Boosting Africa’s Job Creation and International Tourism

 ……As Africa Hospitality Investment Forum(AHIF 2023) Holds

 Story: Mohammed Abu

The Organizers of Africa’s premier hospitality industry event, the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum(AHIF),the Bench, announced on Wednesday that, Africa’s top notch and largest hospitality industry investors are due, Nairobi, Kenya and would be live on stage for the 2023 edition of the event.

The investors the official announcement said, include Olivier Granet, Managing Partner & CEO, Kasada Capital Management, Alyshia Mangalji, VP Europe & Africa, Westmont Hospitality Group, Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director, CG Corp Global and more.

Investors of their caliber, the announcement noted, can help to fund projects that create thousands of jobs and boost international tourism, which is a major source of export revenue for many African countries.

Their presence, alongside numerous other hotel owners, it added, has attracted top hospitality executives, government ministers, officials, bankers, consultants, and industry experts from over 50 countries to network and discuss the most pressing issues affecting the development of hotels across the continent.

The AHIF program will cover a wide range of topics, including global risks and their impact on Africa’s hospitality industry, achieving net-zero targets, implementing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies, access to capital, transformational travel, hotel development challenges and opportunities, hotel financing criteria, successful tourism entrepreneurship, operational excellence, the importance of human skills, alternative accommodation, emerging market dynamics, the latest trends, the future of hospitality investment in Africa and more.The event is further enhanced by AviaDev Real Estate, which overlaps with the last day of AHIF.

It offers high-level discussion and case study presentations on successful airport real estate projects. Pre-set appointments will connect the owners and operators of African airports to those with the finance, expertise, and contacts to help them maximise revenue from their airport infrastructure, including from hospitality, as well as retail, cargo, warehousing, and other activities.

Sponsored by Host Partner, Actis and Westmont Hospitality Group, Radisson Hotel Group; Reception Host: Kasada Capital Management; Accor, Aleph Hospitality, BWN Hotels, CHIC, CityBlue Hotels, Colliers, Equate, Hansgrohe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Insignia, among several others, AHIF 2023 offers a highly influential speaker line-up that includes:

Hon. Peninah Malonza OGW, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife Kenya

Haitham Mattar, MD MEA & SW Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts

Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor, CBS News

Rajan Datar, Host of BBC Travel Show & BBC World News

Pat Thaker, Economist Intelligence Unit

Thomas Mundy, Head of Capital Markets Strategy & Research EMEA, JLL

Jameel Verjee, Founder & CEO, CityBlue Hotels

Catherine Hendry, Principal: Property Finance Africa, Nedbank

Srividya Jagannathan, Manager Consumer and Social Services, International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group

Vimbai Masiyiwa, CEO, Batoka Hospitality Group

Karim Cheltout, Regional Vice President, Lodging Development Africa & All-Inclusive EMEA, Marriott International

Trevor Ward, Managing Director, W Hospitality Group

Billy Cheung You Tung, Chairman of the Board, Century Park Hotel and Residences Ltd

Dupe Olusola, CEO, Transcorp Hotels

Hamza Farooqui, Founder & CEO, Milat Investments

Wytze Van den Berg, VP EMEA, BWH Hotels

Daniel Silke, Political Futures Consultancy and an array of other impressive individuals, discussing more topics such as empowering women, green tech, and regional sourcing.

“We feel honoured to have such an exceptional list of speakers for this year’s Africa Hospitality Investment Forum,” said Matthew Weihs, Managing Director of the bench.

“Their expertise and unique perspectives will undoubtedly produce enlightening discussions on the key issues shaping the African hospitality industry. Thanks to their engagement and our commitment to providing a platform for industry leaders to connect and collaborate, AHIF will continue to play a vital role in driving investment and growth in the sector.” Mr.Weihs intimated.

The Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) is the premier gathering of industry leaders, investors, government officials, and hospitality professionals in Africa. It provides a platform for discussing investment opportunities, forging strategic partnerships, and promoting sustainable growth within the African hospitality sector.

With its dynamic program, influential speakers, and networking opportunities, AHIF drives investment and development across the continent.

Over the past 25 years, Bench has established a legacy for delivering business forums and conferences in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. It has built a reputation for delivering immersive virtual events, energizing masterclasses and innovative B2B digital strategies for its clients.

For more details about AHIF, which takes place on 12^th – 14^th June in Nairobi, and to register for the event, please visit www.ahif.com.