By Wallace Mawire
With just over a month to go before the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) opens its doors on 25th June, the government of Namibia has confirmed that the President of the Republic of Namibia, H.E. Dr. Nangolo Mbumba will headline the agenda.
AHIF, which is known as the most influential annual gathering of hospitality industry investors, business leaders, government officials, bankers, and expert advisors on the African continent, typically welcomes delegates from over 50 countries for three days of high-level networking, formal business meetings and discussion of the all the latest trends and developments.
Hot topics on this year’s agenda include Active Development, Financial Institutions, Artificial Intelligence, Authentic Leisure, Aviation Connectivity, Conservation, Demographics, Female Power, Government Initiatives to Support Hospitality, Hotel Development, Hotelification of the Workspace, International and Lifestyle Brands, Investing in Namibia, the New Global Geopolitical Order and its impact on Hospitality, New Ventures, Optimal Capital Structure, People, Resorts, Sustainability and more.
Prominent Speakers will include Namibia’s Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister, Hon. Pohamba Penomwenyo Shifeta and several top executives who, between them, have the power to transform a destination by funding projects, create thousands of employment opportunities and boost international tourism, which is a major source of export revenue for many African countries.
They include Artur Gerber, Managing Director, TUI Blue, Olivier Granet, Managing Partner & CEO, Kasada Capital Management, Fahad Kazim, CEO, Millennium Hotels & Resorts & Lakhraim Group, Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, Middle East, Africa & South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Paul Stevens, Chief Operating Officer ME & Africa, Accor and many more of a similar calibre.
Nangula Uaandja, Chairperson and CEO of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, said: “The government has implemented the International Tourism Revival Initiative, with key objectives including creating new tourism routes and expanding tourism product offerings, including establishment of the Namibia Convention Bureau aimed at branding and promoting Namibia as a MICE destination. This has opened up unique investment opportunities that further enhance the attractiveness of Namibia as an investment destination. We are looking forward to showcasing some of these opportunities which hold immense economic potential at AHIF 2024. Our team at NIPDB is always ready to help investors to have a seamless entry and ensure a soft landing in Namibia.”
Matthew Weihs, Founder of the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), added: “Namibia’s confirmation that its President will headline the AHIF agenda leaves me feeling optimistic about the country’s commitment to its tourism and hospitality sector. His presence not only signals that Namibia values the international hospitality investment community, but it also reinforces everything we have heard from our hosts about wanting to create a thriving visitor economy”
AHIF takes place at the Movenpick Hotel in Windhek,Namibia from 25 to 27 June.2024.Other prominent speakers which include Michael Aldridge, Founder & CEO, KOFISI,JS Anand, Founder & CEO, Leva Hotels, Ewan Cameron, Director, Africa, Westmont Hospitality,Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director, CG Corp Global & CG Hospitality Holdings, Karim Cheltout, Regional Vice President, Lodging Development Africa & All-Inclusive EMEA, Marriott, David Damiba, Managing Partner & Co-Chief Executive Officer, Kasada Capital Management, Mark Dunford, Chief Executive Officer, Knight Frank,Erwan Garnier, Senior Director Development, Radisson Hotel Group, Naiara López Giner, Associate Manager – Tourism Advisory Lead, Hospitality & Tourism, Colliers,Wayne Godwin, Co-Chief Executive Officer, JLL Africa, Head, JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, Africa, Bani Haddad, Founder & Managing Director, Aleph Hospitality,Lullu Krugel, Partner, Strategy and Chief Economist, PwC South Africa & PwC Africa ESG Platform Lead,Markus Lehnert, SVP International Hotel Development, Marriott International, Khalili Manji, Partner, CHIC, Laurinda Marsh, KAM Global Projects – Africa, Hansgrohe, Haddis Tilahun, Founder & Chairman, United Africa Group,Wytze van den Berg, Vice President International Operations EMEA/ Vice President EMEA WorldHotels, BWH Hotels, David Vely, VP Regional Development (Middle East & Africa), Club Med, Jameel Verjee, Founder & CEO, CityBlue Hotels (a member of The Diar Group) and Trevor Ward, Managing Director, W Hospitality Group.
AHIF is the premier hotel investment conference in Africa, attracting many prominent international hotel owners, investors, financiers, management companies and their advisers.
It is organised by The Bench , which has a long track record of delivering multiple premium hotel investment conferences and forums across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Bench’s mission is enabling prosperity by facilitating growth, networking, and thought leadership in the hospitality industry worldwide.
