across the nation. Notable strategic partners include; Namibia Tourism Board, Mercure Hotel Midrand, Reserved Suites, and Inani Hotel, with Kenya Airways as the official airline partner.
Distinguished speakers for this year include: Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Tourism Secretary General; Elcia Grandcourt, UN Tourism Director, Africa Department; Natalia Bayona,
UN Tourism Executive Director; Siyabonga Mthethwa, chief strategy officer, South African Tourism; Bheki Dube, founder, Curiosity; Ross Volk, managing director, MSC Cruises, Southern Africa; Albertus Aochamub, France & Spain, Permanent Delegate of Namibia to UNESCO and UN Tourism; Connie-Marlene Theyse, head of enterprise banking, FNB, Namibia; York Zucchi, founder, Startup Tribe, Italy, Mahider Tadesse, founder, Hallpax, USA & Ethiopia; Zainab Muntari, CEO, Sixth African Region Initiatives, Ghana; Kobby Mensah, FTDC, Ghana, among others.
In the same vein, the organisers have released the list the Top 20 Finalists for AYTIS 2025.
The finalists are exceptional young talents whose innovative projects stood out amongst a highly competitive pool of applicants.
They embody the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that AYTIS champions and are set to showcase their solutions at the AYTIS 2025 Summit in Johannesburg.
The finalists are: Bris Agro Safaris (U) Limited – Brenda Kakungulu Asasira, Uganda; Eco-Tourism Ventures – Neerali Solanki, Tanzania; Lowapi Drone Light Shows – Mmoloki Pitse, Botswana; Sea Pirate Tours – Chandraveer Lutchmun, Mauritius; Dosy Bikes – Nouran Farouk, Egypt; Beauriful Zambia – Edgar Mwila, Zambia; Mindsinaction STEAM CENTRE PTY LTD – Ndaudika Mulundileni, Namibia and Ubuntu Aquatics CC – Octavius Maketo, Namibia.
Others include: Nation Excellency LLC – Apollinaire Junior Mabiala, Congo (Brazzaville); Ugrr.net – Chukwudi Dike, Nigeria; Trvelr – Balmun Daniel, Nigeria; CHUNZI Technologies – Bruno Komurubga, Uganda; Pride Plains – Mokenti Samuel, Botswana; Travel Buddies Zambia, Busiku Cheelo, Zambia; Exploradio Audio Guide Namibia; Mobile App – Andreas Leonard, Namibia; Eastville Chemakuti Sustainable Ecotourism Travels – Leon Chaperuka, Zimbabwe; Terrah Origin – Abdulhamid Idris, Nigeria; Maboneng Township Arts Experience – Siphiwe Ngwenya, South Africa; Eco Tourism Digital Passport – Lillian Mumbi, Zambia and EcoYouth Travel Burundi (EYTB) – Methode Minani, Burundi.
Meanwhile, the top 20 finalists are currently going through a boot camp, with the assistance of their mentors. This stage enables the innovators to fine tune their projects, ahead of the 2025 Pitch Battle – Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge Demos & Lab scheduled for June 24, 2025.
Participants will immerse themselves in the youth and entrepreneurs MICE Masterclasses B2B sessions, speed marketing, one-on-one meetings, career guidance clinic and brand activation and many more activities lined up for this year’s Summit. The programme has a mix of both industry leaders and entry level youth to balance the discussions as Africa seeks to bring actionable solutions to the challenges faced in the Tourism industry at all levels.
An overwhelming number of registrations from interested participants have been received across the globe and pre-accreditation has commenced for the participants who have confirmed attendance both physically and virtually, while a few exhibition spots are still available for grabs.
