The 2024 Conference in Kigali seeks to build on the resolutions made 2023 and will be held under the theme for the event is “Beyond Borders, Beyond Limits.“ This theme has been chosen to reflect the big ideas we have for growing travel agency businesses through expanding intra-Africa travel. The Conference will be a call to action for travel agents to think bigger, break barriers, and create a brighter future for travel in Eastern and Southern Africa.

The inaugural AESATA Travel Agents Conference was held on 22-23 May 2023 in Zanzibar and attracted more than 100 participants from 8 countries in the Eastern and Southern Africa region. Held under the theme “Rebuilding Sustainable and Resilient Travel Agencies in Africa., the conference focused on challenges faced by travel agents and explored strategies for growth and adaptation in a changing business environment. At the end of the conference, participants adopted the Zanzibar Declaration on the future of travel in the region. The resolutions include
Rebuild sustainable travel agencies by embracing adaptive technologies, fostering innovation, and investing in capacity building to ensure sustainability and competitiveness.
Advocate for government support of the Industry to create policies and interventions that facilitate business development, promote sustainable travel and tourism practices, and enhance the overall enabling environment for travel agencies.
Foster collaboration and partnerships among travel agents, industry stakeholders, and associations to promote knowledge sharing, joint marketing initiatives, and mutually beneficial cooperation that drives growth and innovation.
Promote responsible and sustainable tourism by advocating for sustainable tourism policies, and supporting initiatives that protect the environment, promote local communities, and enhance visitor experiences.
Champion for intra-Africa travel by embracing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in order to unlock the full potential of the continent’s travel and tourism industry, create sustainable job opportunities, and foster a deeper sense of unity and cooperation among African nations.
Strengthen AESATA and regional collaboration by committing to recognize AESATA as a regional platform for collaboration, information sharing, and advocacy.