theXchange presented by Africa Tourism Association theXchange by Africa Tourism Association

Tourism Leaders will address questions and issues put before them by a global audience of industry leaders, small and medium business owners, and travelers alike.   Moderator: Kojo Bentum-Williams, Publisher & CEO, Voyages Afriq Media Panelists: Felix Chaila - CEO, Zambia Tourism Agency Enver Duminy - CEO, Cape Town Tourism

Join us in celebration of Tourism Month for a dialogue around the role of rural tourism in our local communities. Our expert panel will inspire new innovative ways to reignite domestic and international tourism post covid pandemic and border openings.

Panelists:
Ms Candice Meyer, Hilton Hotel Durban
Ms Makhosi Msimango, Women in Tourism KZN Chair
Ms Zodwa Msimang, Ikhono Communications
Mr Ross Kata, Perfections Online
Mr Sibusiso Mngoma, Durban Tourism

Moderator: Mr. Kojo Bentum-Williams, VoyageAfriq
Facilitator: Ms. Thandekile Jessica Nhleko, Project ENZA

In September 2011, Evita Robinson created the NOMADNESS Travel Tribe, an online social community primarily for travelers of color. NOMADNESS was the first of its kind targeting black and brown millennials, in the newly coined 'black travel movement'. The group currently surpasses 23,000 international members, with over 100,000 passport stamps.

In 2018, NOMADNESS Travel Tribe hosted their first festival for Black and Brown travelers and our allies, in Oakland, CA. AUDACITY Fest is an immersive experience that celebrates and creates a safe space for discussions centered around traveling the world as a person of color. Panels, fireside chats, rock climbing, music, and break off sessions included. Past festivals have been in Oakland and Memphis, with 2020 being held Aug. 20-23, in New York City.

Continuing to innovate the travel space has landed NOMADNESS in the print and digital pages of The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Entrepreneur, The Daily Beast, EBONY, ESSENCE, and many more.
Evita’s accolades include National Geographic’s 21 Most Visionary Women Throughout Travel History, 2018’s AFAR Travel Vanguard Award, The Root 100, and being noted as one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s 50 Most Daring Entrepreneurs of 2018. She is also an appointed Board Member of Conde Nast Traveler’s ‘Women Who Travel’ initiative. She can be seen between news panels and business features for CNN, Cheddar, MSNBC, truTV, NewsOne, and Oxygen Channel. Evita was also invited to the White House under the Obama Administration for their meeting of world's creative change makers, for SXSL (South By South Lawn).

'The New Luxury' discussion features diverse voices and explores different perspectives. Learn about new uniquely African cutting edge properties and products; and hear what travelers are looking for in luxury experiences.  Panelists: Paula Franklin, Co-Founder, Franklin Bailey (Moderator) Meryanne Loum-Martin, Owner, Jnane Tamsna Claire B. Soares, Founder & CEO, Up in Air Life Judiet Barnes, Marketing Manager, Thebe Tourism Group | General Manager, Kruger Shalati

Born and raised in Johannesburg, Bheki Dube - who was named Africa’s Best Tourism Entrepreneur in last year’s Tropics Changemakers Awards - founded innovative tour company Main Street Walks at just 16-years old. Dube opened his first hostel at the age of 21, playing a key role in the regeneration of the city’s renowned Maboneng precinct. The CURIOCITY brand was born and CURIOCITY Joburg quickly became one of the city’s most popular hangouts.

Prior to this, Bheki founded MainStreetWalks a thriving inner-city tourism business that has pioneered alternative, authentic travel experiences in Johannesburg. With his energy that developed as he walked the streets of the inner city, a young Bheki started organizing walking tours for those searching for the same diverse and unique energy he had discovered. A natural progression and a whole lot of hard work lent itself to the start of Curiocity Hostels. Since 2013 Bheki has grown Curiocity, from 1 hostel boosting only 40beds to 3 successful properties with a portfolio 350 beds across Durban, Johannesburg, and Cape Town.

Bheki has his sight set across the African continent and hopes to lead and change the hospitality and travel industry one Curiocity at a time.

Tourism Leaders from Eswatini and Seychelles address questions and issues put before them by a global audience of industry leaders, small and medium business owners, and travelers alike.