Africa Hotel Investment Forum (ahif) Podcast

Despite seeing an 18% increase for tourism in the Seychelles last year, he raises the following points:   Is that enough? Will that sustain Seychelles in the long term?   Recalling the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup song ‘This Is Africa’, Minister St.Ange says that this is a message that speaks clear to him, and hopes that it will help to bring Africa to the next level in unity.   In the podcast, Minister St. Ange addresses the challenges around air connectivity remains a major challenge, and that making it easier for international airlines to connect with Africa will help to boost tourism across the continent.   This podcast is part of an official series supporting the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF). To attend, please visit www.africa-conference.com.

In particular he addresses the portrayal of Africa as one big country, entirely conflicted by problems of famine, corruption, poverty and instability.   Since gaining its Independence in 1990, Namibia has diversified the scope of what it has to offer, thus gaining momentum as a conference, filming and overall tourist destination.   The next step is to debunk the dated notions that currently exist and push forward true perceptions of Africa, by showing that it has more to offer than what is currently depicted through stereotypes.   This podcast is part of an official series supporting the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF). To attend, please visit www.africa-conference.com.

Speaking at the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) Brand Africa Conference in Accra, 17 year-old social media guru, Rachel Markham sits for a quick chat with Matthew Weihs, Managing Director of Bench Events.   Her website, The Africa The Media Never Shows You intends to push and encourage Africans to join together in fighting back stereotypes and investing more into Africa.   Her campaign’s Twitter page @showcase_africa, showcases Africa’s rich culture and natural beauty using the hashtag #TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowsYou.   In this podcast, Rachel shares her thoughts on the need for Africa to move forward as a continent, out of the darkness and into the light. She also addresses the importance for African people to be proud to be African and of their heritage.   This podcast is part of an official series supporting the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF). To attend, please visit www.africa-conference.com.

She raises the positive effects of the coming together of different sectors to help communicate a renewed image of Africa.   Africa’s image is still shaped by negative factors, such as war, famine and instability, and so it is important for the entire continent to work together in portraying the positive realities that are often overlooked.   This podcast is part of an official series supporting the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF). To attend, please visit www.africa-conference.com.

He marks the clear objectives that will position Africa more strongly and positively to the rest of the world, thus creating a new ‘brand’ entirely.   He emphasises that by key airlines such as Kenya Airways, South African Airlines and Rwandair are connecting Africa to the rest of the world, thus opening the door to investors and tourism, and for leaders to exchange culture and build new concepts through technology.   This podcast is part of an official series supporting the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF). To attend, please visit www.africa-conference.com.

In his second podcast from his travels in Africa, Matthew Weihs prepares for the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) brand exercise in Ghana. Held in Accra, the UNWTO Brand Africa Conference aims to fight the negative stereotypes associated with the African continent. In this podcast, Matthew discusses his major findings on why so many business are still sceptical of expanding their business into Africa. His discoveries show that 71% of individuals that he spoke with are still hugely influenced by the media, citing concerns around security, safety and the negative images portrayed around Africa. His findings also highlight the importance for African governments to make it easier for the investment community to do business, and implement process that will save time, energy and effort. There are hopes that, by working collaboratively, the 54 member states of Africa will succeed in convincing those still wary of doing business in the continent to break away from their misguided perceptions of wha

Regis spoke on the next 5 years, Kigali as a “constantly moving” city, improvements in safety and foreign direct investment.  Regis is also very positive about the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) coming to Rwanda in 2016.  For more information on AHIF, please visit www.africa-conference.com.  

  Christoph M. Strahm, GM of Kempinski, Kigali (the original Hotel Rwanda) talks about the iconic hotel, balance the history with change and the upward opportunity of the region. To attend the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) 2016 please visit www.Africa-Conference.com.    

John Mirenge is the CEO of RwandAir, currently transporting half a million passengers worldwide.  Bench Events MD, Matthew Weihs, records his second podcast in Kigali, Rwanda, with Mr Mirenge to talk over some of the following points: Growing 5 fold in the last 5 years The race to a million passengers by 2018 Competing with other large scale African airline carriers African business travel into China Development and improvements within the current airport and new airports The increased number of hotels in Kigali   Mr Mirenge also states that the coming of the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) to Kigali in 2016 is timed perfectly and will be one of the best things to happen to Rwanda.  Information on AHIF can be found at www.africa-conference.com.    

Matthew shares insight into the region’s tourism and growth.  He talks about the “hidden gem” nature of Rwanda and the ease of doing business as it grows as an ambitious hub for Africa. The Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) will be held here in 2016.  Hotel Des Mille Collines by Kempinski was a deal done by the Rwandan Development Board at a previous AHIF - so now the event comes full circle.  A great short introduction to the region and what to expect in 2016.  Information on AHIF can be found at www.africa-conference.com.