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17-19 June 2025
The Westin Cape Town, South Africa
2025 Agenda
Our Speakers are chosen for their industry knowledge, experience, and the insight they offer.
If you would like to be considered to be part of the speaking faculty for 2025, please contact Tanja Millner
FHS Africa 2025 Agenda
Tuesday 17 June
10:30 - 11:00 30 minutes
Boma Talks
Financing the Future:
Innovative Investment Approaches in Hospitality
11:00 - 14:00 3 hours
Registration Open & Networking Lunch
11:00 - 11:15 15 minutes
Boma Talks
Pipeline Watch:
The Most Anticipated Hospitality Openings
14:00 - 14:10 10 minutes
Knowledge Station
Kick Off :
Welcome to AHIF 2025
14:10 - 14:30 20 minutes
Knowledge Station
Newcomers Welcome
14:15 - 14:30 15 minutes
Innovation Lodge
Unpacking the Models:
Franchise, Manchise, and Management Agreements Demystified
14:30 - 15:30 1 hour
Pioneer Camp
Round Table:
Challenges and Opportunities: Developing Successful Branded Residences in Africa
14:30 - 15:30 1 hour
Innovation Lodge
Debate:
Management Models: In-House vs. Third-Party
14:30 - 16:45 2 hours 15 minutes
Knowledge Station
Solutions Lab by the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
15:00 - 15:30 30 minutes
On-Going Coffee
15:30 - 16:30 1 hour
Pioneer Camp
Round Table:
Who is Buying Branded Residences in Africa and Why?
15:30 - 16:00 30 minutes
Innovation Lodge
What you should know as an investor when investing in African hospitality
16:45 - 17:15 30 minutes
Debate:
White Labels vs. Franchises: Which Model Empowers Owners to Drive Their Vision?
17:00 - 18:00 1 hour
Speed Networking
17:15 - 18:00 45 minutes
Innovation Lodge
Sundowner:
Global Franchise Brands in Africa: Catalyst for Growth or Threat to Local Identity?
Wednesday 18 June
08:00 - 09:00 1 hour
Boma Talks
Registration of CCTIC & Morning Coffee
09:00 - 09:10 10 minutes
Boma Talks
Welcome Remarks
09:10 - 09:30 20 minutes
Boma Talks
Africa's Vision 2030:
How Government Strategies Are Shaping the Future of Hospitality
09:30 - 09:45 15 minutes
Boma Talks
Setting the Scene for Destination & Hotel Development in Africa
Philip Wooller
Senior Director
STR
09:45 - 10:15 30 minutes
Boma Talks
Shaping the Future:
Transforming Africa’s Tourism Potential into Thriving Destinations
10:15 - 10:30 15 minutes
Boma Talks
Navigating Global Risk:
The Economic Impact on Africa's Hospitality Industry
10:20 - 11:00 40 minutes
Boma Talks
Navigating the Risks:
Investment Structures in African Hospitality
11:00 - 11:30 30 minutes
Boma Talks
COFFEE BREAK
11:30 - 12:00 30 minutes
Boma Talks
Fueling Growth:
Construction Strategies for Expanding in Africa
12:00 - 12:30 30 minutes
Boma Talks
Is Africa Overestimating Its Hospitality Workforce Readiness? A Deep Dive into the Skills Gap
12:30 - 12:45 15 minutes
Boma Talks
Fireside Chat:
Leading the Way in Sustainable Tourism Development
12:45 - 13:15 30 minutes
Boma Talks
Preserving Africa’s Biodiversity:
Hospitality’s Role in Conservation Tourism
13:15 - 13:30 15 minutes
The Business of Blended Spaces:
Financing Mixed-Use Developments
13:50 - 14:00 10 minutes
Boma Talks
AHIF 2025 AWARDS
14:00 - 15:00 1 hour
Pioneer Camp
Round Table Discussion:
How airlines and hotels can collaborate to grow travel into more destination in Sub Saharan Africa
14:00 - 15:00 1 hour
Lunch
14:30 - 15:30 1 hour
Innovation Lodge
Redesigning Funding Models in Africa:
Pros and Cons
15:00 - 15:30 30 minutes
Knowledge Station
Financing Hospitality Projects:
Government-Backed Loan Programs and Grants
15:00 - 15:45 45 minutes
Showcase Den
Think Tank:
Growing Regional Travel
15:00 - 16:00 1 hour
Pioneer Camp
Round Table Discussion Dealing with illicit flow of finances in the hotel industry
15:30 - 16:30 1 hour
Knowledge Station
Workshop:
Unlocking Capital: Diverse Funding Sources for Hotel Projects
15:30 - 16:30 1 hour
Innovation Lodge
Debate:
Direct Booking vs. OTA's
15:45 - 16:15 30 minutes
Showcase Den
Fireside Chat:
Efforts to Boost Regional Tourism Hubs in Africa
16:00 - 17:00 1 hour
Pioneer Camp
Round Table:
Government Efforts to Boost Regional Tourism Hubs in Africa
16:30 - 17:30 1 hour
Knowledge Station
Master Class:
Balancing Occupancy and Rate: The Art of Revenue Optimization in African Hotels
17:00 - 18:00 1 hour
Speed Networking
Thursday 19 June
07:30 - 08:30 1 hour
Charity Run
09:00 - 10:00 1 hour
Morning Networking Coffee
10:00 - 10:15 15 minutes
Showcase Den
Welcome to South Africa
10:00 - 10:10 10 minutes
Innovation Lodge
Trend Report:
Latest F&B Trends
10:10 - 10:20 10 minutes
Innovation Lodge
Trend Report:
Wellness Tourism
10:15 - 10:30 15 minutes
Showcase Den
Intelligence Talk:
Tourism Flow in South Africa
10:15 - 11:15 1 hour
Pioneer Camp
RoundTable:
ESG Across Africa: Adapting Global Standards to Local Contexts
10:30 - 11:00 30 minutes
Showcase Den
South Africa’s Hospitality Future:
Pipeline and Performance Overview
10:30 - 11:30 1 hour
Innovation Lodge
The Battle:
Invest in F&B vs. Wellness
11:00 - 11:30 30 minutes
Showcase Den
Empowering Regions:
Destination Development as South Africa’s Tourism Catalyst
11:30 - 12:30 1 hour
Pioneer Camp
Round Table:
Designing and developing eco-friendly hotels and resorts that align with global sustainability standards.
11:30 - 12:00 30 minutes
Innovation Lodge
Preserving Heritage Through Food:
The Role of Gastronomy in Celebrating African Culture
12:00 - 12:30 30 minutes
Innovation Lodge
Food Festivals in Africa:
Catalysts for Gastronomy Tourism and Economic Growth
14:00 - 16:00 2 hours
Student Session
14:00 - 16:00 2 hours
Offsite Visits