10th Annual Presidential Forum on Africa Tourism
Images from the event.
Event Overview:
The Africa Travel Association and New York University Africa House held the 10th Annual Presidential Forum on Africa Tourism on Thursday, September 24, 2015, on the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly meetings. 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. NYU Africa House and ATA launched the Presidential Forum in 2006. Since then, over 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. The 2015 Presidential Forum on Africa Tourism keynote address was delivered by His Excellency Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete, President of The United Republic of Tanzania.
Event Program:
9:00 – 10:00 AM: Registration, VIP Reception (Ministers, Sponsors and VIP Guests)
10:00 - 10:25 AM: Welcome Remarks by Dr. Yaw Nyarko, Director of Africa House & Mr. Edward Bergman, Executive Director of Africa Travel Association
10:25 - 10:30 AM: Invitation to Attend ATA’s 40th Annual World Congress in Nairobi, Kenya on November 9-14, 2015 by Hon. Phyllis Kandie, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, Republic of Kenya
10:30 - 11:00 AM: Presidential Keynote Address His Excellency Uhuru M. Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya
11:00 - 11:30 AM: Presidential Keynote Address by His Excellency Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete, President of The United Republic of Tanzania
11:30 - 11:45 AM: Tanzania Tourism Award Presentation and Launch of New Brand Campaign by Hon. Lazaro S. Nyalandu, MP, Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, The United Republic of Tanzania
Joined by: Dr. Adelhelm Meru, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, The United Republic of Tanzania & Mr. Allan Kijazi, Director General, Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA)
11:45- 11:50 AM: Welcome Remarks for Open Forum on Africa Tourism by Hon. Dr. Maria Mutagamba, MP, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Republic of Uganda; President, Africa Travel Association
11:50 - 12:50 PM: Open Forum on Africa Tourism
Moderator: Mr. Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor, CBS News
Panelists:
Hon. Dr. Maria Mutagamba, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities, Republic of Uganda; President, Africa Travel Association
Hon. N’diaye Ramatoulaye Diallo, Minister of Culture, Craft & Tourism, Republic of Mali
Hon. Phyllis Kandie, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce & Tourism, Republic of Kenya
Hon. Lazaro S. Nyalandu, MP, Minister of Natural Resources & Tourism, The United Republic of Tanzania
Hon. Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Republic of Namibia
12:50 - 1 PM: Closing Remarks by Dr. Yaw Nyarko, Director, Africa House; Professor of Economics, New York University & Mr. Edward Bergman, Executive Director, Africa Travel Association
1:00 - 2:00 PM: Travel Industry Reception & Networking
2:00 – 2:15 PM: Opening Remarks Hon. Phyllis Kandie, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, Republic of Kenya & Spotlight on Magical Kenya
2:15 – 2:50 PM: Presentation on Magical Kenya by Muriithi Ndegwa, Managing Director, Kenya Tourism Board
2:50 – 2:55 PM: Presentation on Kenya Airways by Kirti Surendran, Marketing Manager - North America, Kenya Airways
2:55 – 3:00 PM: Raffle of One Round-Trip Ticket on Kenya Airways to Attend ATA’s 40th Annual World Congress in Kenya in November 2015 by Kirti Surendran, Marketing Manager - North America, Kenya Airways
3:00 – 3:30 PM: ATA Kenya Congress Question and Answer Session
Moderator: Julie Averay Cuesta, Kenya Tourism Board (U.S.) Speakers:
Panelists:
Dr. Anne Kinyua, Tourism Secretary, Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, Republic of Kenya
John Kaplich, Communications Director, Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, Republic of Kenya
Muriithi Ndegwa, Managing Director, Kenya Tourism Board
3:30 – 4:00 PM: Coffee/Networking