AESATA Conference – AESATA TRAVEL AGENCIES CONFERENCE

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Conference Background

Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic devastated the global travel and tourism industry, causing untold economic and social loss, the reality is that the industry was already facing a tumultuous business environment. Faced with a myriad of challenges, such as technological disruptions, changing travel patterns and clients preferences, stringent regulatory environments, shrinking profit margins, and effects of climate change, among others, many travel agencies across the world were already thinking about redefining their business models to confront these realities and survive.

As the post-pandemic recovery journey continues, it should never be business as usual. Travel agents must deeply think about the most effective business approach that will ensure mistakes of the past are avoided, and a much stronger and more resilient industry capable of withstanding global shocks is built. Africa, in particular, needs to rethink its agency business model, embrace adaptive technologies, expand into new markets, and strongly advocate for government support toward growing the industry.

AESATA is organizing this conference under the theme “Rebuilding Sustainable and Resilient Travel Agencies in Africa.” Specifically, the Conference will offer participants an opportunity to:

Share knowledge, experiences, and lessons learned post the COVID pandemic
Rethink and review the travel agency business model in the aftermath of a changing business environment.
Interact and network with industry colleagues and stakeholders
Sample and experience the travel and tourism offerings of Zanzibar.

The Association of Eastern Africa Travel Agents (AESATA) is a regional membership organization of travel agents from 11 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. The organization is composed of national travel agent associations from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Malawi. Others are Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, and Angola.

The main objective of the Association is to provide a unified platform to address cross-border issues in the travel industry, advocate for an enabling business environment; and act as a single voice to articulate members’ concerns of mutual interest at international forums.

History
Membership

Participants

The 2-day event will unite at least 200 individual travel agency owners and stakeholders from Government, Airlines, IATA, and Travel technology companies across Eastern and Southern Africa. Other invited guests will come from Europe, America, and Asia.

Conference Format

The two‐day conference will have the following features:

Keynote speakers
Panel Sessions
Public Lecture/Motivational Talk
Fireside chats
Parallel breakout sessions
Gala dinner
Social Activity (Zanzibar Spice tour)

11

Members

11

Countries

2

E-Books

8

Newsletters

Thinking

Knowledge is the best investment.

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08: 00- 09:00: Late Registration- AESATA Secretariat Session 1: Opening Session 09:00- 10:30: Welcoming Remarks- Nicanor Sabula, AESATA CEO Opening Remarks- Moustafa Khataw, AESATA President Opening Remarks - Stuart Laird-Smith, Travelport Keynote Address & Official Opening- H.E Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Zanzibar 10.30- 11:00: Networking Tea Break 11:00-12:00 Panel Session 1: The State of the Travel Industry in Eastern and Southern Africa. Shazmin Manji- Chairperson, Kenya Mercy Mandevhani- Chairperson, Zimbabwe Pearl Hoareau-Kakooza Chairperson, Uganda Moustafa Khataw- Chairperson Tanzania 12:00- 13:00 Plenary Session: Survival for the Fittest: Remodeling the Travel Agency Business Model for Tomorrow Sunil Kumar- President, United Federation of Travel Agents Associations (UFTAA). 13:00- 14:00 Networking Lunch Beak 14:00- 15:00 Power Session Redefining Travel Agency Business: People, Practice and Profit Murtaza Versi- CEO, Noesis Strategic Institute 15:00- 16:00 Plenary Session Travel Distribution and the Future Stuart Laird-Smith- Commercial Director, Travelport operator partners EMEA 19:00- 21:00 Gala Dinner

Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

Gala Dinner Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

SUNDAY, 21 MAY 2023

ARRIVAL OF PARTICIPANTS

14:00- 17:00:

Registration of participants opens- AESATA Secretariat

MONDAY, 22 MAY 2023

08: 00- 09:00:

Late Registration- AESATA Secretariat

Session 1: Opening Session

09:00- 10:30:

Welcoming Remarks- Nicanor Sabula, AESATA CEO
Opening Remarks- Moustafa Khataw, AESATA President
Opening Remarks – Stuart Laird-Smith, Travelport
Keynote Address & Official Opening- H.E Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Zanzibar

10.30- 11:00:

Networking Tea Break

11:00-12:00

Panel Session 1:

The State of the Travel Industry in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Shazmin Manji– Chairperson, Kenya
Mercy Mandevhani– Chairperson, Zimbabwe
Pearl Hoareau-Kakooza Chairperson, Uganda
Moustafa Khataw– Chairperson Tanzania

12:00- 13:00

Plenary Session:

Survival for the Fittest: Remodeling the Travel Agency Business Model for Tomorrow

Sunil Kumar- President, United Federation of Travel Agents Associations (UFTAA).

13:00- 14:00

Networking Lunch Beak

14:00- 15:00

Power Session

Redefining Travel Agency Business: People, Practice and Profit

Murtaza Versi- CEO, Noesis Strategic Institute

15:00- 16:00

Plenary Session

Travel Distribution and the Future

Stuart Laird-Smith- Commercial Director, Travelport operator partners EMEA

19:00- 21:00

Gala Dinner

TUESDAY 23 MAY 2023

08: 30- 09:00 Opening Keynote:

The Future of Work: Retooling and upskilling the travel industry workforce

Abdulhussain Tejani-

Change Architect, People Matter LLC.

09:00- 10:00 Plenary Session:

Tapping the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) for Intra Africa Trade and Travel

Hon. Mohammed Mchengerwa-

Minister of Tourism and Natural Resources

Tanzania

10:00- 10:30

A liberalized African Airspace- Why it matters for increased trade and travel

Abdérahmane Berthé

Secretary General- African Airlines Association (AFRAA)

10:30- 11:00

Networking Tea break

11:00- 11:45

The Big Debate:

From Brick & Motor to the Virtual: Reimagining the Travel Agency of Tomorrow

LOUISE UWIZEYE – Rwanda Association of Travel Agents
OSAMA BUX– Zambia Association of Travel Agents
Tilahun Eshete– Ethiopia Travel Agents Association

11:45- 12:45

Fireside Chat:

In conversation with African Airline CEOs on building stronger African airlines and the Role of local travel agencies.

Yvonne Makolo-CEO- Rwandair
Allan Kilavuka-CEO- Kenya Airways
Ladislaus Matindi– CEO- Air Tanzania

12:45- 13:30

Zanzibar Declaration on the Future of Travel in Eastern & Southern Africa- Presidents/Chairpersons of AESATA Member countries

13:30- 14:00

Networking Lunch Break & Departure

WEDNESDAY 24 MAY 2023 (OPTIONAL)

09:00- 13:00

Tour of Zanzibar

*This requires prior registration and attracts additional accommodation cost at the hotel