Africa Youth Tourism Summit 2025 Heads to Johannesburg

AYTIS 2025 Empowers Nigeria’s Youth Entrepreneurs to Transform Travel and Tourism

by Oluwafemi Kehinde

According to Travel and Tour World, the highly anticipated 7th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge (AYTIS 2025) will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from June 24th to 27th, 2025. AYTIS 2025 is positioned as the apex platform for young African leaders and entrepreneurs in the tourism sector.

Travel and Tour World reports that the four-day event was originally slated to be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, but has now been relocated to Johannesburg. This underscores the potential of South Africa’s economic hub to inject new energy and opportunities into the continent’s evolving tourism landscape.

Africa Youth Tourism Summit 2025 Heads to JohannesburgUnder the central themes of youth-led innovations, entrepreneurship, and tourism’s digital transformation, the AYTIS 2025 is poised to be a forum for strategic networking and impactful discussions. The event is a collaborative effort by key industry players, including Africa Tourism Partners (ATP), the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), BDO, South African Tourism, and Johannesburg Tourism. 

AYTIS 2025 summit provides a robust platform for young innovators and entrepreneurs to connect with policymakers, investors, and industry leaders. The summit mainly aims to support a new generation of tourism professionals in driving sustainable growth and fostering an inclusive and technologically advanced African tourism sector.

The summit is bedecked with a series of engaging activities, key amongst them being high-level ministerial and policy dialogues. These sessions will bring together government officials and industry experts to discuss creating a more enabling environment for youth-led tourism enterprises.

The summit will also feature an innovation challenge, in which the top 20 finalists from across Africa will pitch their groundbreaking tourism solutions. This competition is designed to identify and nurture the sector’s most promising young entrepreneurs.

The summit also features B2B networking and matchmaking with dedicated sessions facilitating connections between young entrepreneurs, potential investors, and corporate partners to foster collaborations that can scale innovative tourism products and services.

A key highlight of the summit will be the announcement of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge winners. The top 20 finalists, representing the brightest young minds in African tourism, will be able to present their ventures to a panel of esteemed judges and potential investors. These innovations span various sub-sectors, including eco-tourism, cultural heritage, travel technology, and hospitality.

According to BusinessDay, the 20 selected finalists represent 15 African countries, and their projects cover a diverse range of travel experiences. Among the standouts are eco-Tourism Ventures in Tanzania, Lowapi Drone Light Shows from Botswana, Sea Pirate Tours in Mauritius, Exploradio Audio Guide App from Namibia, and Ugrr.net from Nigeria—leveraging AI to improve trip planning. From bicycle tour platforms in Egypt to STEAM-powered cultural education centres in Zambia, the finalists are embracing travel as a tool for learning, healing, and growth.

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The summit will also feature a “Presidential Live-Chat” with the top five finalists, offering a unique platform for these budding entrepreneurs to share their vision and engage in direct dialogue with influential leaders.

The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit has a rich history of empowering young Africans. Since its inception, the summit has traversed the continent, with previous editions held in Ghana, Rwanda, and Namibia. These gatherings have been instrumental in launching the careers of numerous young tourism professionals and have contributed significantly to the discourse on youth inclusion and innovation in the African tourism sector.

The 2025 edition in Johannesburg is expected to continue this legacy, providing a critical platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the forging of Pan-African partnerships that will shape the future of tourism on the continent.

For Nigeria, a nation with a burgeoning youth population and a tourism industry ripe for transformation, the summit presents a significant opportunity to address key challenges and unlock immense potential. The event’s focus on innovation, technology, and youth empowerment is particularly resonant with Nigeria’s current drive to diversify its economy and harness the creativity of its young entrepreneurs.

The summit’s core objectives—including fostering inclusive growth, bridging the funding gap for startups, and exploring the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in tourism—directly align with the pressing needs of Nigeria’s tourism and travel landscape. While systemic issues like inadequate infrastructure and economic instability have hindered the growth of Nigeria’s international tourism sector, a recent surge in domestic tourism, driven by a vibrant youth demographic, signals a promising shift.

With 70% of its population under 30, Nigeria’s greatest asset in tourism lies in its youth. The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit provides a strategic platform for Nigerian youth to gain invaluable exposure, mentorship, and access to funding, which are critical components for translating innovative ideas into viable businesses.

The summit’s Innovation Challenge is a prime opportunity for young Nigerian entrepreneurs to showcase their tourism-related startups on a continental stage. The mentorship and potential funding that come with being a finalist can be a game-changer for fledgling businesses, enabling them to scale their operations and contribute to job creation back home. 

A key theme of the 2025 summit is the integration of Artificial Intelligence in tourism. Nigerian innovators increasingly use technology to create booking platforms, virtual tours, and digital marketing campaigns that reshape the travel experience. Participation in the summit will expose them to the latest AI-powered tools and strategies, enabling them to enhance efficiency, personalise customer experiences, and compete globally.

Plus, as access to capital remains a significant hurdle for many Nigerian startups, the summit will connect young entrepreneurs with venture capitalists and international investors interested in the African tourism market. This provides a unique avenue for Nigerian innovators to pitch their ideas and secure the necessary financial backing to grow their ventures.

Also, emphasising intra-Africa travel and showcasing diverse tourism products across the continent can inspire new travel trends and collaborations. Nigerian tour operators and travel agencies attending the summit can forge partnerships with their counterparts from other African countries, promoting multi-destination packages and boosting regional tourism.

By strategically engaging and leveraging these and other inherent opportunities, Nigeria can leverage the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit 2025 as a powerful catalyst for the sustainable growth and modernisation of its tourism and travel industry, ultimately placing it on a firmer footing to compete and flourish in the global tourism landscape.

 

FAQs

1. What are the official dates and location for the AYTIS 2025?

The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit 2025 will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from Tuesday, June 24th to Friday, June 27th, 2025. It is important to note that the location was recently moved from Nairobi, Kenya, to Johannesburg.

2. What is the primary purpose and theme of the summit?

The core objective of AYTIS 2025 is to empower the next generation of African tourism leaders and entrepreneurs. The summit provides a crucial platform for young innovators to connect with industry stakeholders, gain mentorship, and access funding opportunities.

The overarching theme for the 2025 summit is a “Tech-driven Future” for African tourism. Key sub-themes that will be explored include: bridging the Start-Up Divide: Addressing the challenges and opportunities for tourism startups in Africa; community Engagement and Inclusive Tourism: Ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism development; the Role of AI and Technology in Tourism; and exploring how artificial intelligence and other technologies can drive innovation and growth in the sector.

3. Who can participate in the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge?

Young African entrepreneurs, innovators, and start-ups involved in tourism are invited to submit innovative projects promoting technological advancement, sustainability, and community engagement within the tourism sector. Entries are open until the end of February 2025.

4. How can I register for the summit, and are there any associated fees?

Registration for the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit 2025 is open and can be completed through the official summit website: https://youthtourismsummit.com/

The website provides the most up-to-date information on registration fees, including different packages that may be available for students, entrepreneurs, and corporate attendees. It is advisable to register early to take advantage of any early-bird discounts that may be offered.

5. What are the key benefits of participating in AYTIS 2025?

Attending AYTIS 2025 offers participants a multitude of benefits: unparalleled networking, knowledge and skills development, an innovation showcase, and career advancement.

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