Africa’s Eden, the gateway to the tourism network of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, will host its inaugural virtual summit from June 18 until July 2, aimed at shaping the future of tourism in southern Africa.

This exclusive gathering will bring together thought leaders and innovators from the global tourism industry to exchange insights and foster collaboration.

The summit is dedicated to showcasing best practices, addressing regional challenges, and seeking actionable solutions to ignite positive change in the tourism industry, benefiting both the region and the global sustainable tourism landscape.

There will be 300 high-level attendees, 25 internationally renowned speakers, and 415 Africa’s Eden members exhibiting.

"I am excited and proud to launch the inaugural Africa's Eden Summit, a platform designed to spotlight the countries of Africa’s Eden within the global tourism dialogue. As a virtual convening, this summit uniquely prioritises our region, ensuring that the voices and perspectives of southern Africa are not just included, but are a focal point,” Africa’s Eden CEO, Jillian Blackbeard, told Tourism Update.

Blackbeard added that the event was not merely about participation – it's about leading the conversation on sustainable tourism and setting a precedent for meaningful regional engagement.

The virtual summit will be conducted in four sessions as follows:

Session One on June 18 from 14h00-16h00 CAT

• Sparklet Talk: ‘Stop Greenwashing and Get on with Real Sustainability’. This talk by Olivia Ruggles-Brise from BDC Travel will illuminate pathways to embrace genuine sustainability.
• Panel Discussion: ‘Leading by Our Tourists’ Demands – What do we need to do?’. Caroline Moultrie, President, EMEA of MMGY Global, Debbie Flynn, Managing Partner, Global Travel Practice Leader at Finn Partners, and others, will discuss how to shape the future of Africa’s Eden tourism by responding to the evolving needs and expectations of travellers, encompassing aspects such as improved accessibility, innovative aviation solutions, diverse product offerings, and fostering a fresh and positive narrative for the continent.

Session Two on June 20 from 14h00-15.00 CAT

• Keynote: ‘Driving Threefold Tourism Innovation’. In this talk, Nick Hall, Founder and CEO of the Digital Tourism Think Tank, will explore how digital is driving innovation from three transformative perspectives, considering AI – Augmented Reality, XR – Mixed Reality, and VX – a digital look at the Visitor Experience.

Session Three on June 25 from 14h00-16h00 CAT

• Sparklet Talk: ‘Building a Destination – the WESGRO experience’. This talk will be led by Monika Iuel, Chief Marketing Officer at Wesgro.
• Panel Discussion: ‘Enabling New Tourism Investment and Keeping Existing Investors: Building an Efficient Internal Environment’. Tim Harris, former Interim Chair of the SA Tourism Board, Rodney Sikumba, Zambian Minister of Tourism, Colin Bell, Co-founder of Natural Selection, and other panellists will explore the crucial elements required to foster a conducive environment for tourism businesses to thrive, including the need for national policies that recognise the economic value of tourism, streamlined bureaucratic systems, and the support of non-tourism structures towards ensuring safety and security for both investors and tourists.
• Sparklet Talk: ‘Unpacking WTTC African Report 2024’. Lethabo-Thabo Royds, Head of Content & Programme at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), will provide an overview of what the WTTC is doing for South Africa, including a forward-looking view that extends further into southern Africa.

Session Four on July 2 from 14h00-16h00 CAT

• Panel Discussion: ‘Creating Value and Preserving the World’s Largest Free-Roaming Wildlife Estate’. Dave Wilson, Head of Commercial Development at African Parks, Kaddu Sebunya, CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation, and other leaders will explore how sustainability transcends traditional conservation efforts, and focus on the holistic wellbeing and prosperity of wildlife and local communities, delving into the ways the tourism ecosystem can play a pivotal role in achieving this vision.
• Panel Discussion: ‘Fostering Growth and Diversity: Supporting Local Tourism Companies’. Naledi Khabo, CEO of the Africa Tourism Association, Judy Kepher-Gona, Founder & Lead Consultant at Sustainable Travel & Tourism Africa, and other experts will emphasise the importance of empowering local tourism businesses, as today’s travellers seek authentic experiences, a ‘travel-like-a-local’ approach, and a desire for more than just traditional wildlife safaris. The panel discussion will also touch on how small businesses can complement rather than compete with Africa’s Eden’s established products.

Interested participants can click here to register. Registration is free.