These are the only pan-African industry awards that recognize and celebrate change-makers and innovations pioneered by Africans, in Africa, for African travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation industries.

Particular attention and recognition is given to nominees who can prove their commitment to leadership through sustainability in tourism practices and policy-making.

Nominees and winners include individuals, small enterprises, countries, heads of states, destinations, cities, hotel groups, organizations, ministers, policy-makers and entrepreneurs.

Award Categories

Currently, the award consists of the following categories:

1. Leading in Progressive Policies’ Award

– A country, head of state, minister or government organization/team who has shown progressive and excellence in policy-making for sustainable tourism growth and development in their destination.

2. Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award

-An entrepreneur (or a small group of entrepreneurs) who has shown excellence in entrepreneurship in Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality and/or aviation industry.

3. Outstanding Africa Tourism Media & Marketing Award

-The most influential media and/or marketing contribution to changing the image of Africa.

4. Women in Leadership Award

-The most inspiring and influential leading woman who has and continues to make an outstanding contribution to changing the course of tourism development in Africa.

5. Championing Sustainability Award

-Destination, business, third sector organization or policy that has made an outstanding contribution to conservation/ environmental protection and community development.

6. Most Innovative Business Tourism Destination Award

-Most Innovative and Sustainable Business Tourism and MICE Destination in Africa based on destination rating, number of classified hotels, value for money, value chain development, number of visitors vs socio-economic benefits to the destination and/or green credentials.

7. Outstanding Accommodation Facility / Group Award

-Accommodation facility with the best world-class facilities, quality standards, service excellence provided to guests and sustainable practices (i.e. green credentials, decent employment practices, staff development opportunities) in Africa. Small operations are highly encouraged to participate.

8. Outstanding Tourism Transportation Award

-Tourism transport organization providing the highest quality standard of service to travelers and has sustainability environmental credentials. This includes the most reliable and efficient transportation companies serving all destination in Africa including remote tourism destinations in Africa.

9. Destination Africa – Lifetime Award

-This will be offered to an individual who has made exceptional lifetime contribution in creating positive change in relation to “Destination Africa” beyond the African continent.

Criteria for Nomination

The experts making up the nomination committee nominate three (3) nominees for each category on the basis of nomination received based on the following attributes:

• Nominees must be a stakeholder in Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industries – including public, private, third sector stakeholders, individuals or group of individuals, destinations, communities and other stakeholders operating in Africa.
• Nominees must be doing something outstanding and innovative with measurable results.
• Nominees must be involved in an outstanding project or initiative and demonstrate consistent achievements over a period of a minimum of 2 years.
• Nominees must be able to demonstrate the sustainability of their operation in terms of the economic as well as environment and social impact (e.g. environmentally sensitive, ethical in their operations, inclusive in their workforce engagement).
• Nominees must demonstrate some level innovation in entrepreneurship and/or technology.

Benefits of the Awards

1. Free invitation to ATLF Master Class (in sustainable product development, MICE and Marketing) Awards Dinner and any side events.
2. An opportunity to showcase services, products or destination during ATLF
3. An endorsement by a nomination committee formed by internationally, acclaimed experts.
4. The opportunity to present the awardee’s work to world at ATLF, and 12 months outstanding international media and digital marketing exposure at no cost.

To read more about the awards visit: https://www.tourismleadershipforum.africa/

The following are the winners of the awards grouped yearly.