Nominations open for 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Awards

The nominations for the 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Awards are now open.

As the premier pan-African industry honours, the awards recognize and celebrate the change-makers and innovations pioneered by Africans, in Africa, for the African travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors.

The awards ceremony will take place as part of the 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum, held in Polokwane, the capital of South Africa’s northernmost province of Limpopo, from September 2-4,2026.

The nomination period runs from March 16, 2026, and the committee welcomes both self-nominations and peer recommendations. The award categories highlight excellence across the entire tourism value chain, including: Leading in Progressive Policies Award, Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award, Outstanding Africa Tourism Media & Marketing Award, and Women in Leadership Award.

Further categories include: Championing Sustainability, Most Innovative Business Tourism Destination, Outstanding Accommodation Facility/Group, Outstanding Tourism Transportation, and the venerable Destination Africa – Lifetime Award.

Nominees are expected to demonstrate a clear commitment to leadership through sustainable practices and forward-thinking policymaking. Eligible candidates include individuals, small enterprises, countries, heads of state, destinations, cities, hotel groups, organizations, ministers, and entrepreneurs.

As noted by Devota Mdachi, co-chair of the Africa Tourism Leadership Awards, the 2026 nomination window serves as a prestigious platform to honour the pioneers transforming the African travel landscape.

“We wish to welcome the continent’s travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation community to participate in the nominations for the Africa Tourism Leadership Awards 2026. These awards celebrate the continent’s best of the best and true trailblazers, who have through their work and leadership shown excellence, shaped policies, made meaningful changes and brought lasting impact to the continent’s tourism industry. This is the moment when the world and especially the African continent says ‘I see you and appreciate what you have done!’ We encourage travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation leaders from the private and public sector to join us and participate in celebrating our African tourism heroes,” Mdachi said.

The winners will be announced at the 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (www.tourismleadershipforum.africa), which is hosted by the Limpopo Tourism Agency under the guidance and partnership of Africa Tourism Partners.

The ATLF serves as a vital gathering of industry thought leaders aimed at advancing entrepreneurship, women and youth empowerment, and recognizing the industry’s most impactful change-makers. As a Pan-African forum, the ATLF and its associated awards provide a platform for advocacy, knowledge sharing, and the development of firm, implementable actions designed to stimulate intra-Africa travel growth.

The 2026 edition of the ATLF is expected to draw over 350 physical delegates and 2, 000 virtual

attendees. Renowned speakers from across the globe will deliver a content-rich programme through dedicated ministerial, CEO, and executive sessions. Discussions will also focus on strengthening Brand Africa’s competitiveness through futuristic approaches to bidding and hosting association meetings.