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In execution of tangible and targeted initiatives, Namibia, through the Ministry of environment, forestry and tourism, successfully bid to host and convene A PAN AFRICAN YOUTH IN TOURISM INNOVATION CHALLENGE & SUMMIT for 2022, 2023 and 2024 Association with UNWTO and African Tourism Partners. The Summit serves as an exclusive gathering for innovative Africa youth in travel, tourism and MICE looking for partnership, market access, mentorship, career guidance and development as job creation opportunities for Africa youth in tourism. Similarly, the platform provides an opportunity for the youth to present their projects to the global marketplace in order to find the required technical, funding and mentorship support. The Cabinet (Government of the Republic of Namibia) has approved the hosting of this continental event in Namibia. The ministry hereby seeks strategic partnerships for funding and sustainability of subsequent capacity building interventions to successfully convene, host and undertake this important program. It is for this reason and background that the Ministry is hereto reaching out to private sector and development partners to source financial support to execute this program.

1. Objective & significance of the project The main objective of this project is to (1) implement a national Tourism Recovery Plan and identified youth programmes, and to (2) host A PAN AFRICAN YOUTH IN TOURISM INNOVATION CHALLENGE & SUMMIT for 2022, 2023 and 2024 for an innovative Africa youth in travel, tourism and MICE, looking for market access, mentorship, partnerships, entrepreneurship capacity building and development. The summit provides an opportunity for the innovative youth to present their projects, start-ups to the global marketplace in order to find the required technical, funding and mentorship support.

2. Scale and Content of the Project The implementation of the Tourism Recovery Plan and the subsequent hosting of the Youth Summit will serve as an enabler to revive the sector post Covid-19, create awareness of the required support and build necessary entrepreneurship capacity for youth start-ups to improve business acumen and success rate. 3. Project timeframe & Responsibilities/Roles of Each entity The implementation period of the Tourism Recovery Plan is from April 2022 to March 2025 and the Youth Summit is an annual event from 26 to 29 July 2022 and in July 2023 and 2024, successive years.

4. Conclusion The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism commits to implement funded initiatives timely to growth the sector and build youth tourism entrepreneurship capacity in Namibia.

For more information about the summit and challenge please visit www.youthtourismsummit.com

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Remarks at the First Edition of the Global Youth Tourism Summit

28 Jun 2022

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly

27 June 2022

Mr. Massimo Garavaglia, Honorable Minister of Tourism of Italy,

Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization,

Excellencies,

Dear Young friends,

I congratulate the Government of Italy and the World Tourism Organization for organizing this first Global Youth Tourism Summit.

Tourism is no doubt one of the biggest casualties of the pandemic.

Its collapse led to a significant decline in economies, affecting millions of livelihoods in tourism-dependent countries.

Before the pandemic, the tourism sector contributed 10% of global GDP, 7% of global exports, and accounted for 1 in every 10 jobs worldwide.

Its capacity to attract significant investment, generate jobs, increase exports, and adopt new and emerging technologies makes it an important pillar for economic growth and development.

This is particularly the case for countries in special situations, the LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS. Much of their achievements have been reversed or stalled in the wake of the pandemic. Covid-19’s profound impact on the tourism sector globally accounts for much of these reversals.

My friends,

With the world slowly opening up, we must ensure a sustainable and resilient tourism sector emerges from the rubble of the pandemic.

In line with this, I recently convened, in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization, a High-level Thematic debate which focused on “Putting sustainable and resilient tourism at the heart of an inclusive recovery”.

The event was truly an historic occasion. It was for the first-time that tourism was discussed in the United Nations General Assembly at a high level.

Given the importance of tourism to the global economy, the goal was to advocate for the rebound of the tourism sector in a manner that accelerates sustainable recovery from the pandemic. In ways that are inclusive and enhances the resilience of our economies.

I see the rebound of the tourism sector as a unique opportunity to maximize its contribution towards the realization of many of our international commitments.

This includes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. 

Tourism plays a big role in decarbonization and can help accelerate global transition to low-carbon and circular business solutions.

Solutions such as sustainable energy generation, reduction of transport emissions, and the integration of nature-based solutions into tourism activities and operations.

However, this will only be possible with inclusive and scaled-up investments in tourism. This includes investing in youth in tourism.

With a total of 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, today’s youth make up 16% of the global population. By 2030, this number is projected to have grown by 7 per cent, to nearly 1.3 billion.

Young people can play an important role in the recovery of the tourism sector. They can be agents of change and recovery and can be strong advocates for sustainable tourism.

With the general increase in mobility, where people are able to work remotely, the duration of youth travel has increased. 

Since the young travel for longer periods and are keen to immerse in the ‘local life’, they also tend to spend a greater proportion of their budget in the destination contributing to the livelihoods of local communities.

Young people are also increasingly traveling in search for new experiences, aiming to get the most out of travel. The host countries must understand the rapidly changing needs and desires of young people in order to stimulate them to travel.

Youth are important agents of change. Your creativity and innovation are assets, as we leverage digitalization and data to transform the tourism sector. A  recent survey  revealed that more than 40% of those under 33 consider “Instagrammability” when selecting their next holiday destination. 

Likewise, as staunch advocates of climate and environmental issues, you can make immense contributions on sustainable tourism strategies.

Youth empowerment in tourism is key to a resilient and sustainable recovery of the sector.

Providing career opportunities and entrepreneurship in tourism, and ensuring that youth have a seat at the table, is therefore vital. 

To succeed, we must put in place adequate support mechanisms – including, but not limited to, mentorship, soft skills development, workplace-based vocational experience, and leadership training.

And we must leverage strong global partnerships to fully empower youth in tourism. We must facilitate financial support towards youth-led MSMEs and supplemental services that support the tourism sector.

Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen,

We are at a moment ripe for change and adaptation.

We must seize this moment to build development models that are people-centered, with youth empowerment at the heart of our efforts. This should be the case for tourism as well.

Let us strengthen our partnerships and commitments to make this a reality for our young people.

Thank you for this opportunity and I wish this Summit every success.

I thank you.

United Nations

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PEACE AND INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY CELEBRATED AS GLOBAL YOUTH TOURISM SUMMIT ENDS

The first Global Youth Tourism Summit concluded by showcasing the power of tourism for youth empowerment, international solidarity and peace.

“SORRENTO CALL TO ACTION”: YOUTH TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN TOURISM’S FUTURE

The first Global Youth Tourism Summit concluded with the launch of the Sorrento Call to Action, a bold and ground-breaking vision for young people to be active participants in tourism’s restart and growth as a pillar of sustainable and inclusive development.

DIDIER DROGBA CONNECTS SPORT AND TOURISM IN YOUTH SUMMIT MASTERCLASS

UNWTO Ambassador of Responsible Tourism and footballing legend Didier Drogba helped bring the first Global Youth Tourism Summit to an inspiring close with a special masterclass for more than 120 young delegates from Italy and all over the world.

“BE MESSENGERS OF HOPE”: POPE FRANCIS ADDRESSES GLOBAL YOUTH TOURISM SUMMIT

His Holiness Pope Francis has sent an historic message of support to UNWTO’s first Global Youth Tourism Summit.

UNWTO Gets Set to Host First Global Youth Tourism Summit

The first UNWTO Global Youth Tourism Summit will bring more than 130 young people from 60 countries to Sorrento, Italy, next week, giving them a unique platform to play a leading role in the future of the sector

UNWTO AND ITALY SET THE STAGE FOR GLOBAL YOUTH TOURISM SUMMIT

UNWTO has announced more details of the upcoming Global Youth Tourism Summit, set to be held in Sorrento, Italy, from 27 June to 3 July.

THE 1ST GLOBAL YOUTH TOURISM SUMMIT GETS UNDERWAY

The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Zurab Pololikashvili has joined the Minister of Tourism of Italy Massimo Garavaglia to officially launch the first Global Youth Tourism Summit

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© 2021 Global Youth Tourism Summit

Registration And Entries For The 5th Africa Youth In Tourism Innovation Summit And Challenge 2023 Start On A High Note

Africa Tourism Partners wish all its partners, stakeholders and the entire global travel and tourism community Happy and fulfilling New Year ahead. 

This year’s edition of Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit ( www.youthtourismsummit.com ) is scheduled for 31 May to 2 June 2023 in Namibia. Registration and entries for the Summit as well as Tourism Innovation Challenge 2023 are open. The Innovation Challenge is open to African youth and entrepreneurs below the ages of 35. 

The Innovation Challenge is an exclusive platform being provided to innovative African youth in travel and tourism looking for funding, partnership and mentorship opportunities to present their projects to the global marketplace in order to find the required support for their programmes. Each nomination or entry should clearly indicate project vision, uniqueness, authenticity and rationale. Clarity on evidence of innovation in travel & tourism or related industry challenge being solved in Africa, sustainability of the impact of the project, timelines, the kind of support required are some of the key factors to be included in the entry submission.

The Summit is a continental platform for Youth in Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Aviation, Academia, and all related industries to connect engage, learn and grow. Undoubtedly, it has grown and increased impact and popularity over the past 4 years. This is evidenced by the increasing interest from stakeholders across the globe, number of participants and entries received for the Youth Innovation Challenge each year.

For the year 2023 and to date, registrations have been received from over 22 countries following the announcement and opening of registrations for the Summit and entries for 2023 Innovation Challenge. 

The Challenge has been running from 8th December 2022 and closes on the 28 th of February 2023. Shortlisted project promoters will be informed on 15 March 2023 and top 3 will be announced on 2 June 2023 at the Summit in Namibia. Youth, start-ups and entrepreneurs involved in special travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation technological innovation are encouraged to enter the Challenge early to avoid disappointment. For both registration and challenge entry, kindly visit www.youthtourismsummit.com .

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• Oct 27, 2023

The 6th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge 2024 Launched

Updated: Nov 7, 2023

Johannesburg, Friday 27 October 2025 Africa Tourism Partners is thrilled to announce the launch of the 6th and 2024 Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge https://youthtourismsummit.com/enter-competition/ . A call is therefore being made to all the young people in Africa up to the age of 35 years to enter the Challenge. The portal will be opened to receive entries on the 31st of November 2023 and close the 01st of March 2024.

The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge is an exclusive platform being provided to innovative African youth in travel and tourism looking for funding, partnership and mentorship opportunities to present their projects to the global marketplace in order to find the required support for their projects. This year, 114 entries were received from across Africa. Gloria Kisulu from Kenya emerged the winner of the 2023 Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge, followed by Cornelius Ugwunwa from Nigeria as the first runner-up and South African Ntshabo Lehong as second runner-up.

The winner of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge receives grant seed in cash and in-kind to value of USD USD10 000 with US1000 to USD1500 in cash to support his or her project. The first and second runner up gets USD5000.00 grant seed in cash and in-kind, with USD500 to USD1000 in Cash support their projects. Other benefits include complimentary enrolment for short courses provided by UNWTO, mentorship, partnership, potential funding support and career opportunities as well as opportunity to be part of an established network of Africa Youth in Tourism Mentors and Innovators and enrolment into the Africa Tourism Innovation Hub https://atih.africa/contact-us/

The challenge is a key component of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge and is held annually along with the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit. 2024 Summit will take place from 28 to 31 May, in Windhoek, Namibia. This will be hosted by the government of Namibia through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, which won the bid to host the Summit and the Innovation Challenge for three (3) years from 2022, 2023 and 2024 being the final year for Namibia to host the Summit.

Over 700 physical Pan-African and global youth in tourism, renowned travel and tourism industry thought-leaders, policymakers, investors, the media, women in tourism and key stakeholders are expected to gather in Namibia for the Summit. The four-day program will include entrepreneurship Masterclasses, B2B sessions, exhibition, hosted buyer program, presentations, the Innovation Challenge and many more.

For more information about the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit 2024 and registration, click here To enter the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge, click here or contact Rejoice Chishamba on +27 (0)81 303 7030 or [email protected]

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Young Tourism Network Emerging Tourism Leaders Summit hits Melbourne Showgrounds this June

Published: 3 June 2024

The Young Tourism Network (YTN) is hosting the first ever Emerging Tourism Leaders Summit in Melbourne on Tuesday 18 June. Delegates from across Melbourne and regional Victoria will attend the summit at Melbourne Showgrounds.

YTN fosters the career development and professional excellence of students and young professionals of all ages to grow and strengthen the Victorian tourism industry.

The YTN summit is an opportunity for emerging and established tourism professionals to connect with peers. They’ll learn from experts and help shape the future of this dynamic and ever-adapting industry.

The event will be held at Melbourne Showgrounds on the same day as the Victorian Tourism Industry Council’s (VTIC) Choose Tourism Expo.

The full-day event includes keynote presentations, masterclasses, networking sessions and will cover topics such as leadership and visitor economy trends.

Speakers at the event include Felicia Mariani, CEO at VTIC and Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director from Tourism Australia. Attendees will also hear from Sara Quon from Sovereign Hill Museums Association and demographer Simon Kuestenmacher.

The summit provides a great opportunity for young people to boost their tourism, events and hospitality careers from learning to leading.

On the day, networking opportunities have been set up to help young people connect with other emerging professionals and potential employers. Young people will be able to connect with their peers, learn from experts, and contribute to the future direction of Victoria’s tourism industry.

Afterwards, attendees can let their hair down at the Official Summit After Party and continue their networking.

For more information and to register visit Emerging Tourism Leaders Summit .

We acknowledge the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria, their ongoing connection to this land and we pay our respects to their culture and their Elders past, present and future.

© 2023 Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions

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UNWTO Gets Set to Host First Global Youth Tourism Summit

• All Regions
• 22 Jun 2022

The first UNWTO Global Youth Tourism Summit will bring more than 130 young people from 60 countries to Sorrento, Italy, next week, giving them a unique platform to play a leading role in the future of the sector.

The event, first of its kind, is organized by UNWTO and hosted in Italy in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the National Tourism Agency (ENIT). It will unite global youth aged between 12 and 18 with leaders from across the sector, including politicians and key figures from the worlds of sport, gastronomy, entertainment and innovation. The Summit has received the medal of the President of the Republic of Italy and patronage of the Department of Youth Policies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “The Global Youth Tourism will celebrate and empower the next generation of tourism leaders. It will help build a lasting legacy by providing young people with the skills and knowledge they need to transform tourism not only in their communities but everywhere”.

Due to take place from 27 June to 3 July, the Summit will feature six Masterclasses, alongside two evening talks, as well as a simulation of the UNWTO General Assembly and interactive sessions where participants will be able to engage directly with UN and with Ministers of Tourism and other high level officials from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Croatia, Germany, Georgia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Spain, Montenegro, Sao Tome & Principe, Yemen and many other UNWTO Member States.

It will help build a lasting legacy by providing young people with the skills and knowledge they need to transform tourism not only in their communities but everywhere

The Italian Minister of Tourism, Massimo Garavaglia, adds: “The Italian government is proud to host the first World Youth Tourism Congress in Sorrento. We are confident that ideas and proposals will emerge that can advise governments on how to improve the global tourism offer and make it closer to the needs of new tourists”.

Alessandra Priante, UNWTO Director for Europe, added: "Tourism gives opportunities to young people. But young people give tourism the opportunity to become stronger and more resilient. We are extremely proud of the first generation of GYTS-ers, who are already showing their promise and commitment to transform tourism, starting from their local communities".

Roberta Garibaldi, CEO of ENIT, pointed out: “The synergy that can be created in the exchange among the under-19 generation and organizations on a level playing field cannot be anything but good for tourism, to look to the future with new eyes and forward-thinking ideas. We are even more excited than the young people we will be meeting”.

Sustainability, rural development, gastronomy and innovation

The Summit will focus on some of the key challenges and opportunities facing global tourism right now, with an emphasis on the sector’s role in achieving the UN 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This will include an in-depth look at biodiversity, to be organized in collaboration with Marevivo and the MSC Foundation. Participants will take an excursion to the Marine Protected Area of Punta Campanella, to see first-hand how tourism is helping protect coastal areas and biodiversity. This will be complemented by a deeper study of the techniques of the sea and navigation, with the MSC Foundation providing an overview of the important role of the cruise industry for local and national economies.

Reflecting UNWTO’s wider focus on innovation and the digital transformation of tourism, the Summit will also feature a special session focused on online security, organized in collaboration with fellow UN agency the ITU (International Telecommunication Union), as well as a talk on virtual tourism and the Metaverse, organized in partnership with Meta. Alongside this, the World Food Forum (facilitated by the UN’s agricultural organization, FAO) will host a debate on solutions to reduce food waste in tourism.

Among the international speakers due to take part in the GYTS are UN Youth Envoy Jayathma Wickramanayake, as well as UNWTO Ambassadors of Responsible Tourism Valeria Mazza, Didier Drogba, Gino Sorbillo, Pilar Rodriguez. Representing the private sector will be leading figures from Mastercard and the Hilton Group, sponsors of the event. Addressing participants virtually will be His Holiness Pope Francis, Sophia Loren, Eliza Jane Reid (First Lady of Iceland and UNWTO Ambassador), Diego Simeone, Fernando Hierro, the FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid and European Commissioner, Mariya Gabriel responsible for youth. Also joining virtually will be UNWTO Ambassador and entrepreneur Pansy Ho, who will share her personal experience in the world of travel and tourism and to discuss why innovation is a key part of the sustainable future of tourism.

Young people showing promise

Remarking the role of GYTS as a UNWTO permanent platform for youth and tourism, in the build-up to Sorrento, the participating youth were prepared through webinars that allowed them to explore, together with global influencers and leading experts, the principles of sustainability, tourism and multilateralism.

UNWTO expresses its deepest appreciation to the numerous sponsors and partners who make the event possible: Comune di Sorrento, Regione Campania, Mastercard, Qatar Foundation, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, Aeroporti di Roma, Bella Vista Institute of Higher Education, Azerbaijan Tourism Board PLE, AirEuropa, and Ferrero.

Related Links:

• Global Youth Tourism Summit (GYTS)
• Download the Press Release in PDF

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14th u.s.-china tourism leadership summit paves way for increased travel.

XI'AN, China , May 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Brand USA , the destination marketing organization for the United States , joined by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China , hosted the 14th U.S.–China Tourism Leadership Summit in Xi'an, China , from May 21-23, 2024 . The event brought together government and travel industry leaders from the United States and China to foster the return of Chinese visitors to the United States .

Brand USA President and CEO Chris Thompson highlighted the significance of the return of Chinese travelers for the U.S. tourism economy, "The return of Chinese visitors is critical for the U.S. tourism industry and essential for the full recovery of our economy. The 14th U.S.–China Tourism Leadership Summit plays a crucial role in revitalizing this vital market segment."

"Travel and tourism supports 9.5 million American jobs," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis Grant T. Harris. "The U.S.-China Tourism Leadership Summit provided an important opportunity to further the Department of Commerce's mission to enhance the international competitiveness of the U.S. travel and tourism industry. Through our participation, we hope to see more Chinese visitors experience the United States , which will support jobs and economic growth in communities across the country."

The summit laid the groundwork for enhanced relations between the United States and China within the travel industry, encouraging collaboration among key stakeholders and charting a path forward for the future of tourism between the world's two largest economies. This three-day event, occurring for the first time since 2019, facilitated deeper insights into conducting business within the Chinese tourism market while providing opportunities for forging new connections with influential decision-makers.

The U.S. delegation was led by U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis Grant Harris along with Brand USA's President and CEO Chris Thompson . The 75-person contingent also included high-level leaders from across the U.S. government as well as prominent tourism organizations from across the USA . The delegation included representation from the following organizations: Destination DC, Destination Niagara USA , Discover Puerto Rico, Guam Visitors Bureau, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hilton Worldwide, International Inbound Travel Association, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Marriott International, Mastercard, New York City Tourism + Conventions, San Francisco Travel Association, Travel Oregon, Travel South USA, U.S. Travel Association, Visa, Visit California, Visit San Diego, and Visit Seattle.

"The 14th U.S.—China Tourism Leadership Summit marked a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen the tourism bridge between our two nations. The insights and collaborations developed during this event were essential for fostering mutual understanding and economic growth. It is great to have restarted the summit and be back in this market after six years as we reunite with our colleagues from the Chinese government and travel industry," said Todd Davidson , President and CEO of Travel Oregon and chair of the Brand USA board of directors.

The Chinese delegation was led by State Councilor Yiquin Shen, Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism, Sun Yeli , and Shaanxi Party Secretary, Zhao Yide.

On May 21 , Brand USA organized a market immersion day to orient U.S. travel industry leaders on China's business environment and macroeconomic outlook, consumer insights, trends in travel and media, and federal policy updates. This education session also brought the delegation together with the founders and leaders of many of the primary Chinese travel and social media channels.

The joint Plenary Day on May 22 began with an opening ceremony featuring speeches from Sun Yeli , Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China (PRC), and Grant Harris , Assistant Secretary for Industry & Analysis, who also read congratulatory letters from PRC President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joseph R. Biden . Keynote speeches from industry leaders Chris Nassetta , President & CEO of Hilton Worldwide, and Chris Clark , Chairman for Asia Pacific at Visa Inc., set the stage for bilateral panel discussions on the future of tourism between China and the United States . More than 25 memoranda of understanding to deepen cooperation and increase travel flows were signed between U.S. and Chinese corporate and destination marketing entities.

The Chinese tourism market is significant for the global travel industry. Prior to the pandemic, China was a top-five market for visitors to the United States and the top source of international traveler spending. In 2019, nearly 80 million visitors to the U.S. spent about $235 billion , with 3 million Chinese visitors contributing $35 billion . These export revenues create quality U.S. jobs, support public services, and contribute to a positive balance of trade.

There are promising signs of recovery for Chinese visitation to the United States . Weekly flights from China are forecast to increase to 140 by the end of the year, compared to 65 in January 2024 . To capitalize on this lucrative market and build the long-term future of the international visitor economy, this month Brand USA launched a high-profile consumer marketing campaign called "Experience It All", showcasing the diverse attractions and experiences the USA offers Chinese travelers. The campaign will run during peak travel planning months for Chinese travelers and will be on a variety of trip planning, social media, and online travel agency platforms including Xiaohongshu [RED], Ctrip, Fliggy, Douyin, and a mini-program on WeChat.

About the 14 th U.S.–China Tourism Leadership Summit The 14 th U.S.–China Tourism Leadership Summit reunites government and travel industry leaders from the United States and China . The summit provides a platform for participants to develop and strengthen relationships, discuss key issues and best practices, and ultimately drive more travel between the United States and China . The summit will set the stage for the future of relations between the United States and China in the travel industry. Jointly produced by Brand USA and China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, summit locations alternate each year between China and the United States .

About Brand USA Brand USA , the destination marketing organization for the United States , was established by the Travel Promotion Act as the nation's first public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and to communicate U.S. travel policies and procedures to worldwide travelers. The organization's mission is to increase international visitation to the United States in order to fuel the U.S. economy and enhance the image of the United States worldwide. Formed as the Corporation for Travel Promotion in 2010, the public-private entity began operations in May 2011 and does business as Brand USA . According to studies by Oxford Economics, over the past ten years Brand USA's marketing initiatives have helped welcome 8 million incremental visitors to the United States , benefiting the U.S. economy with more than $58 billion in total economic impact and supporting, on average, more than 37,000 incremental jobs a year.

For industry or partner information about Brand USA , visit  TheBrandUSA.com  or follow us on  Facebook ,  LinkedIn , and  X/Twitter . To discover more about the USA and the boundless diversity of American travel experiences and authentic, rich culture, please visit Brand USA's consumer website  VisitTheUSA.com ; follow Visit The USA on  Facebook ,  TikTok , and  Instagram ; and watch travel shows on  GoUSATV .

View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/14th-uschina-tourism-leadership-summit-paves-way-for-increased-travel-302153229.html

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Who is the Africa Youth In Tourism Summit & Innovation Challenge for?

It is no secret that Africa holds the highest unemployment rate in the world, however entrepreneurship is the most efficient tool to combat youth unemployment in the continent and that’s who The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit (AYTIS) & Challenge is targeting .

The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit (AYTIS) & Challenge is hosted by Africa Tourism Partners in collaboration the UNWTO (World Tourism Organisation) and BDO (Binder Dijker Otte). It is the “one and only” pan-African Youth and start-ups in Tourism Summit and innovation challenge in tourism on the continent. It seeks to unite all the relevant international stakeholders to create a more conducive business environment and to enable the youth to take advantage of all the opportunities in the business sector.

The Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit & Innovation Challenge is the most anticipated event of the year. This particular event is specifically designed for the under dogs in the entrepreneurial space; the undiscovered leaders in innovation and youth that seek to enhance their business development skills and ultimately create more income. The Summit is a platform that calls for youth running innovative and solution-driven projects that go beyond technology but are related to the travel and tourism industry to submit their projects for review and adjudication by an expert panel of judges.

This year’s Summit will include desktop exhibition focused on highlighting youth empowerment initiatives, SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) trade offerings including tour operators, tourism accommodation facilities, transport service providers, educational institutions, travel and marketing technology start-ups and incubators, employment agencies, professional development and more.

This competition invites and welcomes innovative ideas and solutions that goes beyond technology but are travel, tourism and MICE industry-related projects for review and adjudication by a preeminent panel of industry leaders. Through the summit and other media platforms, the top 5 finalists of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge are introduced to industry leaders, mentors and potential funders and/or partnerships.

The Delegates will network with African and global tourism leaders, entrepreneurial innovators, and partner organizations from across Africa and the rest of the world at the summit.

The key focus areas of the event will involve but not limited to youth entrepreneurship, and students’ immersion in innovation, small enterprise development, personal transformation, and self-actualization.  The various aspects of the summit become a best practice guide on how to create a successful and sustainable business in tourism and other related sectors.

Shortlisted Innovation Challenge nominees will have will be given mentorship opportunities and be introduced to potential investors subject to the quality of innovations. The finals of the Innovation Challenge will take place on the margins of the annual Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) and Awards scheduled to take place in mid-November 2022 in Botswana.

The Summit usually hosts approximately 250 in-person and over 1600 virtual attendees including Ministers, tourism officials, policymakers, SMMES, start-ups, students, entrepreneurs and government officials from Africa and the rest of the world. Among these are young women-owned and run tourism businesses, venture capitalists, tourism innovators, technoprenuers, entrepreneurs, university students, university lecturers, start-ups, representatives of youth agencies, officials of youth public institutions, education centres, investors and incubators/accelerators around compelling tourism issues. Others are executives and representatives and staff of youth development, entrepreneurship, tourism career guidance and development organisations.

Key stakeholders, partners, supporters and participants include corporations, international development organisations, financial institutions, government ministries responsible for youth, sports and recreation, education centres, universities, civil society organisations, investors and incubators/accelerators. Others are leisure tourism, business tourism and MICE organisations interested in succession planning and youth development across Africa.

This offers the following opportunities to all delegates:

• Market access, sales and business development opportunity in order to allow start-ups and entrepreneurs to thrive in their business
• Lessons for revenues growth tactics by showcasing their products and services
• Do business and network at the Summit;
• Provide countless opportunities and allow delegates to identify new marketing
• Opportunities, sell products and services; and
• Build relationships and find cross-border travel and tourism business and marketing opportunities.

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Summit registration.

• +27 81 303 7030
• [email protected]
• 61 Tumbleweed Place, Country View, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

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