APTA Global Forum 2025

The Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA) is excited to be hosting its Global Forum in Arusha, Tanzania from 24-26 September 2025. After a successful Global Forum in Cape Town in 2023, APTA returns to the African continent in 2025 and will be a great opportunity for travel advisors from North America to meet and network with a delegation of hoteliers, safari operators, destination management companies and tourism organizations from throughout the African continent. Whether you are an African specialist, a travel advisor that is interested in learning about selling Africa or a tourism partner, the APTA Global Forum will be an excellent chance to get information on the latest trends, destinations, and products to further develop your business and tourism to Africa.

Our host city for the 2025 APTA Global Forum is Arusha, Tanzania—the gateway to some of Africa’s most iconic landscapes and a fitting destination to celebrate and promote tourism across the continent. Nestled at the foothills of Mount Meru and serving as the starting point for safaris to Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire, Arusha embodies the spirit of African adventure. The city offers a well-developed infrastructure for conferences, with high-quality venues, accommodations, and vibrant cultural experiences that enhance networking and leisure opportunities. Its accessibility via Kilimanjaro International Airport ensures seamless travel for delegates from North America and beyond.

FORUM PROGRAM

• Tuesday, Sept 23 - Arrival Day
   
  
• Wednesday, Sept 24 -Day of Adventure, Welcome Reception
  • Daytime adventure experiences will introduce attendees to the destination, showcasing its natural beauty, culture, or unique attractions. These tours will be complimentary for attendees. Half Day Tours include: 
    • Arusha City Tour (local markets, cultural stops, natural history museum and Arusha Declarations tours)
    • Maasai Cultural Experience
    • Cultural Village Experience
    • Arusha National Park (game drive or guided walking safari)
  • The evening will feature a Welcome Reception, providing the first networking opportunity for attendees to connect in a relaxed setting.
    
    
• Thursday, Sept 25 - Classroom Day, APTA Connect, Evening Event
  • Morning: Formal educational sessions with high-level speakers covering topics such as new tourism trends, sustainability, and emerging travel products in Africa. 
  • Afternoon: APTA Connect, a B2B revolving networking concept where buyers and suppliers will meet in a structured setting to discuss business opportunities and future partnerships. 
  • Evening: Dine Around Arusha: Hosted cocktail reception and dinner, allowing for further informal networking and relationship building
    
    
• Friday, Sept 26 - Classroom day, Evening Closing Reception
  • Morning: Continuation of APTA Connect networking sessions. 
  • Afternoon: Final speaker sessions featuring industry leaders, followed by closing remarks. 
  • Evening: Gala Reception at the Cultural Heritage Center in Arusha. Final night event is a destination-hosted celebration in a unique venue that represents the destination’s cultural heritage, offering a memorable close to the formal forum.
    
    
• Saturday, Sept 27 - Departure Day

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Gran Meliá Arusha is a premier luxury hotel set in the heart of Arusha, offering a perfect blend of contemporary elegance and African charm. Nestled between lush coffee plantations and boasting breathtaking views of Mount Meru, the hotel provides a serene yet sophisticated setting for business and leisure travelers alike. As the host venue for the 2025 APTA Global Forum, Gran Meliá Arusha offers world-class conference facilities, including modern meeting spaces equipped with state-of-the-art technology, ensuring a seamless event experience. Guests can enjoy luxurious accommodations, fine dining featuring locally inspired cuisine, a rooftop bar with panoramic views, a wellness spa, and an infinity pool that provides a tranquil retreat. Conveniently located near Arusha’s city center and within easy reach of Kilimanjaro International Airport, the Gran Meliá Arusha is an ideal base for exploring Tanzania’s iconic safari destinations while providing an exceptional setting for industry networking and collaboration. The Gran Melia Arusha is offering a special price for APTA Global Forum delegates of US$220 per night (single occupancy, inclusive of breakfast and taxes). Once you reserve your ticket to Forum, reach out to leonorah.ndesanjo@melia.com to confirm your hotel room. 

AIRLINE DISCOUNTS WITH SKYTEAM AND KENYA AIRWAYS

SkyTeam Global Meetings is honored to be the Official Alliance Network travel partner to APTA Global Forum! SkyTeam Global Meetings offers attendees attractive discounts up to 15% on all SkyTeam member airlines all available in just one portal with easy online access. Please book with discount group code event ID: 5099S or using this unique booking URL: http://res.skyteam.com/Search/...

In addition, Kenya Airways is offering discounted flights for the APTA Forum with a discount period of Sep 15 - Oct 5 and routing from JFK-JRO/NBO-JFK. Rate is USD $750 all-in for Economy and US $3,100 for Business. To take advantage of the offer, email Anthony.Brinn@kenya-airways.com with "APTA Global Forum 2025" in the subject line. 

REGISTRATION COSTS

• APTA Individual Member (Buyer): USD $175
• Non-APTA Individual Member (Buyer): USD $220 (includes a one year individual membership)
• APTA Corporate Member (Supplier): USD $750
• Non-APTA Corporate Member (Supplier): USD $1,150 (includes a one year corporate membership)
• Add-On Supplier Delegate (sharing an existing supplier's meeting track): USD $175

EXCITING PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS

The APTA Global Forum 2025 isn’t just about networking, learning, and celebrating Africa’s vibrant tourism industry—it’s also your chance to win incredible prizes! Throughout the event, we’ll be offering a series of exclusive giveaways designed to inspire your future travels and reward our engaged attendees. From luxury safari experiences to hotel stays, flight vouchers, and unique cultural experiences, these prizes will showcase the best of Tanzania and beyond. Attendees will have the opportunity to win by actively participating in sessions, engaging with exhibitors, and joining special activities throughout the forum. Stay tuned for more details on the exciting prizes up for grabs—we can’t wait to celebrate with you in Arusha!

PRE & POST TOURS

As part of the 2025 APTA Global Forum experience, we will offer an exciting selection of pre- and post-tours designed to showcase the very best of Tanzania. These immersive journeys will provide attendees with the opportunity to explore the country's breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and world-renowned wildlife. Whether it’s venturing into the vast savannas of the Serengeti, discovering the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater, experiencing the vibrant culture of local communities, or unwinding on Zanzibar’s pristine beaches, these tours will offer something for every traveler. We are adding new pre and post FAM opportunities in real-time. Here is what's available so far. To book any of the below, contact the email address in the PDF and let them know you are an APTA Global Forum delegate. 

• Karibu Camps Pre & Post FAM Trips - 4 day pre/post tour to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro for $860
• Mara Siana Special Rate Offer - $250/night special rate
• Adventure Expeditions FAM - Incredible 4 Day/3 Night Flight Safari to Samburu for $260
• Nomad - 2 Night Encounter with Tarangire for $615
• Nomad - 5 Night Northern Tanzania Itinerary for $1,930
• Nomad - 4 Night Crater & Migration Safari for $1,540
• TAASA Lodge - Special 50% Discount - $615
• TAASA Migration Camp - Pre/Post 50% Discount - $450 FB or $515 Game Package
• Still Water Safaris - 4 Day Pre Tour to Arusha, Tarangire & Ngorongoro - $1,671
• Still Water Safaris - 4 Day Post Tour to Zanzibar - $2,355

ALIGNMENT WITH MAGICAL KENYA TOURISM EXPO (MKTE)

To maximize the value of this event, APTA has aligned the forum dates to allow attendees to participate in post-FAM trips in Tanzania or Kenya before heading to the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) in Nairobi from October 1-3, 2025. This strategic scheduling provides an extended opportunity to deepen your Africa travel expertise and forge key industry connections. Those wishing to attend both APTA Global Forum and Magical Kenya Travel Expo can book themselves on a 4-day FAM trip following APTA Forum. 

ALIGNMENT WITH ESSENCE OF AFRICA

To maximize the value of this event, APTA has aligned the 2025 Global Forum dates to allow attendees to participate in post-FAM trips in Tanzania or Kenya before heading to the Essence of Africa B2B show, taking place October 7–9, 2025 at Diamonds Malindi on Kenya’s beautiful coastline. This strategic scheduling offers an extended opportunity to deepen your Africa travel expertise and build meaningful industry connections in two immersive, complementary settings. Buyers attending both the APTA Global Forum and Essence of Africa can take advantage of a 9-day post-Forum FAM trip before arriving in Malindi by October 6, or combine with MKTE as well and do a three-for-one.

WHAT'S APTA FORUM LIKE?