South Africa and Morocco Propel Unprecedented Tourism Investment Growth with Groundbreaking Projects and Influential Leadership at Africa Tourism Investment Conference – Travel And Tour World

Monday, March 17, 2025
South Africa and Morocco are leading a surge in tourism investment with groundbreaking projects and influential leadership at the upcoming Africa Tourism Investment Conference.
The Africa Tourism Investment Conference, scheduled for April 10 at WTM Africa at CTICC Cape Town, is set to gather some of the continent’s most influential figures in tourism investment. With significant investments aimed at hotels, resorts, and infrastructure across Africa in 2025, this event is poised to mark a pivotal moment for the industry. Leading the charge, JLL Africa has joined as the primary sponsor, reinforcing confidence in the region’s growth potential among global investors.
Key industry leaders who will be attending include Sun International CEO Anthony Leeming, Millat Global Holdings CEO Hamza Farooqui, and top financiers from Nedbank and Kasada.

A Powerhouse Speaker Line-up

This year’s speaker list reads like a who’s who of the tourism investment world. Here’s a glimpse at some of the confirmed speakers:

Hamza Farooqui (CEO, Millat Global Holdings) – Behind major hotel investments and acquisitions in Southern Africa.
Anthony Leeming (CEO, Sun International) – Leading large-scale casino, resort, and entertainment developments.
Chris du Toit (Project Director, Tinley Leisure – Club Med) – Overseeing South Africa’s most exciting new resort project.
Anabel Bishop (Chief Economist, Investec) – Offering insights into economic trends shaping the hospitality sector.
Wayne Godwin (Co-CEO, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group) – A key figure driving global hospitality deals in Africa.
Tim Harris (CEO, Helm Growth | Former CEO, Wesgro) – A leader in creating an investment-friendly environment for African tourism.
CEO and Chairman of SMIT (Morocco) – Leading tourism investment and development initiatives in Morocco.
Amos Wekesa – A prominent East African entrepreneur shaping the region’s lodge, hotel, and safari industry.

Key Topics of Discussion

The event will cover a range of crucial sessions focusing on how to unlock successful investments in African tourism. One session will dive into how investors assess risk versus return, breaking down the key factors financiers consider when backing new projects, from loan terms to the role of branded operators in shaping financing conditions. Another session will explore the mechanics of successful deals, with real-world case studies of major acquisitions and developments in urban hotels and leisure destinations.
One of the most anticipated discussions will examine whether private safari lodges can scale as investments, transforming from boutique passion projects into structured asset classes capable of attracting institutional funding.
A special fireside chat with Club Med will provide exclusive insights into the planning of their eagerly awaited Tinley Manor project.
With investments in resorts, city hotels, safaris, and mixed-use developments, and growing interest in diverse assets, the discussions at this conference will help shape the future flow of capital into the African tourism sector.

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Tags: Africa tourism, CTICC Cape Town, hotel investment, JLL Africa, morocco, South Africa, southern africa, tourism growth, tourism investment, Tourism news, Travel News, WTM Africa