Botswana has been confirmed as the host of the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum for the next two years after successfully hosting this year’s event.
The South African country which is widely known for its rich culture, numerous and impressive tourism destinations, and its trademark Kalahari Desert, will host the event for two more years.
They won the bid after the organizers, Africa Tourism Partners, and attendees of this year’s event were satisfied with the country’s commitment to the success of the 5th edition.
This was announced at the Africa Tourism Leadership Awards night on Wednesday, October 27, 2022, in Gaborone, Botswana.
“There’s something that ATLF does [that takes people by surprise]. I didn’t expect this,” Botswana’s Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Hon. Philda Kereng, remarked after receiving the special recognition award for her role in this year’s Africa Tourism Leadership Forum.
“It is my honor to dedicate this recognition to the President of this country, the government and cabinet, parliament, and government leadership.
When we work through policy decisions, initiate new ways of doing business, argue, lobby, advocate and try our ministry officials to take on what we decide at cabinet meetings, I must tell you it’s not an easy process. Getting through the policies and getting parliamentary approval is not an easy process,” she noted.
CONFIRMED: Botswana to host Africa Tourism Leadership Forum for the next two years.@ATL_Forum #ATLF2022 #ATLFAwards2022 #AfricaConnectsInBotswana
— David Mawuli (@DavidMawuli) October 26, 2022
“It takes you as a leader and me thinking about the tour operator, tourists, the community, the unemployed young person, and all of you who are also passionate like me [to achieve this]. I’d say, I’ll be patient and I’ll be pushing a lot of policies through legislation and get support from the leadership because of my passion, zeal, and eye for the future. It is all for us and it’s for us all.”
She thanked the organizers for the recognition: “Thank you so much for showing appreciation to the government and agreeing with us that we can work with the private sector to drive tourism and economic growth.”
The CEO of Africa Tourism Partner, Kwakye Donkor disclosed that Botswana has, so far, been the best host as far as the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum & Awards is concerned.
“A destination winning a bid to host this event is one thing, but the hard work starts when the institution who is championing gets the approval and permissions,” he explained.
“We know that post-Covid, things are very tough everywhere and one individual has made sure that working with her subordinates, this event has become, based on our measurements, the best ATLF so far,” he disclosed.
The official dates and activities schedule for next year’s Africa Tourism Leadership Forum & Awards is yet to be announced by the organizers.
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