Africa's Eden Communications

06/02/2025

Introducing The Untamed Chronicles: Movers & Shakers in Regional Tourism

Kafue National Park is on the rise! With record-breaking visitor numbers and revenue in 2024, this vast wilderness is proving that conservation and community development go hand in hand.

In the first edition of The Untamed Chronicles, we sit down with Ian Pollard, the driving force behind commercial and enterprise operations at Kafue. From sustainable fisheries to conservation dividends, Ian and his team at African Parks Network are shaping a future where tourism uplifts both people and wildlife.

📢 This is just the beginning! Stay tuned as we spotlight the changemakers redefining tourism across the region.

🔗 Read the full story here:

African Parks' partnerships have brought big benefits to Kafue National Park, but Ian Pollard is not done yet.

05/02/2025

Wrapping Up the Africa’s Eden North America Roadshow in Florida!

After days of productive meetings and incredible business connections, it was time for some well-earned fun! Florida was the perfect finale for our North America Roadshow—sun, sea, and a touch of friendly competition!

Our beach games got highly competitive, culminating in a sandcastle showdown that brought out everyone’s inner child. We wrapped up the day at The Rustic Inn Crab House, where we went full local, cracking crabs the traditional way. 🦀🔨

A huge thank you to all the incredible travel trade partners who joined us across the U.S.

Rowena Putter from Boundless Africa Safaris summed it up perfectly:
"Africa’s Eden gathered very interesting exhibitors at their US roadshow, and I was delighted to be able to not only consolidate current knowledge, but to add new products too."

💡 Missed out? Our Europe Roadshow is up next! Get ready for another round of meaningful connections and fresh travel inspiration.

30/01/2025

Texas - you were incredible!

Austin, Texas! Known for its live music, southern hospitality, and big personalities, Austin welcomed our Africa’s Eden exhibitors with open arms. The enthusiasm for African travel here is incredible, and it’s been amazing to connect with passionate travel specialists eager to showcase Southern Africa to their clients.

But of course, it’s not all work—we had to experience Austin the right way! We kicked things off with some axe throwing (because when in Texas… 🪓), followed by legendary Texas BBQ. We may still be debating how it stacks up against an African braai 🔥

Next stop: Florida—stay tuned!

Jillian Blackbeard

29/01/2025

Our Africa’s Eden North America Roadshow kicked off in Mexico City with a fantastic turnout of wholesale buyers and independent Africa travel specialists eager to connect with exhibitors from across Southern Africa. The energy was incredible, and the enthusiasm for Africa as a travel destination is stronger than ever!

Of course, it’s not all work—we’re travel people, after all! A night of Mexican wrestling (Lucha Libre) gave us the perfect dose of cultural immersion before heading to our next stop: Austin, Texas! Stay tuned for more updates.

10/01/2025

🌍 Join the Africa’s Eden North America Roadshow in Austin! 🌍

📅 27 & 28 January 2024
📍 Austin, Texas

Calling all Southern Africa Travel Specialists! This event is your opportunity to:
• Meet top suppliers from Southern Africa
• Discover luxury safari opportunities
• Build valuable industry connections

💡 Registration Fee: $350 (includes hotel accommodation for qualified buyers).
Discounted Rate available for attendees not requiring accommodation!

Spots are limited—secure yours now!
👉 https://web.cvent.com/event/003367a6-c449-4c0f-a0e7-fb97fa3fe6ff/regProcessStep1

Don’t miss this chance to expand your business and explore Africa’s best travel experiences. 🌟

10/01/2025

🌍 Join the Africa’s Eden North America Roadshow in Fort Lauderdale! 🌍

📅 30 & 31 January 2025
📍 Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Designed exclusively for Southern Africa Travel Specialists, this event is your chance to:
• Connect with top suppliers from Southern Africa
• Discover luxury safari opportunities
• Expand your network and business

💡 Registration Fee: $350 (includes hotel accommodation for qualified buyers).
Discounted Rate available for those not requiring accommodation!

Spots are limited—secure your place now!
👉 https://web.cvent.com/event/003367a6-c449-4c0f-a0e7-fb97fa3fe6ff/regProcessStep1

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to elevate your offerings and explore Africa’s finest travel experiences. 🌟

10/01/2025

🌍 Join the Africa’s Eden North America Roadshow in Mexico City! 🌍

📅 23 January 2025 – Wholesale Buyers
📅 24 January 2025 – Travel Agents & Independent Travel Specialists

Discover the best of Southern Africa and connect with top suppliers offering exclusive safari and travel opportunities.

💡 Why Attend?
• Meet quality suppliers from Southern Africa
• Explore new luxury travel opportunities
• It’s FREE for qualified buyers!

📍 Location: Mexico City

Spots are limited—register now to secure your place: https://web.cvent.com/event/003367a6-c449-4c0f-a0e7-fb97fa3fe6ff/regProcessStep1

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to expand your offerings and grow your business with Africa’s finest travel experiences.

See you there! 🌟

06/01/2025

The Africa Travel Week Media Awards are back, celebrating the writers, photographers, and filmmakers who bring Africa’s story to life.

🎥 🖋️ 📸 Know someone deserving? Tag them below or share this post!

✨ Categories include:

Sustainability: Stories that spotlight eco-innovation.

Visual Tourism: Stunning imagery of Africa’s soul.

Tourism News: Sharp takes on industry trends.

Destination Features: Putting unique places on the map.

Young Talent: Fresh voices under 25.

🗓️ Entries close 30 Jan 2025 (for work published in 2024).

Now in its second year, the Africa Travel Week Media Awards celebrate the storytellers who shape Africa's tourism narrative.

01/01/2025

As we reflect on an incredible 2024 and step into our 5th year of existence, we’re excited to share our vision for 2025. This year, we are resolving to look inward, ensuring that our initiatives are guided by what you, our members, truly want and need. Our focus remains on delivering value to the diverse community we host and creating opportunities for all to thrive.

Here are some key highlights from 2024:

🌍 Expanding Our Footprint
We proudly welcomed Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Angola to the Africa’s Eden family. This expansion strengthens our geographical positioning and underscores the growing global demand for showcasing these destinations.

🛫 A Landmark for Travel Trade
We launched our first dedicated travel show for Africa-domiciled buyers—a milestone we’re excited to elevate in 2025 with more participants and impactful workshops integrated into the meetings schedule and fam tours.

💻 Enhancing Our Digital Presence
Our website now features a members-only space, transforming it into the go-to hub for factual, reliable information about the region. We’re committed to being the information hub for Southern Africa’s tourism ecosystem.

🎙️ Leading the Conversation
The first-ever Africa’s Eden Summit brought together over 550 participants, with globally renowned thinkers driving innovation and thought leadership focused on our region. We’re excited to explore how we can make this a live event in the future and help guide our members’ business decisions.

🤝 Strengthening Partnerships
This year, we fostered partnerships that amplify our shared vision:
• SATSA: Aligning our organizational strengths ensures Southern African tourism speaks with one voice and gives our members access to areas outside AE’s direct scope.
• WTTC & JLL: Together, we developed a Tourism Readiness Index for Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, offering a template for sustainable growth and highlighting our region’s strengths.
• DTTT (Digital Tourism Think Tank): Collaborating with global digital leaders brings new insights and tools to help our members thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
• AE Tourism Alliance: A platform designed to unite the tourism ecosystem across our region, strengthening collaboration, sharing resources, and driving innovation to benefit our members and stakeholders.

💬 Building Our Community
Africa’s Eden’s biggest strength remains our sense of community. We spent time visiting members across the region—whether in bustling hubs or remote locations—sharing stories, listening to feedback, and shaping plans for the future based on your needs.

Looking ahead, 2025 promises to be a year of growth, connection, and innovation. We’re committed to visiting even more members where they are based, fostering meaningful conversations, and creating abundance across our landscapes and communities.

🌦️ As the rains wash the landscape clean and green, let’s move forward together into a season of prosperity and possibility. Happy holidays to you all, and here’s to a phenomenal 2025!

17/12/2024

We are happy to announce our partnership with the Air France-KLM Group, offering SATSA and Africa's Eden members exclusive flight fares to attend Africa's Eden North America Roadshow. With exceptional rates starting from ZAR 18,900, inclusive of taxes and one checked-in baggage, this is an opportunity not to be missed. The journey from Johannesburg to Amsterdam and onward to North America promises to be smooth, allowing you to focus on showcasing your products to key stakeholders. Departure is scheduled for 21 January 2025, with a prompt return on 2 February 2025. To secure your seat, please email [email protected] and CC [email protected] and [email protected] .

For further details and registration, please visit: Exhibitor Brochure:https://www.satsa.com/sites/default/files/2024-12/24%29%2012%20-%20North%20America%20-%20Exhibitors%20Brochure.pdf

Registration Link: https://web.cvent.com/event/003367a6-c449-4c0f-a0e7-fb97fa3fe6ff/regProcessStep1

Africa's Eden Communications Air France-KLM FSSC Ultrabalaton

03/12/2024

We’re excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership between Africa's Eden Tourism Association, JLL’s Global Tourism and Destination Advisory practice, and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) to conduct the Tourism Readiness Index!

This collaborative initiative will evaluate the tourism potential of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, focusing on investment opportunities, sustainable growth, and long-term resilience.

With over 70 key data points assessed—ranging from infrastructure to environmental sustainability—the Index will serve as a critical tool for both public and private sectors, paving the way for a stronger and more competitive tourism industry in the region.

“Tourism is one of the most vital economic drivers for our member countries. By partnering with JLL and WTTC, we’re bringing international expertise to empower local tourism and attract global investments,” says Jillian Blackbeard, CEO of Africa's Eden.

https://africaseden.travel/news/africas-eden-commissions-jll-wttcs-tourism-readiness-index-to-drive-investment-and-sustainable-growth-across-southern-africa/

26/11/2024

What an unforgettable closing function for the Africa's Eden Travel Show - Global Edition in Swakopmund! How are we ever going to top this? (Challenge accepted!)

A HUGE thank you to Abenteuer Afrika for pulling off one hell of a send-off! The live band was top-notch, with local sensation Vaughn rocking all night and ensuring the dance floor was never empty. And let’s not forget DJ Alex from Corporate Event Gear, who provided tunes and lighting that truly upped the game! What a vibe!

The food was fantastic, the table decor was outstanding, and the costumes—well, just look at these photos! Arriving to a red carpet entry, an array of candlelight in the desert, and a welcome drink courtesy of Bruce Jack Wines set the perfect tone for the evening.

And a shoutout to the crowd favourite, the Shearwater Boys, who took home the title for best dressed by popular applause! Thanks to Gondwana, these guys will be tripping around Namibia in style with an amazing 10-night holiday prize!
We can’t wait to see you all next year when our show comes full circle back to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe! Until then, keep shining bright!

25/11/2024

Absolutely nothing compares to the experience of visiting a destination firsthand, and that’s exactly what our travel buyers enjoyed during the recent Africa's Eden Travel Show - Global Edition! From scaling the heights of Big Daddy at Sossusvlei to witnessing the magnificent roar of Victoria Falls and peacefully gliding through the beautiful Okavango Delta in a dugout canoe, our familiarisation trips (fam trips) provide invaluable insights that no brochure can capture.

These immersive experiences equip our travel buyers with the knowledge and passion they need to showcase our fantastic destinations to their clients. Everyone returned not just with stunning photos, but with stories and firsthand accounts that will undoubtedly elevate their sales conversations!

A big shoutout to Discover Airlines for being a key show sponsor and ensuring our travel buyers enjoyed seamless travel from Victoria Falls Airport to Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport. Your support helps make these transformative experiences possible!

22/11/2024

During Africa's Eden Travel Show - Global Edition held at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund, we facilitated pre-scheduled, matched one-on-one meetings that played a pivotal role in fostering meaningful connections between global travel buyers from 21 different countries and our diverse array of exhibiting companies.

A special shoutout to Ultimate Safaris for starting the day right with complimentary coffee and croissants from local roastery Two Beards Coffee! And, of course, a huge thank you to Okavango Gin for helping us wind down each afternoon with a refreshing gin and tonic—because it’s a travel show in Africa, after all!

These meetings are crucial for ensuring that each participant walks away with a deeper understanding of our offerings, as well as the connections needed to enhance their business ventures in the travel industry. At the end of the day, we’re here for business—although the fun we have along the way makes the work even more rewarding!

Thank you to everyone involved for making these connections possible and for contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of collaboration and exploration!

21/11/2024

We're still buzzing from the amazing opening event at the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre during the Africa's Eden Travel Show - Global Edition! A heartfelt thank you to Legacy Hotels for graciously hosting us in such a stunning venue, showcasing the unique talent, charm, and hospitality that Swakopmund is renowned for.

We’re also grateful to Bruce Jack Wines for their exquisite selection, and to the locally produced Stillhouse Gin, which added a delightful local tipple to our evening. It’s partnerships like these that not only elevate our events but truly enhance the travel experience for global buyers discovering the beauty of our region.
A big thank you to Abenteur Afrika for providing shuttles to and from the opening function and for organizing top-class local entertainment with singers, traditional dancers, and fire dancers. Their coordination of all the moving parts was instrumental in the event's success.

A special shoutout to Lynne and Louise from Gondwana and Gitta from HAN for all their support. Your efforts in bringing the show to life in Namibia were invaluable! Together, we’re showcasing the incredible potential and diversity our destinations offer.

20/11/2024

At Africa's Eden, we believe that destination workshops are an integral component of our travel shows and roadshows, and for good reason! These workshops set the stage for more meaningful interactions, provide educational insights on key aspects like air access and visa requirements, and promote our incredible destinations as a whole.

During our recent Africa's Eden Travel Show - Global Edition in Swakopmund, Namibia, we witnessed firsthand the impact of these workshops. A huge thank you to our destination experts who facilitated these invaluable sessions:

🇧🇼 Botswana - Tessa Bell from The Pack
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe - Jessica White from Wild Horizons and Julian Brookstein from Mutondo Safaris
🇳🇦 Namibia - Louise Leach from Gondwana Collection Namibia
🇿🇲 Zambia - Lauren Mallet and Chileya Kasuba-Ndeke from Royal Zambezi Lodge

🌟 New Destination Workshops:
🇦🇴 Angola - Jay Sarro
🇲🇼 Malawi - Sarah Njanji and Ian Musyani

Your expertise not only enriches the event but also empowers global travel buyers with the essential knowledge they need to promote our beautiful destinations effectively. Thank you for your commitment to showcasing Africa’s diversity and potential in the travel industry!

Stay tuned for more insights and highlights from the travel show! 🌟🙌

19/11/2024

Excited to share: The Africa's Eden Travel Show - Global Edition in Swakopmund, Namibia was an unforgettable experience! We know you’re chomping at the bit to see photos and hear all about it, so here’s a little teaser to whet your appetite!

From engaging destination workshops led by our seasoned experts to pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings that sparked collaboration, there was no shortage of valuable connections made. Our opening and closing events? Let’s just say they set the bar sky high for ‘show-stopping’!

Stay tuned for the full recap – the best is yet to come! 📸🌟

09/11/2024

🌍✨ Every journey tells a story, and some stories bring unexpected surprises!

Today, we share a heartwarming experience from one of our buyers, Simona Gallo, from our Signature AE Global Travel Show. While navigating Namibia’s vast desert, she embarked on a unique rescue mission! 🚗💨

Simona came across a tiny, lonely puppy with an undeniable charm – one that stole her heart instantly! 🐾💛 Without a second thought, she scooped him up and drove nearly 400 km, hoping to find him a loving home.

And she found more than just a home – she found him a family! Now, “Sense” is the proud new mascot of Sense of Africa Namibia, ready to greet everyone with his boundless spirit and bring smiles to those he meets. 🐶❤️