The Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA) proudly wrapped up its 2025 Global Forum this week at the Gran Meliá Arusha, bringing together 100 industry leaders, buyers, suppliers, and conservation advocates from across Africa and North America.
Over three days of programming, participants engaged in thought-provoking sessions, more than 900 one-on-one B2B meetings through APTA Connect, and immersive offsite experiences that highlighted East Africa’s leadership in conservation, community, and tourism innovation.
Strong Attendance & Industry Representation
This year’s Forum was one of the best-attended in APTA history, with a diverse mix of buyers from North America and suppliers representing over a dozen African nations.
Among the buyers in attendance were Borton Overseas, EF Ultimate Break, Fora Travel, Intrepid Travel, Frosch/Luxe Travel, Adventure Travelers Society, and Cruise Planners, reflecting the strength of North American demand for African travel experiences.
On the supplier side, notable participation came from Cottar’s Safaris, Elewana Collection, Nomad Tanzania, Singita, JW Marriott Masai Mara, Visit East Africa, Frankfurt Zoological Society, Kopelion, Shanga, and Africa’s Eden.
The APTA Executive Board was represented by Todd Neuman, Marion Valderrama, David DiGregorio, Angela Miller, Melissa Schreiber, Jessie Tate, Kiki Paris, and Jane Behrend.
Inspiring Program Highlights
Highlights of the agenda included:
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Louise Cottar on regenerative tourism and the 4Cs framework.
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Simon Kiarie unveiling the Visit East Africa cross-border initiative.
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Tehsin Takim sharing Five Leadership Lessons from an Ancient Tribe.
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Panels on social media and influencer marketing with Ziada Abeid and Justa Lujwangana.
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Saning’o Kimani (Kopelion) on lion coexistence in Ngorongoro.
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Masegeri Rurai (Frankfurt Zoological Society) on the Serengeti De-Snaring Project.
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Dina Wilson (Shanga) on empowering ability through creativity at a Tanzanian social enterprise.
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Dismass Mariki, the Kilimanjaro Mountain Guru, closing with reflections on climbing Kili over 200 times.
Networking was equally vibrant, with evening events ranging from a celebration amongst the coffee trees at Arusha Coffee Lodge to a final gala dinner in the gardens of Four Points by Sheraton Arusha.
Auction Raises $14,000 for APTA’s Mission and Partner Initiatives
The Forum’s auction featured 17 extraordinary packages contributed by members and partners — including stays at Cottar’s 1920s Camp, JW Marriott Masai Mara, Shenton Safaris, and the Zambezi Queen by Mantis — collectively valued at more than $60,000. Thanks to the generosity of participants, the auction raised just under USD $14,000, with proceeds supporting APTA’s mission and partner initiatives across Africa and North America.
Looking Ahead: Victoria Falls 2026
APTA is thrilled to announce that the 2026 Global Forum will take place at Victoria Falls in Livingstone, Zambia, from September 25–27, 2026. This marks the Forum’s return to Southern Africa and promises to be another landmark gathering of the Africa travel trade community.
“The 2025 Forum in Arusha demonstrated the power of collaboration between North American buyers and African suppliers, with conservation and community upliftment at the heart of every discussion,” said David DiGregorio, APTA Director of Marketing. “We are excited to bring this energy and growth to Victoria Falls in 2026, a destination that perfectly embodies Africa’s natural wonder and cross-border spirit.”
