- JLL-backed conference draws top dealmakers to decide what gets funded next
Cape Town, 14 March 2025 – The Africa Tourism Investment Conference – taking place on 10 April at WTM Africa at the CTICC Cape Town and bringing together some of the most influential figures in continental tourism investment – has announced its full speaker line-up.
With significant investment directed toward new hotels, resorts, and infrastructure across Africa in 2025 this year’s event is set to be a defining moment for tourism investment. Backing that momentum, JLL Africa has come on board as the lead sponsor, reinforcing global investor confidence in the region’s growth potential.
Industry leaders confirmed to attend include Sun International CEO Anthony Leeming, Millat Global Holdings CEO Hamza Farooqui, and top financiers from Nedbank and Kasada.
“This is where investors gain the critical insights needed to navigate Africa’s hospitality landscape,” says Megan De Jager, RX Africa Portfolio Director. “We’re not just talking about investment—we’re equipping industry leaders with the knowledge to overcome challenges, secure financing, and make successful, high-impact investments in hotels, resorts, and infrastructure.”
The Heavyweights in the Room
This year’s speaker line-up reads like an investors’ power list. Here’s a sneak peek of some of the speakers:
- Hamza Farooqui (CEO Millat Global Holdings) – Behind some of Southern Africa’s most significant hotel investments and acquisitions.
- Anthony Leeming (CEO Sun International) – Leading large-scale casino, entertainment and resort development.
- Chris du Toit (Project Director Tinley Leisure - Club Med) – Overseeing what is South Africa’s most exciting new resort.
- Anabel Bishop (Chief Economist Investec) – Breaking down economic trends influencing hospitality growth.
- Wayne Godwin (Co-CEO JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group) – A key player driving global hospitality deals in Africa.
- Tim Harris (CEO Helm Growth | Former CEO Wesgro) – A leading voice on creating an attractive investment climate for African tourism.
- CEO and Chairman of SMIT (Morocco) – A key figure driving tourism investment and development in Morocco.
- Amos Wekesa – A successful East African entrepreneur in the lodge, hotel, and safari industry, shaping regional tourism growth.
“This is the calibre of speaker you won’t find at any other African event,” adds De Jager. “We’re talking about people who’ve closed the deals from multiple perspectives”
“Seeing the impressive programme of speakers confirmed for this year’s Africa Tourism Investment Conference, it is clear that this event means business and should not be missed,” said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
“And, as the gateway into Southern Africa – and the region’s undisputed events capital – I am delighted that these important conversations will take place in the Mother City, in our world-class CTICC. We have only scratched the surface of Africa’s tourism potential, and I have no doubt that this conference will shift the sector into a higher gear. I wish all the visiting delegates a very productive Africa Tourism Investment Conference.”
What Will Be Discussed?
Key sessions will focus on what it takes to unlock successful investments in African tourism today. One panel will tackle how investors assess risk versus return, breaking down exactly what financiers look for when backing new projects – from loan terms and equity stakes to branded operators’ impact on financing conditions. Another session will focus on the mechanics behind successful deals, with case studies from those who have led major acquisitions and developments across urban hotels and leisure destinations.
One of the most anticipated discussions will explore whether private safari lodges can become scalable investments – moving beyond boutique passion projects into structured asset classes that attract institutional funding.
Also on the cards is a fireside chat with Club Med that will offer exclusive insights into how they’re structuring their highly anticipated Tinley Manor project.
With investments on the table across resorts, city hotels, safaris, mixed-use developments (and growing investor appetite for diverse assets), the conversations happening here will define where capital flows next.
“Tourism investment is accelerating,” says De Jager. “If you want access to real opportunities – and real decision-makers – you need to be here.”
How to Attend
Registration is now open for accredited investors, developers, and industry stakeholders. Spaces are limited.
Secure your place now: https://www.wtm.com/africa/en-gb/conference-programme/tourism-investment-forum-africa.html
Dates: 10 April 2025
Venue: Global Stage, CTICC Cape Town
-ENDS-
Issued by: Big Ambitions
Contact: Sonnette Fourie
Tel: +27 81 072 2869
Email: sonnette@bigambitions.co.za
Now in its 32nd year, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. Held annually at the Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2024 spanned 12 halls, making it the largest edition to date. The event attracted over 47,000 attendees and more than 35,000 visitors (including 6,000+ high-value buyers) and over 2,550 exhibitors and representatives from over 161 countries. In 2025, ATM will expand to 13 halls, growing across all sectors, and will continue to be a crucial gathering for the global travel and tourism industry. Arabian Travel Market is part of Arabian Travel Week. #ATMDubai
ATM takes place from 28 April to 1 May 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai.
https://www.wtm.com/atm/en-gb.html
Arabian Travel Week is a week-long festival of events from 28 April to 4 May, alongside Arabian Travel Market 2025. Providing a renewed focus for the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector, it includes Start-Up Competition, Influencers' Event, GBTA Business Travel Forums, and ATM Travel Tech. The event also features ATM Buyer Networking and a series of country forums.
https://www.wtm.com/arabian-travel-week/en-gb.html
About RX
RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.com.
About RELX
RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 36,000 people over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. *Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors
World Travel Market (WTM) Portfolio comprises leading travel events and online portals across four continents. The events are Arabian Travel Market, WTM London, WTM Latin America and WTM Africa.
WTM London is the world’s most influential travel & tourism event for the global travel community. The show is the ultimate destination for those seeking a macro view of the travel industry and a deeper understanding of the forces shaping it. WTM London is where influential travel leaders, buyers and high-profile travel companies gather to exchange ideas, drive innovation, and accelerate business outcomes.
Next event: 4 to 6 November 2025 at ExCel London
WTM Latin America is held annually in São Paulo and attracts more than 29,000 tourism professionals during the three-day event. The event offers a qualified content combined with networking and business opportunities. In its most recent edition, in 2024, WTM Latin America maintained its focus on the effective generation of business and managed to secure the early scheduling of more than six thousand meetings that were held between buyers, travel agents, and exhibitors. WTM Latin America contents are available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Next event: 14 – 16 April 2025, Expo Center Norte, São Paulo, Brasil
latinamerica.wtm.com
WTM Africa launched in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2024, WTM Africa facilitated more than 10 thousand unique pre-scheduled appointments, an increase of more than 8% compared to 2023 and welcomed more than 10 thousand visitors (unaudited), 25% more than 2023.
Next event: 9 to 11 April 2025 – Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town http://africa.wtm.com/
About ATW Connect: Africa Travel Week’s digital arm, is a virtual hub packed to the seams with interesting content, industry news and insights, and the opportunity to hear from experts on a variety of topics in our new monthly webinar series. All with the aim to keep all of us in the travel and tourism industry connected. ATW Connect focuses on inbound and outbound markets for general leisure tourism, luxury travel and the MICE/business travel sector as well as travel technology.
WTM Global Hub, is the WTM Portfolio online portal created to connect and support travel industry professionals around the world. The resource hub offers the latest guidance and knowledge to help exhibitors, buyers and others in the travel industry face the challenges of the global coronavirus pandemic. WTM Portfolio is tapping into its global network of experts to create content for the hub. https://hub.wtm.com/
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