Nominations for the 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Awards are now open.
As the premier pan-African industry honour, the awards recognize and celebrate change makers and innovations made by Africans in Africa for the African travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors.
The awards ceremony will take place as part of the 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum being held in Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo, South Africa’s northernmost province, from September 2-4, 2026.
The nomination period will run through March 16, 2026, and the committee welcomes both self-nominations and peer recommendations. Award categories highlight excellence across the entire tourism value chain, including: Leading in Progressive Policies Award, Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award, Outstanding Africa Tourism Media and Marketing Award, and Women in Leadership Award.
Further categories include: Championing Sustainability, Most Innovative Business Tourism Destination, Outstanding Accommodation Facility/Agglomeration, Outstanding Tourism Transport, and Respected Destination Africa – Lifetime Award.
Nominees are expected to demonstrate a clear commitment to leadership through sustainable practices and visionary policymaking. Eligible candidates include individuals, small enterprises, countries, heads of state, destinations, cities, hotel groups, organizations, ministers and entrepreneurs.
As Devota Madachi, Co-Chair of the Africa Tourism Leadership Awards, said, the 2026 nomination window serves as a prestigious platform to honor pioneers who are transforming the African travel landscape.
“We would like to welcome the continent's travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation community to participate in the nominations for the Africa Tourism Leadership Awards 2026. These awards celebrate the continent's best and true trailblazers who, through their work and leadership, have shown excellence, shaped policies, driven meaningful change and made a lasting impact on the continent's tourism industry. This is the moment when the world and especially the African continent says 'I look at you and what you have done Appreciate that!' We encourage private and public sector travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation leaders to join us and participate in celebrating our African tourism heroes,” Madachi said.
The winners will be announced at the 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (www.tourismleadershipforum.africa), organized by the Limpopo Tourism Agency under the guidance and partnership of Africa Tourism Partners.
ATLF serves as a vital group of industry thought leaders aimed at advancing entrepreneurship, women and youth empowerment and recognizing the industry's most influential change makers. As a pan-African platform, ATLF and its associated awards provide a platform for advocacy, knowledge sharing and the development of firm, implementable actions designed to encourage intra-Africa travel development.
The 2026 edition of ATLF is expected to include over 350 physical delegates and 2,000 virtual delegates
Attendees will be presented with a content-rich program featuring renowned speakers from around the world, through dedicated ministerial, CEO and executive sessions. The discussion will also focus on strengthening Brand Africa's competitiveness through a future approach to bidding and hosting association meetings.