African Resilience Summit

The African Resilience Summit, organised by The Resilience Council in partnership with the Africa Travel Association, took place during the 42nd the  World Tourism Conference  in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 24th, 2019.

The summit will focus on key challenges for the 54 countries of the continent in differentiating themselves from the misconception of “Africa as a country”. The Summit will highlight the importance of preparedness and planning for sustainability as well as addressing current challenges. Sessions will cover topics such as tourism in government, security, risk management and media perspectives whilst discussing the opportunities tourism provides as a platform for resiliency and an engine for economic growth and job creation.

The Resilience Council has developed the event with a continental perspective, peppered with global insights. The Summit will share best practices and draw from the global experiences of the speakers to address the multiple challenges faced across Africa. Of particular interest will be how South Africa has marketed itself and the need to expand its product offerings. By looking at South Africa’s opportunities, organisers hope to lay the groundwork for the other countries to differentiate themselves accordingly. In the face of so many serious events across the continent, this timely meeting will complement current training and preparedness activities being done across Africa but identify locales where great strides are being made.

Session 1: The nexus between tourism and government

Tourism is an economic driver of the planet. One in five jobs are in the industry, the GDP’s of many nation states are tied to the performance of their tourism sector, which is also a driver for peace through education and social collaboration. These components are key to building resiliency yet is there a disconnect when governments look at crisis preparedness? Are governments supporting the sector robustly? What can be done to get more recognition and funding from government?

Dr. Taleb Rifai, Co-Chairman, The Resilience Council

Gillian Saunders, Director, Gillian Saunders Consultancy

 

Session 2: Security and risk management – how to plan for resiliency

What constitutes a crisis, how to prepare for it and what are the essential things to know?  One thing everyone agrees upon when talking about preparedness is that planning is essential.  Drafting a plan is the result of the exercise but the actual planning and training are the critical ingredient.  With various types of crisis from man-made to natural disasters, what are the key elements to ensuring a country or a business are ready for when they are confronted by crisis?  Are governments connecting the dots?

Dr. Lee Miles, Professor of Crisis and Disaster Management, Bournemouth University UK

Simon Hardern, CEO, Kenyon International Emergency Services

Magcino Gule, Senior Manager: Travel Insurance, Old Mutual

Alain St Ange, Former Minister of Tourism & Culture, Seychelles

 

Session 3: Crisis of confidence – the importance of crisis communication

The Ethiopian 302 disaster in March 2019, took 157 souls, Boeing share prices dropped 25-35% and the FAA sat on its hands before grounding the 737 MAX. New equipment issues have surfaced and no trust or brand credit is available for Boeing. What role do the associations or authorities play and what trust has remained in these institutions? Crises are not only born out of natural disasters or terrorism. When these events happen how should companies respond? How are crisis communications handled and what are the lessons learned and still being learned relative to the Ethiopian event?

Will Jordan, Investigative Journalist, Al Jazeera

Robert Kamau Kamiti, Chief Tourism Officer, Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife

Gail Moaney, Managing Partner, Director, Finn Partners

 

Session 4: Cape Town’s water crisis, extreme measures for extreme success

Since 2015 water levels were declining. At the same time dam levels were not being replenished, population numbers were increasing, and usage forecasts indicated the city of Cape town’s water would run out. The crisis hit epic proportions in summer 2017 and action was swift and severe through 2018 when the situation was stabilized. We’ll hear from one of the architects – what was done, what lessons were learned and what framework can others take away for similar situations in the making.

Tim Harris, CEO, Wesgro

Jane Madden, Managing Partner, Global Sustainability & Social Impact, Finn Partners

 

Session 5: Data Driving Change

For the 5th year in a row, Johannesburg has been identified by Mastercard’s Global Destination Cities Report as the number one city in Africa, wherein 162 cities are ranked in terms of visitor volume and spend. What does the data say from Euromonitor or from the City itself? How has Johannesburg had such success? Does the city’s success help to distinguish South Africa from Africa? How does data help cities to differentiate and how can it be applied on the continent to build brand diversity for the countries and bust the “continental blur’? What data is available and do tourist boards, tour operators and DMO’s maximize the value of published data? Can travel businesses learn to use data for developing their business strategy?

Christele Chokossa, Analyst, Euromonitor International

David Klippenstein, Government Data and Services Lead, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard

 

Afternoon Keynote: African biodiversity and sustainable development: tourism and wildlife

Absolute to Africa’s brand is her natural beauty and wildlife. But poaching, climate change and man have threatened natural habitats. Over 1 million animal species are set to go extinct. How can the countries of Africa unite in conservation or sustainable programs to protect the animals as well as the natural beauty? The key is working within local communities by establishing job and educational opportunities. What partnerships are available and how to bridge the divide in opposing viewpoints? How can tourism help in this complex debate?

Beks Ndlouv, CEO, African Bush Camps

Felicia Letang Mogakane, Sargent and Media Liaison Officer, Black Mambas

 

Session 6: Alternative marketing strategies for long term sustainability

How can destinations ensure long term sustainable tourism and build in resiliency in case of crisis? The strategic development of community lands brings together the engagement of local communities, tourism and education with resiliency by creating a cycle of success that benefits all. Likewise, affinity marketing, technology and social media platforms feed into these projects through positive narratives which build differentiation amongst destinations. Done correctly, these combinations minimize the negative impact of any crisis.

Jennifer Tombaugh, President, TAUCK

Franck Olivier Kra, Editor in Chief, E-Biz Africa Review

Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold, Chief Destineer, Destinate

Jerry Mabena, CEO, Thebe Tourism Group

 

Session 7: South Africa’s uniqueness: It’s not just about wine and safaris

South Africa has a well established reputation for wine and safari but new and exciting offerings are enhancing her image with innovative programs such as “the Indigenous Experience”, “Good Times in a Box” or “I Do Tourism” – are these initiatives driving a “new South African image” ? Improving acceptance amongst locals? Countering global concerns about crime? Since safaris are such a large part of African tourism, how can they contribute differently?

Gail Moaney, Managing Partner, Director, Finn Partners

Wayde Davy, Deputy Director, Apartheid Museum

Lelanie Cajiao, Managing Director, Nalah Africa

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO, TBSCA

Bheki Dube, Founder & CEO, Curiocity Hostels

 

Session 8: The media’s perspective: Don’t shoot the messenger

Everyone in the travel industry wants to work better with the media. Tourism offices suffer from time and budgetary constraints.  This session will give the media’s perspective on the job they are trying to do and how members of the media can work more effectively with them, particularly in times of crisis.

Jillian Blackbeard, Regional Director Africa, WTTC

Maggie Mutesi, Presenter, BBC Africa

Will Jordan, Investigative Journalist, Al Jazeera

Abiola Oke, CEO, Okay Africa

Ishay Govender-Ypma, Journalist