11th Annual Presidential Forum on Africa Tourism: Driving Africa Tourism Growth Through Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Technology
Images from the event.
Event Overview:
New York University Africa House in collaboration with the Africa Travel Association, a division of the Corporate Council on Africa, held the 11th Annual Presidential Forum on Africa Tourism on Monday, September 19, 2016, on the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly meetings. This year’s forum, entitled “Driving Africa Tourism Growth Through Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Technology,” featured a keynote address by H.E. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission. This high-profile event brings together tourism leaders from across Africa to spotlight the critical role tourism plays in driving socio-economic growth and development. Over two hundred people, including travel and tourism professionals, airline and hotel representatives, diplomatic representatives, African Diaspora leaders, media, faculty, and students attended.
We launched the Presidential Forum in 2006. Since then, more than 20 African countries and representatives from the African Development Bank, United Nations World Tourism Organization, World Travel and Tourism Council, and the World Bank have participated in the event. We have been honored to welcome His Excellency Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda.
Event Program:
9:00 - 10:00 AM: Registration, VIP Reception
10:00 - 10:30 AM: Welcome remarks by hosts
Professor Yaw Nyarko, Director of Africa House;
Mr. Edward Bergman, Advisory Board Member of NYU Africa House;
Mr. Stephen Hayes, President and CEO, Corporate Council on Africa and Africa Travel Association; and
Mr. Francis Gatare, CEO, Rwanda Development Board
10:30 - 10:50 AM: African Union Keynote Address by H.E. Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission
10:50 - 12:00 PM: Open Forum on Africa Tourism Ministerial Roundtable
Theme: “Driving Africa Tourism Growth Through Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Technology”
Introduction: Professor Yaw Nyarko, Director of Africa House
Moderator: Dr. Kristin M. Lamoureux, Associate Dean and Clinical Associate Professor NYU School of Professional Studies Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism
Panelists:
Hon. Vincent Biruta, Minister of Environment and Forestry, Republic of Rwanda
Hon. Nina Walet Intalou, Minister of Handicrafts and Tourism, Republic of Mali
Hon. Walter Mzembi, Minister of Tourism, Republic of Zimbabwe; Chairperson of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Commission for Africa (UNWTO) (CAF)
Hon. Tommy Nambahu, Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism, Republic of Namibia
Hon. Sidi Yahya Tunis, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Republic of Sierra Leone
12:00 - 12:05 PM: Closing Remarks and Invitation to Afternoon Sessions by Professor Yaw Nyarko, Director of Africa House
12:05 - 12:50 PM: Networking Reception
1:00 - 2:30 PM: Panel: Music and Tourism in Africa
Moderator: Professor Carlos Chirinos, Director of the NYU Music and Social Change Lab and Professor of Music Business, NYU Steinhardt
Panelists:
Hon. Nina Walet Intalou, Minister of Handicrafts and Tourism, Republic of Mali
Mr. Manny Ansar, Director, Festival in the Desert, Mali
Mr. Mina Girgis, Producer and CEO, The Nile Project
Ms. Ngozi Odita, Founder and Executive Director, AFRIKA21, Social Media Week Lagos
Ms. Jordana Phokompe, Director, David Rubenstein Atrium, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
2:30 - 2:45 PM Afternoon Coffee Break
2:45 - 4:00 PM Panel: Entrepreneur Spotlight
Moderator: Mr. Mike Muse, My Brothers Keeper Millennial Entrepreneurial Champion/Founders of Muse Recordings
Panelists:
Mr. Jide Ehimika, Director of Strategy, Noirbnb
Ms. Cherae Robinson, Founder & CEO, Tastemakers Africa