Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, hosts the inaugural African Tourism Forum (ATF24Egypt), a landmark gathering of tourism leaders from 35 countries. Jointly organized by Rixos Group and GMT, the event unites ministers, officials, investors, and 2,000 professionals to foster collaboration, drive investment, and empower young Africans in the tourism sector.
This pioneering forum, a first for Africa, seeks to unite African nations in boosting tourism collaboration, attracting international investment, and generating new employment opportunities for young Africans. The high-profile opening ceremony welcomed an esteemed panel of dignitaries, including Dr. Ahmed Issa, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities; Major General Khaled Fouda, Governor of South Sinai; Fettah Tamince, Founder and Chairman of Rixos Hotels; Nasser Abdel Latif, Owner of Rixos Egypt; Selcuk Meral, Director of GMT; and Dr. Yousry El Sharkawy, Chairman of the African-Egyptian Businessmen Association, setting the stage for a groundbreaking event.
Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, delivered a keynote address at the forum, stressing the need for harmonized policies to unlock the full potential of intra-African tourism. He hailed the event as a vital platform for tourism stakeholders to converge, showcase Africa’s unique attractions, and foster collaborative growth. Minister Issa noted that the continent’s tourism sector is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, with inbound tourism levels rebounding to 96% of pre-pandemic figures, according to the World Tourism Organization. He cited the organization’s report, which dubbed Africa the fastest-growing tourism region in 2023, as a source of pride and motivation to further strengthen joint African efforts and chart a forward-thinking roadmap for the industry’s continued success.
Governor Khaled Fouda gave a call to action for leaders to work together to harness the continent’s vast tourism potential. Dr. Yousry El-Sharkawy and Fettah Tamince echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for cooperation and investment to drive sustainable development. The forum brought together over 2,000 attendees from 30+ countries for sessions on luxury branding, sustainable tourism, and digital marketing, as well as workshops on successful tourism projects and customer service. This historic gathering aimed to chart a new course for Africa’s tourism industry and unlock its full economic potential.
