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Head of the Marketing and Communications Unit: National College of Tourism, Tanzania
Co-Chairperson Africa Tourism Leadership Awards, Zimbabwe
Chief Executive, City & Safari International, Botswana
Chief Executive, Kenya Tourism Federation, Kenya
Director of Audit: Wealth, Investment Management and Insurance, Absa Group, South Africa & Project Lead, Africa Tourism Innovation Hub
Chairperson, Innovation Challenge And Africa Tourism Innovation Hub, Kenya
Founder and CEO, Experiential Travel Africa, Tanzania
CEO, Africa Tourism Association, USA
Corporate Legal Counsel/Board Secretary Botswana Tourism Organisation, Botswana
Director of Tourism and Gaming in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia
CEO, Malawi Tourism Council
Founder & Director of Inspire Tomorrow Consulting, Seychelles
Chief Executive Officer, CPL Events, United Kingdom & Cape Verde
Dean and Senior Lecturer at Strathmore University’s School of Tourism and Hospitality, Kenya
Manager of Business Development @ Mastercard | Grading Assessor Accreditation CATHSETA, South Africa
Chief Executive Officer, Kenya, Association of Travel Agents (KATA), Kenya
President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies
Executive Director of the Buganda Heritage & Tourism Board (BHTB), Uganda
Media Contact
Email: info@africatourismpartners.com
Rejoice Chishamba- Projects Co-ordinator
Email: rejoice@africatourismpartners.com
Head of the Marketing and Communications Unit:College of Tourism, Tanzania
Devota Kasanda Mdachi is a name which is well known in Tanzania, especially in the Tourism Industry for the role she played in seeing that Tanzania is placed high on the list of the world’s best African destinations.
With more than 28 years’ experience of working in the Tourism industry, Ms. Mdachi has held a number of positions both in the Public and Private sectors.
She started working with Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) in 1994 and was first employed as a Tourist Information Officer. Over the period of 10 years she rose high up the organisation’s ladder to the positions of Senior Tourist Information Officer ; Principal Tourist Information Officer and Head of the Tourist Information Centre , Dar-es-salaam and Principal Marketing Officer. In June 2011,Ms.Mdachi was appointed Director of Marketing of the Tanzania Tourist Board and later was appointed as the Managing Director of the Tanzania Tourist Board in 2015. Ms. Mdachi is the first Tanzania woman to hold the positions of Director of Marketing (2011-2015) and Managing Director of the Tanzania Tourist Board (2015-2021).
Ms. Mdachi worked with Abercrombie and Kent (Arusha) as a Tour Manager (1993-1994)) and at The College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM,Moshi, Mweka) as a Lecturer in Tourism Marketing and Events Management (2021-2023). Currently, Ms. Mdachi is teaching at the National College of Tourism, Dar –es-salaam and the Ag. Head of Department of the Events Department.
Ms. Mdachi has also worked as an Intern at the Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA), under the Marketing and Communications Department.
Ms. Mdachi has also been a Board member of The Tanzania Women’s Bank, Tanzania National Parks and Tan Roads.
Through her position and undertakings over the years, Ms. Mdachi has been able to be a great role model to young girls and women in Tanzania , especially in the tourism sector. She is a member of The Association of Women In Tourism in Tanzania (AWOTTA) and Guardian and Advisor of the newly formed Tanzania Association of Women Tour Operators (TAWTO).
She has received a number of awards and was nominated as one of the recipients of the ‘Nyerere Golden Awards’ by The Mwl. J.K Nyerere Golden Awards in Science and Technology Achievements (2014 and 2015).
In 2016 , the CEO Global (Pty) LTD a South African based company, awarded Ms.Mdachi an award as Tanzania’s Country winner in the category of “Government Employed Official Sector of CEO Global’s Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government”
Women in Management Tanzania, recognized her as one of the Top 50 Women in Management in Tanzania in 2019 and was also recognized by the AKWAABA African Travel Market and ATQ News as one of the recipients of the African Travel 100 Women Awards in 2019. In 2021 she was recognized by Coca Cola Beverages Africa and awarded as one of the recipients of the The Mwanamke Shujaa Leadership Award.
Ms. Mdachi holds a BA degree in International Relations and Advanced French Language from the University of Dar-es-salaam (1991); M.A in Tourism from the Open University of Tanzania (2008) and a Post Graduate Certificate in Tourism from the International School of Tourism, Rome Italy (2000).
Co-Chairperson Africa Tourism Leadership Awards, Zimbabwe
Mr Givemore Chidzidzi is the Chief Operating Officer of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), the National Tourism Organization of the Republic of Zimbabwe under the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry. Established through the Tourism Act (1996), the ZTA is responsible for tourism marketing and development.
Givemore has 36 years’ experience in the tourism industry. He holds an MBA in Marketing from the City University, Bellevue, Washington, USA and a Bachelor of Business Studies Degree in Tourism and Transportation from the University of Applied Sciences, Worms, Germany.
Director - Advisory Services / BDO South Africa
Christelle has more than 23 years’ consulting experience and carries out and heads project teams for macro research, economic impact assessments, valuations, marketing and organisational strategies, market feasibility studies, financial viability assessments, business case assessments and transaction advisory assignments.
Christelle has also facilitated numerous workshops and large meetings and is proficient in using a range of facilitation approaches and tools.
Chief Executive, City & Safari International, Botswana
Tshepiso Mganga holds position of Chief Executive- City & Safari International, a Destination
Management Company, which she co-founded in 2017.
Tshepiso has a cumulative and diverse 15 years experience serving in different portfolios mostly in the
areas of tourism marketing, destination management & consultancy.
Tshepiso previously served as Marketing Executive – Local and Africa Markets at Botswana Tourism
where she led market development of the Botswana tourism product in the Domestic and African markets. Prior to that, she held position of Marketing Manager at Cresta President Hotel.
Tshepiso is seated on several regional and International Tourism Associations & Committees; Society for Incentives Travel Excellence (SITE) Africa chapter, Africa’s Eden MICE committee to name a few. She also adjudicates in some of the prominent local and international fairs and exhibitions, and has been invited as a speaker, panelist and as a presenter to various academic and business events.
Tshepiso volunteers some of her time to mentoring youth tourism operators as well as aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to establish businesses in the tourism sector. She is founder of the Tourism Business Coaching & Mentorship Programme, to date the Programme successfully mentored over 70 Tourism businesses in Botswana.
Tshepiso holds educational qualification in Business Project Management from the University of Cape Town, and in Marketing from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Her favorite quote “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S Truman
Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Tourism Federation, Kenya
Susan Ongalo is the Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) since 2015 to date) – the umbrella body for the private sector in tourism charged with advocacy for a conducive business environment for the tourism sector. She bags a wealth of work experience, with over 12 years in tourism and hospitality.
Professional Achievement
Mrs. Ongalo is a Public Relations and business manager by training. She has over the years added to her knowledge feathers in Advocacy, Management, Customer Relations, Disaster Management, Marketing and Leadership acumens.
She was instrumental in the setting up of the Secretariat/Administrative department at the Kenya Tourism Federation, as well as oversee the operations of the Safety and Communication Centre at KTF.
She serves on a number of committees and boards in the tourism sector:
Academic Qualifications
Professional Engagements
Has been a participant, presenter and panelist in various forums with a focus to tourism, travel and hospitality which included:
Director of Audit: Wealth, Investment Management and Insurance, Absa Group, South Africa & Project Lead, Africa Tourism Innovation Hub
He is the Director of Group Internal Audit: Investment Management and Insurance at Absa Bank South Africa and an academic with a vested interest in the Futures as a discipline. He has presented on this subject matter at several conferences and organisations and has received numerous accolades. He is a PhD Candidate (Wits) and holds an MBA (Stellenbosch), MCOM (Wits), BSc Hons Management (UJ), BSc IT & Mathematics qualifications.
Chairperson, Innovation Challenge And Africa Tourism Innovation Hub, Kenya
With over 25 years of experience in the international Hospitality & Tourism industry, he has been a prominent presence in the field. He is currently leading the commercial activities for Portier Technologies, a company that provides the industry with technology which enhances the guest experience and enhances engagement with the hotel.
Barry was chosen as one of the Global 100 most influential leaders in the industry during the Global Mice Congress in Mumbai this year and has been a regular invited speaker at several international Hospitality & Tourism conferences around the world.
With proven commercial understanding, product, and business development skills, he has also been appointed to the adjudication panel for the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation competition. And will act as a mentor to one of the winners.
Founder and CEO, Experiential Travel Africa, Tanzania
Gumbo has captivated dozens of projects and engagements around the world. His engagements in Experiential Travel ,Strategic Management ,commercial strategies, Sustainability Leadership, Management Consulting and humorous hands-on experience
are crafted and empowered with an uplifting authentic message about the power of a growth mindset and how to live life at peak performance levels.
He has gained experience in research, strategic management, corporate negotiation, travel and tourism, marketing, aerospace strategy consulting and conservation. Gumbo’s mission is to implement objectives and goals as well as setting expected performance standards for the workforce . He helps to re-energize the human spirit so as can transform negativity to envision new possibilities, build stronger teams and create ripple effects of lasting personal and professional success in developing competences within trade, including product development, marketing activities and building relationships with airlines and travel brands as well as Tourism Boards.
Gumbo engages with the audience with real-life & practical examples allowing him to communicate and appeal to a culturally-diverse public. He had worked, partnered and consulted with the world acclaimed brands in strategic research, conservation, aerospace, travel and tourism such as ICURA-International Community University Research Alliance, Related, Aviareps, University of New York-School Centre for Global A 1 airs, Global Explorers, East Africa Community, UNDP, TRAFFIC International, USAID, BBC London, World Travel Market-Africa, Jane Goodall Institute, Wildlife Conservation Society, Best Ever Food Review Show, Lost Creator Academy, The hunt Management, Wilderness Medical Associates International, Zimbabwe Tourism Board, Kenya Tourism Board, Tanzania Tourism Board, South African Tourism, Air Tanzania Corporation Ltd, Auric Air, Serengeti Safari Marathon, Africa Tourism Partners, Rwanda Development Board, Association of Tanzanian Travel Operators and Tanzania Private Sector Foundation.
He is the Founder and CEO of Experiential Travel Africa and currently a Regional Director-East Africa at Africa Tourism Partners Gumbo is a firm believer that service skills are transferable and essential to both your personal and professional life.
CEO - Africa Tourism Association, USA
Naledi K. Khabo is a global strategy leader with 25 years’ experience across Operations, Marketing & Technology. Naledi’s has a professional background in management consulting and digital marketing. Naledi began her career as analyst at Accenture, specializing in implementing global business and technology solutions, along with re-engineering business processes. Naledi later joined ICED Media, a pioneer agency in the digital space. At ICED Media, she was responsible for marrying technology
and innovation with comprehensive integrated marketing strategies to deliver measurable results for their clients. She also developed proprietary analytics reporting tool which was the first of its kind quantifying the effectiveness of digital campaigns. Following her tenure at ICED Media, in addition to serving as a strategic consultant and product development lead for a number of technology startups, she served as Chief of Staff at the United States Small Business Administration My Brothers Keeper Millennial Entrepreneurial Initiative. My Brothers Keeper was former United States’ President Barack
Obama’s national initiative to increase the awareness of millennial entrepreneurship in the areas of music, fashion, film, and sports.
In her role as CEO of the Africa Tourism Association, she drives the organization’s mission to promote travel and tourism to Africa and strengthening intra-Africa partnerships. During her tenure at ATA,
Naledi has led the organization through significant operational changes including a complete re-branding of the organization and launching several new digital platforms to serve the hospitality and tourism industry. Most recently, Naledi has made driving inclusive engagement and DEI initiatives across the travel and tourism industry a priority. She is co-founder of Travel Is Better In Color – a platform celebrating diverse storytelling and storytellers across the travel industry – and The Collective, a global group of Black travel writers and reporters, lifestyle and hospitality publicists, magazine owners, TV personalities, and industry leaders.
Corporate Legal Counsel/Board Secretary Botswana Tourism Organisation, Botswana
A corporate governance, compliance, contract management, people management and board secretarial legal practitioner who is robust, adaptable, committed and intrigued at accomplishing and excelling beyond general societal & professional expectations, as well as set standards and norms.
Director of Tourism and Gaming in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia
Business Strategist, Travel and Tourism Industry Expert, Product innovation and development Expert, Presenter, Negotiator, Speaker, Moderator, GALLUP Certified Strengths & Talent Development Coach, Mentor and Employee Engagement Expert. His talent DNA are Responsibility, Strategic, Futuristic, Focus, Self – Assurance.
He is a Director of Tourism and Gaming in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. He has over the years developed and launched many hospitality, tourism services & products and events. He has vast executive management and Board experience having worked as a Senior Manager and Board of Director in the travel, tourism, hospitality sector and medical fund industries in both private and public sector over the past 25 years.
He is experienced in pragmatic strategic and tactical business management in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry, strategic human capital, operations management, strategic marketing, product innovation and development, tactical corporate leadership, policy design & development, strategy formulation & implementation, employee relations and engagement, strength coaching and talent development, etc. He holds a Masters of Business Administration (MsM), Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Advanced Diploma in Business Administration and Diploma in Marketing Management. He is certified in Corporate Governance and Certified GALLUP Clifton-Strengths Coach.
Executive Director, Malawi Tourism Council, Malawi
IATA/UFTAA accredited consultant in International Travel and Tourism, with over thirteen years’ experience in Senior management. An entrepreneur, travel sales and Marketing expert. The Current Executive Director of the Malawi Tourism Council.
Founder & Director of Inspire Tomorrow Consulting, Seychelles
Didier Dogley is an experienced sustainable development consultant, who has studied in both Germany and the United Kingdom at graduate and postgraduate levels.
He started his long career in the field of environment back in 1989, when he was employed by the Ministry of Environment. He served in the same ministry until April 2018 when he was appointed the Minister responsible for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine. Before that he had held the posts of Director General for Nature Conservation, Principal Secretary of Environment, Special Advisor to the Minister of Environment and Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Energy.
During his tenure as Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr. Dogley was responsible for the tourism department including the marketing agency, airports, seaports and marine safety. He held the portfolio for two and a half years i.e. until November 2020. Both 2018 and 2019 were record years for visitor arrivals and receipts in revenue from the industry in Seychelles. As minister, he spearheaded the review of government policies and strategic plans for the various departments under his responsibility including the implementation of structural changes within the marine safety organisation. These changes were done with the aim of responding to the various sectors needs thereby ensuring greater effectiveness. The last 15 years of his career in the Government of Seychelles provided him with a sound knowledge of socio-economic and development challenges and opportunities Small Island Developing States like Seychelles face and a clear insight into government policy, legislative and strategic planning processes and mechanisms.
Over the years Mr. Dogley has developed outstanding negotiation skills, solid leadership in consultative and participative processes, excellent analytical skills and in-depth knowledge of sustainable development issues with a focus on the environment, tourism and the Blue economy. He has extensive experience in working with non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
Mr. Dogley is the founder and Director of Inspire Tomorrow Consulting LTD Company. Since 2020 he has provided his services to a wide range of national and multilateral organisations.
Chief Executive Officer, CPL Events, United Kingdom & Cape Verde
Linda Pereira is the senior partner and CEO of the L&I Communications Group. In additionto her long and respected career as one of the most influential voices in the Meeting Industry, she is also Executive Director of CPL Meetings & Events. Respected internationally as a speaker, consultant, strategic communication expert, writer and as an educator, she has been an invited speakerin over 149 countries on all continents.
She is an expert in communication and corporate diplomacy, and has a vast experience in cross-cultural communication strategies, localisation, and public speakingand as a master of ceremonies.
She has worked on the major events which marked the last 30 years of modern history, from World EXPOs, to Football and Sports Championships, various EU Presidencies and major political events. She is also an invited lecturer at five different international Universities where she lectures strategic meetings management and corporate diplomacy and protocol.
She is absolutely passionate about associations and sits on a variety of international association boards herself. Linda is also a consultant to a variety of international Governments and associations. She was considered one of Portugal’s five most influential people in the industry and has received various international education awards as well as the medal of honour for responsible entrepreneurship for her commitment to promoting culture and heritage and for Social Responsibility initiatives.
She has also been voted business woman of the year for three consecutive years. She sits on various Advisory Boards, and Education Committees and presides over three- She is also the Chair of the Association World Congress for 2022. She was president of the Global Council for Women in Leadership for two mandates. She is currently special advisor to the Minister for the Economy of Cape Verde and sits on the Advisory Council for the Leader Magazine and the Venues of Excellence Certification Board. She also sits on the Board of The Portugal-India and Portugal-Holland Chambers of Commerce. She presides the Crossroads platform focused on up-scaling and attracting investment for start-up businesses. She sits on the Portugal Chapter of Women In Tech, a Global Association. She is a business development consultant to the MICE business sector in Saudi Arabia, Croatia, Slovenia, Macau, Georgia, Ghana and Cape Verde.
She is currently a member of the Women’s Africa PCO Alliance. In 2021 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award for the MICE Industry. Linda has recently been elected one of the Global 100 women leaders.
She considers her two daughters as her greatest achievement.
Dean and Senior Lecturer at Strathmore University’s School of Tourism and Hospitality, Kenya
Dr. David Chiawo, Ph.D., is the Dean and Senior Lecturer at Strathmore University’s School of Tourism and Hospitality. An ecologist by training, Dr. Chiawo has extensive expertise in biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism development, climate change, land-use change, and ecosystem services. He possesses a multidisciplinary skill set in sustainable development and is actively engaged in multi-stakeholder projects, integrating sustainability principles and policies to promote sustainable tourism development in Kenya.
Dr. Chiawo’s scholarly research utilizes innovative approaches and models to effectively communicate conservation and sustainability needs to policymakers, the public, and the private sector, driving positive change. His leadership in climate change adaptation projects has bolstered the resilience of communities, ecosystems, businesses, and developments in Kenya’s tourism destinations. He is the lead researcher in key projects, including the concluded sustainable tourism innovation and entrepreneurship among youth under the Innovation for African Universities program, conducted in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, and funded by the British Council. He also currently leads a Private Public Development Partnership (PPDP) project focusing on a rights-based approach to community development in Kenya, exploring sustainable community development through the provision of rights-based needs, green skills, climate change resilience, and economic empowerment. Dr. Chiawo is the founder and lead scientist at the Center for Biodiversity Information Development at Strathmore University. He also heads the executive program on Climate Leadership for Africa, which advances climate change leadership through policy reviews, climate risk assessments, research, capacity building, carbon market auditing, science communication, collaboration, and resource mobilization. Dr. Chiawo is committed to addressing real-world climate challenges affecting communities, biodiversity, businesses, and developments, promoting integrated and sustainable development across Africa.
Manager of Business Development @ Mastercard | Grading Assessor Accreditation CATHSETA, South Africa
I am a Business Development Manager at Mastercard, where I leverage my 20+ years of experience and expertise in the leisure and travel industry to drive growth and innovation across the African continent. I create and execute strategies that increase market share, revenue, and customer satisfaction for Mastercard and its partners in the hospitality sector.
A proven track record of generating over $300 million USD in sales revenue, developing and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, and identifying and capitalizing on new business opportunities. I am passionate about delivering high-quality services and solutions that meet the needs and expectations of my clients and partners. I am also a seasoned speaker, leader, mentor, and coach, who enjoys sharing my insights and knowledge with diverse audiences and inspiring others to achieve their goals.
Chief Executive Officer, Kenya, Association of Travel Agents (KATA), Kenya
A Skilled, Passionate And Self-Driven Association Manager Who Has Spent The Last 15 Years In Senior Leadership Of National And International Membership Organisations. Whether Designing New Projects, Managing Voluntary Boards, Leading Lean Staff, Mobilizing Resources, Dealing With The Media, Negotiating With Partners And Stakeholders Or Meeting The Ever Increasing Demands Of Members, I Do It With Skill, Style And Stamina.
The End Result- Transformation.
President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies
Mrs. Susan Akon Akporiaye an entrepreneur per excellence. A very focused and passionate person, a go-getter by nature. A firm believer that whatever one sets his or her mind to achieve is possible with God’s help. These sterling qualities have defined my entrance and contributions to the industry I currently serve in the travel and tourism industry.
Being the Chief Executive of Topaz Travels and Tours Limited (an IATA Certified Travel and Tourism Management Company), I am currently the National President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, the single largest travel and tourism trade body in West Africa. Interestingly, I am the second woman in the over forty seven (47) years history of the Association to attain this position, I consider this an acknowledgement and testament of true leadership qualities and exceptional persona.
In addition to the above, I am also the second deputy President of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, (FTAN).
Contributions to the Industry-
Topaz Travels and Tours Limited in Abuja, is a company I conceived and started some seventeen years ago, and the company continues to thrive through diligence, value for customer satisfaction and professional knowledge. With my leadership, Topaz Travels has received several awards for astounding performance over the years.
Executive Director of the Buganda Heritage & Tourism Board (BHTB), Uganda
Albert is a dynamic leader in the tourism development and heritage sector, currently serving as the Executive Director of the Buganda Heritage & Tourism Board (BHTB). With a solid background as the former CEO of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators, he has distinguished himself as an expert in tourism development, marketing and quality assurance.
Holding a Master’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Albert is a passionate advocate for heritage/cultural tourism, dedicated to showcasing the rich culture and heritage of Buganda Kingdom and Uganda to the global market. He loves Football, golf and photography.