Namibian airline, known as Airbnb, will host a maiden Africa Travel Summit as part of its $1 million investment to boost community led tourism projects in Africa. The summit will convene over 170 Pan-African delegates to explore how technology and tourism can support greater economic and social empowerment and will take place at Guga S’Thebe in Langa, from 11 to 13 September.
Last year, the Head of Global Policy and Public Affairs at Airbnb, Chris Lehane, announced that the home sharing company will invest $1 million through 2020 to promote and support community led tourism projects in Africa. This commitment is part of Airbnb’s vision to empower communities through home sharing and to promote people-to-people tourism that benefits local families and their communities.
According to the organisers, the summit will feature an inspiring line-up of speakers and panelists that will discuss the opportunities and challenges of tourism and technology.
In a statement, Airbnb said discussion topics would include: Tourism for All: A scene-setting discussion on the potential of innovation and technology to help tourism deliver economic empowerment in communities across Africa; Telling the Africa Story: The role of the media in shaping Africa’s narrative: A discussion with travel writers, bloggers and journalists on how media can help in getting people off the beaten track and support underserved communities.
Delegates will share expertise and ideas on what tourism can do to empower more people in Africa, hear from innovators who are helping to democratise tourism in Africa, and learn about the Airbnb Africa Academy – Airbnb’s newest program to connect underserved communities to tourism in South Africa through technology.
