Milton Nkosi

Posted on March 30, 2022March 30, 2022 by admin

ITIC Speaker — Milton Nkosi
Chairman
MMN International Consulting

Milton Nkosi is a former BBC News Africa Bureaux Chief and Correspondent. He was also South Asia Bureaux Editor based in Delhi, India.

Mr. Nkosi joined the BBC over three decades ago just before the release of Nelson Mandela. He covered the township wars and the subsequent political negotiations to end apartheid.

Mr. Nkosi did his journalism training at BBC Academy’s College of Journalism in London – His management and leadership programme at Ashridge College in Hertfordshire. He studied teaching in civil engineering.

He has covered major stories in Angola, the then Zaire which is present-day DRC, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwanda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran and many more others.

He has interviewed Walter Sisulu, Harry Belafonte, former US President Bill Clinton, Former UK Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, F.W. De Klerk, Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former President Jacob Zuma, President Thabo Mbeki, President Kgalema Motlanthe, President Cyril Ramaphosa, Winnie Mandela and many other leaders.

In 2017 Mr Nkosi travelled to Dubai to interview Duduzane Zuma on allegations of State Capture. His video went viral on social media and has over 1,8 million views on Youtube alone.

Mr. Nkosi is an award winning journalist who always reminds us to see him – Just as an ordinary township boy from Orlando West, Soweto, who supports Orlando Pirates!

He is currently chairman of MMN International Consulting and is also a Senior Research Fellow at Africa Asia Dialogues.

Hon. Alioune Sarr

Posted on March 29, 2022March 30, 2022 by admin

Hon. Alioune Sarr, is the Minister of Tourism and Air Transport for Senegal.

Before joining the government, he was the Director General of the Senegalese Agency for Export Promotion (Asepex). In this role, Sarr initiated important projects and conducted missions for positioning products and services “Made in Senegal” on regional and international markets.

Hon. Rodney M Sikumba

Posted on March 29, 2022March 30, 2022 by admin

Rodney has Bachelor of Arts from the University of Zambia and a Masters in Business Administration- Strategy and International Business from Hult International Business School (USA).

Rodney is a trained in Diplomatic Practice Protocol and Public relations from Zambia institute of Diplomacy and international studies.

Ken Osei

Posted on March 29, 2022November 2, 2024 by admin

Ken Osei is a Principal Investment Officer with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Private Sector arm of the World Bank Group (WBG), and a leading Development Finance Institution, operating across emerging markets globally.

Ken is responsible for originating, structuring, closing and managing portfolio investments in IFC’s Manufacturing, Consumer Services and Agribusiness sectors. Ken has been involved in IFC equity, debt, and quasi-equity investments in East, West and Southern Africa in sectors such as Retail, Commercial Property, Education, Healthcare, Housing, Hotels, Cement Manufacturing, Automotive Components, Food & Beverage & Fast-Moving Consumer Goods. He is based in IFC’s Johannesburg office.

Promoting Africa as a key tourism investment destination

Posted on March 12, 2022March 17, 2022 by admin

African Tourism Investment Summit

Investing in Africa’s future tourism growth and prosperity

DAY 1: 11 April 2022 – Global Stage

Time: 10:30 – 12:00 Ministerial Roundtable – Tackling challenges for future investments in Africa’s tourism industry

DAY 2: 12 April 2022 – Summit Day

Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre

Time: 10:00 – 18:00

As a major economic contributor for many African countries, the travel and tourism industry offers a plethora of opportunity, uniquely positioned to develop, attract and enhance economic prosperity across the continent; facilitate cross border collaboration throughout the value chain, and provide exceptional experiences to visitors from around the world.

The African Tourism Investment Summit in partnership with WTM, brings together esteemed speakers and key professionals in the private and public sector, to highlight investment trends, industry challenges and opportunities.

Held during Africa Travel Week, the event attracts ministers, mayors, investors, private equity firms, venture capitalists, decision makers, international buyers and travel professionals, with business translating into millions of dollars to boost Africa’s economy, while providing visitors a lifetime of memories.

Who should attend?

Finance Institutions
Financiers | Investors
Government Parastatals
Economic Development Practitioners
Public-Private Partners
Bilateral and Multilateral Development Partners
Project Developers
Infrastructure Operators
Leaders in Tourism Technology
Investment Sector Media

View our Past Conferences

April 2017 – Enhancing Mauritius – China Relations – https://itic.uk/symposium-on-enhancing-mauritius-china-relations/
June 2017 China Tourist Night – CNTA Mauritius – www.itic.uk/china-tourist-night
ITIC London November 2018 www.itic.uk/videos
31 May 2019 – Investing in Tourism Sustainability Conference, Sunny Beach Bulgaria – www.investingintourism.com / BBC Clip –
http://www.bbc.com/storyworks/bulgaria-sustainable-tourism-conference/bulgaria-sustainable-tourism-post-event
ITIC London – 1 & 2 November 2019 – www.itic.uk & https://itic.uk/itic-2019-video-gallery/
ITIC Arabian Travel Market Middle East Tourism Investment In-person Summit 19 May 2021
ITIC London – 1 & 2 November 2021 – www.itic.uk & The Summit Replay

Our Virtual Events

Programme

Posted on March 8, 2022June 17, 2022 by admin

ITIC ATM Dubai 2022

Middle East Tourism Investment Summit

The Middle East as a major financial hub for global tourism investments

The Middle East has become a reference financial hub for tourism investments due to its comprehensive financial services with innovative and cost-effective FinTech as well as venture capital environments. This ecosystem is supported by a diverse pool of talents and a strong regulatory framework, building a high level of trust.

The region facilitates access to finance on favourable terms. In addition, it offers appropriate financial instruments to raise capital for tourism projects and agile financing modalities through investment loans or shared ownership.

Monday 9 May 2022
Ministerial Roundtable
ATM Global Stage

13:30 – 14:15 What is driving investments in Travel and Tourism sector?

Tourism destinations in the Middle East are widening their appeal, extending their offerings from luxury hotels to the mid-market segment and as these countries aim at increasing tourist arrivals, a package of incentives has been elaborated to attract FDI.

Ministers of Tourism will gather on Monday 9 May 2022 at Dubai World Trade Centre ATM Global Stage to discuss on ‘What is driving investments in the Travel and Tourism sector’ during the ITIC-ATM Ministerial Roundtable.

The Ministerial Roundtable will not only shed light on the investment opportunities in that part of the world but also unveil the new flexible modes of financing as well as the latest models of funding of tourism projects in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moreover, the Middle East is increasingly being used by investors and financiers from all over the world to raise or channel capital in order to support project developers in the hospitality industry, contributing to turn their ideas into reality, bring the final touch or recapitalise their undertakings.

It will also be held at a critical moment when several Middle East countries such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, are diversifying their oil-dominated economies through tourism as a sustainable future engine of growth.

Moderator: Sameer Hashmi, Middle East Business Correspondent, BBC News

Panellists:

H.E. Dr Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SME, Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council
H.E Nayef Al Fayez, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Jordan
Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica
Hon. Philda Nani Kereng, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Botswana

Tuesday 10 May 2022
Tourism Investment Summit
ATM Global Stage

Master of Ceremony: Amjaad Al Salmi, Founder and CEO, Amjaad Public Relations

14:00 – 14:10 Welcome Notes

Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman ITIC and Former Secretary-General UNWTO
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director – Middle East, RX

14:10 – 14:30 Global Economic Outlook 2022 by Scott Livermore, Oxford Economics

14:30 – 14:45 Reenergizing air connectivity to support tourism growth in the Middle East

A conversation with Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO Flydubai and Sameer Hashmi, Middle East Business Correspondent, BBC News

14:45 – 15:30 How the Middle East is reinventing the financing of future tourism projects?

The Middle East facilitates access to finance on favourable terms. In addition, the region offers appropriate financial instruments to raise capital for tourism projects and agile financing modalities through investment loans or shared ownership.

Moderator: Gerald Lawless, Director ITIC and Ambassador WTTC

Panellists:

Sandip Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Marriott International
Badr Alherbish, Executive Director of Strategy Tourism Development Fund, Saudi Arabia
Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations & Development, Middle East, Africa & India, Swiss-Belhotel International
Dinky Puri, Founding Partner, Eaglewing Group

15:30 – 16:00 The economic integration of women through the tourism industry

Tourism can contribute in a decisive manner to achieving gender equality and empower women for their economic and inclusive development. What effective strategies and interventions can be rolled out to further engage women in the tourism’s labour force and go beyond traditional sociocultural barriers?

Moderator: Elizabeth Maclean, Co-Managing Director, Herdwick Communications

Panellists:

Khadija Mohammad Turki, Acting Director General, Ajman Tourism Development Department
Marloes Knippenberg, CEO, Kerten
Aradhana Khowala, CEO, Aptamind
Maryam Toorani, Director of Marketing & Promotion, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority

16:00 – 16:30 Destination Focus – Investment Opportunities

Ras Al Khaimah forges ahead

Raki Phillips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
Alison Grinnell, Chief Executive Officer RAK Hospitality Holding LLC
Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO of Marjan

16:30 – 16:45 Presentations of Tourism Projects Financing

16:30 – 16:35 John Sage, Founder & CEO of Accessible Travel Solutions

16:35 – 16:40 Wild World by Guillaume Pellerin, CEO

16:40 – 16:45 Shackle by Mark Abraham, Founder & CEO,

16:45 – 17:15 Unlocking new mode of payments in the travel and tourism industry

The conversation will discuss the changing behaviour and decision-making process of international travellers, their new modes of purchasing travel and tourism products and services arising from the blockchain revolution, pervasive digital banking, Fintech and the growing usage of NFT and cryptocurrencies whilst keeping the global network trusted, protected and secured.

A conversation between Dirk Van Loggerenberg, CEO of Dale Capital Group, Dr. Kamlen Pillay, CEO UWell and Yariv Fisher, Chairman of Flyeast GRP

17:15 – 17:55 Enhancing tourism resilience to mitigate the impact of future crises and improved financing through better preparedness

Destinations must have high levels of preparedness to reduce the impact of future catastrophes and enable effective operational responses through awareness, education and warning systems especially as areas are increasingly prone to calamities due to climate change. The overall paradigm shift will ultimately lead to better financing possibilities for the tourism industry

Moderator: Sameer Hashmi, Middle East Business Correspondent, BBC News

Panellists:

H.E Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica and Co-chair GTRCMC
Paul Griffiths, CEO Dubai Airports
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Taleb Rifai, Chairman ITIC and Former Secretary-General, UNWTO

17:55 – 18:00 Closing

Dr. Taleb Rifai, Gerald Lawless & Ibrahim Ayoub

Wednesday 11 May 2022
The ITIC Deal Room

On 11 May, project tourism owners and developers will be able to showcase their tourism projects to investors and members of the ITIC team in private deal rooms. The ITIC team invites tourism projects owners or developers who are looking for investment to submit their projects so that ITIC can screen them in the Deal Room to be set up at ATM. Project Developers in quest of investment can fill in the form by clicking this link.

The ITIC team will provide actionable advice to Project Developers, striking mutually beneficial agreements and channelling investments into their projects. ITIC will also to ensure that your project integrates the best environmental, social and good governance practices. We will then actively interface with investors and fund managers to turn your tourism project into reality.

Programme

Posted on March 8, 2022April 11, 2022 by admin

ITIC WTM Cape Town
11 – 13 April 2022

African Tourism Investment Summit

Theme: Investing in Africa’s future tourism growth and prosperity

Day 1 – 11 April 2022
Ministerial Roundtable

10:30 – 12:00 Ministerial Roundtable

Tackling challenges for future investments in Africa’s tourism industry

Climate change, the varying levels of infrastructural facilities and political instability… are some of the challenges and areas of concern for investments in Africa. Governments have a key role to play in elaborating strategies so that tourism becomes a catalyst for private capital flows and unleash the potential of that industry and its positive contribution on employment and the income of local communities.

Moderator: Milton Nkosi, Chairman, MMN International Consulting

Introduction by Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman ITIC and former Secretary-General UNWTO

Panellists:

Hon. Alioune Sarr, Minister of Tourism, Senegal
Hon. Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Tourism, South Africa
Hon. Minister David Maynier, Minister of Economic Development & Opportunities, Ministry of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Western Cape Government
Hon. Memunatu Pratt, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Sierra Leone
Hon. Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Kenya
Hon. Philda Kereng, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Botswana
Hon. Rodney M Sikumba, Minister of Tourism and Arts, Zambia
Hon. Moses Vilakati, Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Eswatini
Ken Osei, Principal Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Humphrey Nwugo, Regional Chief Operating Officer, Afrexim bank (Southern Africa)
Zephanie Niyonkuru, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Rwanda Development Board

Day 2 – 12 April 2022
Summit

Master of Ceremony: Tokozile Xasa, Former Minister of Tourism, South Africa

10:20 – 10:30 Welcome Notes

Carol Weaving, Managing Director REED South Africa
Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman ITIC and Former Secretary-General UNWTO
Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, City of Cape Town

10:30 – 10:45 Africa Economic Outlook 2022

Hon. Minister David Maynier, Minister of Economic Development & Opportunities, Ministry of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Western Cape Government

10:45 – 11:30 Addressing the issues of air connectivity in Africa

To boost intra-African tourism, a regional airline is a must. African governments should take a coordinated and holistic view to address the issues of air connectivity, tackling the gradual and balanced liberalization of air services to expand routes and traffic throughout the continent and beyond. Taxes and airport charges should also be taken into account.

Moderator: Amanda Michelle Mvinjelwa, Key Account Manager, Airlines and Government Agencies, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)

Panellists:

Hon. Philda Kereng, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Botswana
Aaron Munetsi, CEO, Airlines Association of Southern Africa
Luis Millan, Head of Research, Forward Keys
Ken Osei, Principal Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Sadiq Dindar, Marketing and Promotions Manager, South Africa Tourism

11:30 – 12:30 Rethinking the financing modes of Africa’s new tourism projects

Financing tourism projects has become more challenging due to the adverse effect of the Covid pandemic. This approach has sparked a debate on the need to look for alternative modes of financing new projects.

Moderator: Rashid Toefy, Deputy Director General, Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Western Cape Government, South Africa

Panellists:

H.E Mahmoud Mohammed Mussa, Lord Mayor, City of Zanzibar
Daniel Trappler, Senior Director, Development – Sub-Sahara Africa, Radisson
Manish Nambiar, Area General Manager, Africa, Kempinski
Gerald Lawless, Director ITIC and Ambassador WTTC
Moseketsi Mpeta, Head Tourism and Services, International Development Corporation (IDC)
Humphrey Nwugo, Regional Chief Operating Officer, Afrexim bank (Southern Africa)
Ken Osei, Principal Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC)

12:30 – 13:45Networking Lunch

13:45 – 14:30 How tourism is empowering African women?

According to a UNWTO report on Women in Tourism, in Africa, women make up to 69% of the tourism labour force. This industry also offers opportunities for women entrepreneurship, enabling them to be financially autonomous. However, in many African countries which have a strong patriarchal legacy, women are still fighting to be socially or economically empowered.

Moderator: Nomasonto Ndlovu, Executive Manager – Tourism, Heritage & Hospitality, The Blue Train

Panellists:

Hon. Memunatu Pratt, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Sierra Leone
Catheryn Khoo, Professor of Tourism Torrens University & Gender Expert, UNWTO
Ola Wright, CEO: West Africa Tourism Organisation (WATO)
Karen Matsiko, Pan Africa Head: Working Capital Product Management – Trade, ABSA
Fayrouz Holliday-October, Travel Designer, Tourist Guide & CVO, Halaal Hopper Travel & Taste experiences; Exco member of Women in Tourism Western Cape; Interim Chair Lady of Halaal Tourism Association of South Africa
Nikolatte Matuku, Global CEO, ZimAchievers Awards

14:30 – 15:15 Investment Opportunities – Destination Focus

Dr Theuns Vivian, Destination Development Manager, City of Cape Town
Botswana
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal
Sthembiso Dlamini, Chief Executive Officer, Gauteng Tourism Authority

15:15 – 15:45 Conversation: Unlocking Africa’s opportunities by leveraging on digital adoption

Africa offers tremendous potential for tourism investments in quest of new markets and favourable returns. The continent has been one of the world’s fastest-growing regions over the past decade and by 2030, it will be home to nearly 1.7 billion people, generating an estimated US $ 6.7 trillion worth of consumer and business spending. The barriers to business are being eliminated by investment friendly policies and growing political stability which are making market access easier. Furthermore, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the COVID-19 pandemic has induced unprecedented demand for digital health technology solutions for population screening and infection tracking. Africa’s technology adoption is underway with increasing internet deployment and the tourism industry will benefit from the ripple effects of the digital transformations. The conversation will discuss the changing behaviour and decision-making process of international travellers, their new modes of purchasing travel and tourism products and services arising from the blockchain revolution, pervasive digital banking, Fintech and the growing usage of NFT and cryptocurrencies whilst keeping the global network trusted, protected and secured.

Dave Ramsey, Professional Consultant in conversation with Dirk Van Loggerenberg, CEO, Dale Capital Group and Executive African Growth and Private Equity PCC and Ruben Miller, Executive, Futurefin

15:45 – 16:00 Networking Break

16:00 – 16:45 Supporting resilience through adequate funding to ensure the future of Africa’s tourism businesses

Preparedness is of critical importance in reducing the risks and managing effectively the negative impact of natural calamities and disasters such as the Russia-Ukraine war which has far-reaching disruptive effects on investments and the movement of travellers. This session will also unveil the need for building institutional capacity and emergency planning.

Moderator: Milton Nkosi, Chairman, MMN International Consulting

Panellists:

Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica and Chairman, Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC)
Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman ITIC, Co-chair GTRCMC and Former Secretary-General UNWTO
Rashid Toefy, Deputy Director General, Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Western Cape Government, South Africa
Roland Vorwerk, Africa Nature Based Tourism Platform
Dr. Esther Kagure Munyiri, Executive Director, Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, East Africa

16:45 – 17:30 Investing in marketing Africa as a single brand: Challenges and Opportunities

Promoting African countries under a single brand will contribute to overcome negative stereotypes and enable the continent to realize its full potential by highlighting the complementary landscapes, cultures and wildlife through a common narrative and roadmap. This will also enable African countries to go beyond their traditional tourist markets.

Moderator: Cuthbert Ncube, Executive Chairman, African Tourism Board

Panellists:

Themba Khumalo, Acting CEO South Africa Tourism
Sthembiso Dlamini, Chief Executive Officer, Gauteng Tourism Authority
Makhosazane Luthuli, Founder and CEO of Allegro Enterprises (Venture Capitalist)
Lillian Ajarova, Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Tourism Board
Kwakye Donkor, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Tourism Partners
Kojo Bentum-Williams, Voyage Afrique
Ariella Kageruka, Ag. Chief Tourism Officer, Rwanda Development Board
Fiona Ngesa, Ag. Director, Market Development, Kenya Tourism Board

17:30 – 17:45 Closing

Ibrahim Ayoub, Group CEO ITIC & Invest Tourism Ltd
Megan Oberholzer, Portfolio Director: Travel, Tourism & Creative Industries Portfolio for Reed Exhibitions South Africa

Day 3 – 13 April 2022
ITIC Deal Room

On 13 April, project tourism owners and developers from African region will be able to showcase their tourism projects to investors and members of the ITIC team in private deal rooms. The ITIC team invites tourism projects owners or developers who are looking for investment to submit their projects so that ITIC can screen them in the Deal Room to be set up at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Project Developers in quest of investment
click to fill in call for projects form