Join Us for an Unforgettable Experience!
| 14:00–17:00 | Badge Collection |
| 16:00–17:00 | Press Conference |
| 17:00–20:00 | Official Opening Join fellow buyers and exhibitors for the opening at Diamonds Bijoux. This is a relaxed opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new industry colleagues before the business programme begins. |
| 08:00 | Event check in |
| 09:00 | Welcome & Destination Zanzibar From investment to itinerary: Virginia Messina, Group CEO, ATTA® moderates our opening panel. We shine a spotlight on this island destination, with insights from Zanzibar Commission for Tourism, Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority and ENVI Lodges. |
| 10:30 – 13:00 | Meetings |
| 13:00 | Lunch |
| 14:00 | Market Buzz – Americas: From North America’s increasingly selective traveller to Latin America’s growing passion for Africa, explore two very different market opportunities. Hear directly from our market experts and buyers about what’s changing, what’s driving demand and how Africa can win more business from across the Americas. Market Buzz – Africa: We spend a great deal of time talking about bringing the world to Africa – but what about getting Africans to travel more within Africa? This session explores the growing potential of the African traveller, bringing together perspectives from across the continent to look at what people are booking, what influences their choices, and how African tourism businesses can better attract and serve this important market. |
| 15:25 – 17:40 | Meetings |
| 17:40 | Networking Sundowners Evening at leisure |
| 6:00 | Start the day with your feet in the sand! Bringing a taste of Uganda’s iconic Rwenzori Marathon to the shores of Zanzibar, this special 5km beach walk and 10km beach run is exclusively for Essence of Africa attendees. Join fellow delegates for a fun and energetic start to the day along Zanzibar’s beautiful Indian Ocean coastline. Advance registration required; places are limited. Sign up here! |
| 08:30 | Arrival tea & coffee |
| 09:00 – 10:15 | Meetings |
| 10:30 | Market Buzz – Asia Pacific: Explore three very different opportunities for Africa across India, China and Australia. Hear directly from market experts and specialist buyers about how travellers are changing, what is driving demand and what African tourism businesses can do to grow their share of these important markets. Market Buzz – Middle East: The Middle East is a high-value market for Africa, and understanding the opportunity means looking beyond luxury. Explore the different traveller segments, the importance of air and visa access, the expat market, and what Africa can do to convert growing interest into business. With Zanzibar as a practical case study, we’ll also explore the growing Muslim travel market and what destination readiness really means. |
| 11:55 – 12:50 | Meetings |
| 12:50 | Lunch |
| 13:50 | Content Session: Zanzibar Stories Meet the people behind some of Zanzibar’s local tourism experiences, looking at how these activities connect visitors with communities and contribute to local livelihoods. Chris Mears, Chief Commercial Officer, ATTA®, and Founder, Essence of Africa talks with The Kanga Project, Mwani Zanzibar & Mamas of Zanzibar. |
| 14:55 – 17:30 | Meetings |
| 17:30 | Networking Sundowners Evening at leisure |
| 08:30 | Arrival tea & coffee |
| 09:00 – 10:15 | Meetings |
| 10:30 | Market Buzz – Europe: Europe remains one of Africa's most established source regions – but can we take that business for granted? Buyers from Poland, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy bring perspectives spanning luxury FIT, MICE and incentives, responsible travel and tailor-made high-end tourism as we explore what is changing, and where Africa's next opportunities lie. |
| 11:15 – 12:30 | Meetings |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 | Content Session: Zanzibar's Positive Impact Pioneers Joy Mbatau, Regional Hub Manager for East Africa, The Long Run, will be leading an engaging session on the pioneers of positive impact in Zanzibar with panellists from Blue Impact Network, Chumbe Island, CHAKO Zanzibar, and Msonge Organic Family Farm. |
| 14:35 – 16:30 | Meetings |
| 18:00 – 23:00 | Beach Party hosted by Diamonds Bijoux Celebrate the close of Essence of Africa with an unforgettable evening on the beach, bringing together buyers, exhibitors and partners for relaxed networking, local cuisine and entertainment. Programme subject to change. |
| Buyers and Exhibitors depart |
