Women in Tourism Southern Africa (WITSA) is a Forum that advocates for Women in the Tourism Value Chain sector in the Region. It drives the programmes that promotes Tourism within the Region under the auspices of SADC Secretariat and Women of Value Southern Africa.
It is currently housed under Women of Value Southern Africa, an organization in partnership with SADC Secretariat and AU-APRM to implement women economic empowerment in the Region.
WITSA hosts annual event within the Region and works with key stakeholders in the Tourism Sector including the women in Tourism Associations.
Its main focus is to bring key stakeholders in the sector together to forge strategic partnerships and contribute to the regional economic growth.
The Forum hosts Annual Summits, Exhibitions and Intra-Regional Trade and Investment Tours. The annual event will rotate within the SADC Member States through a bidding process. The bidding process will be done during the Summit on annual basis.
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
WITSA will be hosting its first Annual Summit and Exhibition.
The 2022 three-day Inaugural Annual Summit is planned to take place in South Africa from 15 – 17 September
The three-day Summit will host the SADC Stakeholders Dialogue Session, Leadership Roundtable, Regional Women in Tourism Awards Launch, Plenary Sessions, Exhibitions, Culture and Heritage Celebration, to name a few.
The Summit is envisaged to host between 250 – 350 delegates and is to be attended by Women in Business, Local & International Buyers, Exhibitors, Ministers of Tourism, Tourism Boards Directors, SADC Secretariat Directors, AU-APRM Executives, Corporate Executive and Managers, Funding Institutions Managers, and Academia.
Since September is Heritage Month in South Africa, the three-day Summit includes a Culture and Heritage Day Celebration on the third day where South Africa and other African Countries will showcase their cultures, heritage and local cuisines.
OBJECTIVES OF THE SUMMIT
Gather key tourism stakeholders together to create an ecosystem environment in developing Women and Youth in Tourism
Create opportunity for businesses in the sector’s value chain to showcase their products and services
Platform for dialogues around current and future that will contribute towards the sustainability of the tourism sector
Platform to recognize women and stakeholders on the role they play in the Regional Tourism through annual awards
Create awareness on SADC Industrialisation Programme with the focus on women in the Southern African Region
EVENT FORMAT
SUMMIT
Leaders Dialogue – Women in Tourism Southern Region Awards Launch
Presentations And Panel Discussions
Master Class
Gala Dinner
Award Launch
EXHIBITIONS
Exhibitions: Pop-up Markets
B2B Meetings
EXCURSIONS
LEISURE, CULTURE & HERITAGE TOURS
PROGRAM
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
WITSA INAUGURAL & SEMINAR
SEMINAR & CLOSING CEREMONY GALA DINNER
CULTURE & HERITAGE CELEBRATION
15 Sep 2022
16 Sep 2022
17 Sep 2022
SESSION 1: 08:15 – 10:15
Opening & Introduction: SADC Secretariat
Acknowledgement of guests: SA Tourism
Purpose Of The Conference: WOVSA
Speech: Minister of Tourism SADC Executive Secretary
Key Note Address: Minister Of Tourism South Africa
Leadership Roundtable: Ministers and Women in Leadership: Identify the Current State of Women in Tourism Post Covid19 and Uncover Regional Opportunities
Regional Ecosystem Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme Launch
Session 2
Panel Discussion
Rebranding and Marketing Southern Africa Regional Tourism
Technology Trends in Tourism Industry
Niche Tourism Value Chain Sector Opportunities: Bleisure, Creative Tourism, Agri-Tourism, Sports and Religious Tourism
Plan of action
SESSION 3: 14:00 – 16:30
Masterclasses
Session 3: CLOSING CEREMONY GALA DINNER
WITSA AWARDS Launch
Announcement of Women in Tourism Southern Africa Steering Committee
BIDDING & Announcement of 2023 Women in Tourism Southern Africa Summit Hosting Country
STRATEGIC PARTNERS & KEY STAKEHOLDERS
National Department of Tourism
Regional Ministries of Women
Regional MinistrIES of Tourism
SADC Secretariat
UNWTO
AU-APRM
AfCTA
Government Agencies
Regional Women Associations
Tourism Boards and Associations
South Africa Women Association
Women in Tourism South Africa
South Africa Provincial Tourism Boards
Women of Value Southern Africa
Airlines
Financiers
Private Sectors (Regional Businesses)
SMMEs / Co-ops
Academic Institutions
Business Associations
Exhibitors
Airlines
WHO TO ATTEND
Ministers of Tourism
SADC Secretariat
UNWTO Africa Regional Director
AU-APRM: CEO
Tourism Boards Directors, CEOs and Executive
Women of Value Southern Africa: Executive Committee
Regional Women Association: Members
Government Agencies Representatives
Private Sectors Executives
Financiers Representatives
SMMEs / Co-ops
Academic Institutions Professors
Business Associations CEOs and Members
Exhibitors
Buyers
VALUE PROPOSITION
Platform to empower Women in Tourism Value Chain.
Platform to open dialogues amongst key stakeholders to share current trade and investment opportunities in the Region through tourism.
B2B meetings and networking opportunities with local and international potential investors and buyers
Increased regional brand visibility
Media interview opportunities during the event.
Promotion during media interviews
Enterprise & Supplier Development opportunities for local SMMEs
Platform for information sharing
Local culture, heritage & tourism promotions
ECONOMIC SPIN-OFFS
Accommodation
Please click here to book your accommodation at Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre OR Tambo. Private access code is NKPI22