Cape Town, South Africa – Tourism and investment leaders from across Africa and beyond are being urged to attend Africa Tourism Investment Conference (ATIC)ready to be 14 April 2026 As part of the Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC) World Travel Market (WTM) Africa 2026.
Organized in partnership with JLL AfricaAn associate member of UN Tourism, the high-level, one-day conference will convene investors, policy makers, tourism officials and private sector stakeholders to accelerate dialogue and action about tourism investment opportunities across the continent.
A platform for investment and impact
ATIC 2026 is positioned as a key meeting point for decision makers wishing to unlock Africa's tourism potential as a driver of economic growth.
“Tourism remains a powerful economic driver across the continent, providing opportunities to accelerate growth, create jobs and strengthen regional partnerships,” he said. gillian saundersATIC Conference Director.
He emphasized that this year's program brings a strong global perspective:
“The 2026 program offers a strong international perspective, providing a vital platform where investors and decision-makers can connect, share insights and explore the complexities of navigating the investment sector for tourism. This year, we are on a mission to take a deeper look at what investors are really looking for: strong, strategic partners, clear policy frameworks and long-term growth potential.”
Cape Town's strategic role
Hosting ATIC reinforces Cape Town's growing reputation as a leading destination for tourism investment.
according to james vosMembers of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development in the City of Cape Town:
“Cape Town's role as host of ATIC 2026 reflects the work we are doing to position our city and our continent as a serious destination for tourism investment. We see every day how tourism translates into real economic impact: jobs, small business growth, and new opportunities in our communities.”
Vos said ATIC's strength lies in its ability to bring together the entire tourism ecosystem:
“What makes ATIC so valuable is that it brings together investors, policymakers and industry leaders to move from conversation to action.”
Main topics and discussions
ATIC 2026 will feature a dynamic program addressing the most important and emerging issues shaping tourism investment in Africa. Main attractions include:
- UN Tourism-led Insightsincluding Invest in Africa 2025 Report
- Global Economic and Geopolitical Analysis by political economist Daniel Silke
- Investment ready destinations and emerging market opportunities
- Expansion of lodge and hotel groups in the safari area
- Hyper-tourism and sustainable investment strategies
- growing role of sports tourismHighlights key events such as LIV Golf's African debut and Morocco's Formula One ambitions
These discussions aim to provide actionable insights for investors looking to invest in Africa's complex but high-potential tourism landscape.
Impressive Speaker Line-up
ATIC 2026 will host an impressive roster of industry leaders and experts, including:
- Hamza FarooquiCEO of Millat Global Holdings
- Daniel SilkeDirector of Political Futures Consultancy
- tim harrisCEO of Helm Growth
- david destaVice President, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group (Africa)
- Kelvin WattMD of Capitalize Media and Chairman of Nielsen Sports South Africa
- Imad BarrakarCEO of the Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT)
- Julien RenaudCEO of African Hotel Development
- Ashish SharmaCEO of Serena Hotels Africa
- john gibsonCEO of Chobe Holdings Limited
Together, they will share insights on investment trends, policy frameworks and strategies to promote sustainable development across the continent.
Networking and Collaboration Opportunities
Held on the global platform of WTM Africa, ATIC is part of a broader event connecting international travel buyers, investors, government representatives, financial institutions and tourism project owners.
Attendees will also benefit from curated networking experiences stellenbosch experienceOffers a uniquely South African setting for informal engagement and relationship-building.
“As one of the continent’s leading gatherings that focuses exclusively on tourism investment, ATIC offers a rare opportunity to connect directly with the people and capital driving tourism development across Africa,” Saunders said.
“With the event fast approaching and capacity limited, we encourage interested delegates to register immediately to avoid missing out.”
event details
Due to limited spaces available, those wishing to be part of Africa's premier tourism investment dialogue are strongly advised to register early.