The 2026 edition presents a clear value proposition: actionable content grounded in local and global data, high-level public–private dialogue, and direct access to investment leaders who determine which initiatives get funded and scaled. The alliance with JLL—bringing expertise in mixed-use developments, hospitality, and destination build-outs—amplifies ATIC’s reach and its mission to turn ideas into bankable projects. The agenda features two JLL voices leading key sessions: Wayne Godwin, CEO of JLL Africa, and Bernadine Galliver, Head of Tourism Advisory for the Middle East & Africa, whose participation promises a sharp reading of trends, risks, and opportunities in the short and medium term. For Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director – Travel, Tourism & RX Africa Marketing, this collaboration strengthens the “bridge between opportunity and capital,” giving attendees a competitive edge when designing, financing, or scaling propositions.
As with any major gathering, the speaker line-up is a barometer of relevance. ATIC will convene African and international voices with decision-making authority and proven track records: Tim Harris, economic development adviser and former CEO of Wesgro; Kelvin Watt, Chair of Nielsen Sports SA; Paul Jordaan, CEO and Co-founder of ENVI Lodges; Daniel Silke, Director at Political Futures Consulting; Paul Gardiner, executive at Mantis Group and founder of Terra Nova Create; and John Gibson, CEO of Chobe Holdings Limited. Their contributions will range from the media monetisation of sports tourism and public–private concession models to regional investment case studies, the evolution of ecolodges, and the design of experiences with tangible impact on communities and conservation. The conference is positioned as a premium, paid forum for professionals who want to convert vision into business: in-depth debates with policy and capital leaders, exclusive access to the WTM Africa show floor, and a programme that prioritises the exchange of knowledge applicable to concrete projects.
Beyond inspiration, ATIC is conceived as a space where negotiations ignite, feasibilities are stress-tested, and impact-oriented investments are nurtured. The conversation around tourism investment in Africa is no longer peripheral—it is central to economic diversification, job creation, and foreign exchange generation, amid growing international investor interest in African destinations and assets. In this vein, organisers have opened an early-bird ticket window: those who register can secure a special launch price of R1,250 per person (excl. VAT) valid through year-end—an explicit invitation to serious players in tourism and hospitality investment. Registration is available via the Africa Travel Week platform and the WTM website, where the agenda, speakers, and access conditions are detailed.
With a focus on measurable outcomes, ATIC 2026 aims to consolidate a community of practice spanning financial structuring and public policy engineering to the creation of differentiated tourism products aligned with sustainability criteria and return on investment. In the post-pandemic context, Africa is signalling recovery and repositioning: destinations and operators able to turn data into decisions, partnerships into projects, and strategies into execution will hold a decisive advantage. By bringing together those who set agendas and those who mobilise capital, ATIC promises to be the place where opportunities become viable, narratives turn into roadmaps, and purpose-driven projects find the momentum they need to take off.
