Kenyan capital city Nairobi will host the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge (AYTIS) for the next three years starting 2025 to 2027. African tourism players are intent on elevating tourism in Africa through innovation and entrepreneurship.
With the next three years of AYTIS editions in Kenya, Nairobi rightfully claims its place as a continental tourism hub.
What is Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge?
Abbreviated as AYTIS, this youth innovation summit focusing on African tourism is dedicated to uplifting and promoting tourism innovativeness in Africa. The event gives a platform to like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators. They exchange ideas, collaborate on projects and jointly seek solutions to existing challenges that lock them out of opportunities in continental tourism.
There are workshops and trainings for participants where they learn from skilled professionals in the sector. Young and innovative entrepreneurs showcase their ingenious tourism products and technology aimed at promoting sustainable tourism. Ideally, the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge is a platform for:
- Networking
- Brainstorming
- Collaborating
- Unlocking new opportunities in the tourism sector
Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge 2024. Photo/AYTIS
Who Founded AYTIS?
Industry leaders Håvar Bauck and Barry Clemens who founded Tourism Events Advisory and Management Services Africa (TEAMS Africa) will host AYTIS from 2025. Bauck in a statement said that the summit is geared towards growing African tourism which will open more job opportunities.
“Tourism has the potential to be a leading driver of economic growth and job creation in Africa for decades to come. Our goal is to showcase and uplift the innovators that are building tomorrow’s travel industry and can transform tourism in Africa,” stated Bauck.
He further averred that supporting innovation by young entrepreneurs is a step towards rewriting African tourism narrative. Bauck insists that technological advancement is a part of this conversation which shows the African travel charm beyond beaches and wildlife.
“By empowering young entrepreneurs and embracing innovation, we can reshape the narrative of African tourism. It is crucial for African destinations to build a tourism narrative that goes beyond wildlife and beaches, highlighting the continent’s rich cultural heritage, dynamic cities, and diverse experiences.
We also need to reach beyond traditional tourism source markets and segments to attract a new generation of global travellers and position this continent as the world’s fastest-growing tourism region.”
Havar Bauck, a co-founder of Tourism Events Advisory and Management Services Africa (TEAMS Africa) which will be hosting AYTIS for the next three years in Nairobi. Photo/Finding Humans in Tech
Clemens underscored that hosting the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge in Nairobi is a big statement to the continent. He remarked that tourism innovation spurs growth across other sectors of the economy.
“Tourism is far more than hotels, tour operators, and flights—it is a catalyst for transformation across the entire value chain. From technology startups to local artisans, agri-businesses, and environmental conservation initiatives, tourism creates endless opportunities for African entrepreneurs to thrive.
“It is essential we support and nurture the next generation, whose ideas will propel this industry into new and exciting directions, ultimately driving economic growth and inclusive development across the continent,” Clemens noted.
Where Was AYTIS 2024 Held?
Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge 2024 was held in Windhoek, Namibia where 500 delegates attended. At least 300 tourism entrepreneurs attended this year’s summit and networked with different Pan-African industry leaders. Rwanda and South Africa have hosted the Pan-African tourism summit in the past.
Kwakye Donkor, the Chief Executive Officer at Africa Partners Team expressed optimism in TEAMS Africa hosting the summit in Nairobi. Donkor believes that AYTIS is an untapped well with massive potential that can spur Africa’s tourism market to greater heights. The fact that Nairobi holds a record as an African city of innovation presents a great opportunity to further enhance the tourism sector technologically.
“We are delighted to bring AYTIS to Nairobi in partnership with TEAMS Africa. It is a city that mirrors the innovation and dynamism we strive to promote, and this partnership amplifies our shared commitment to youth empowerment and innovation in the tourism sector.
The Africa Tourism Partners CEO is optimistic that supporting young people in tourism to chase their dreams will change the face of Africa’s tourism. Donkor who is a convener of AYTIS hopes that next year’s summit will attract over 800 participants to Nairobi.
