WTM Africa’s 2026 Partnerships Set New Standard for Women’s Advancement in African Tourism

August may be celebrated as Women’s Month in South Africa, but the latest moves by WTM Africa are ensuring that gender empowerment in tourism becomes a year-round mission. The platform has just announced strategic partnerships for 2026 with Women in MICE and the Women in Tourism (WIT) initiative, two influential networks dedicated to advancing women’s roles across Africa’s travel and business events sector.

These alliances represent a significant milestone for African tourism, where women make up as much as 70% of the workforce but remain underrepresented in senior positions. In South Africa, for example, less than 40% of management roles in tourism are held by women—a gap these collaborations are determined to help close through recognition, leadership development, and practical support.

One of the headline events will be the unveiling of the 2026 Women in MICE Awards categories at a high-profile breakfast during WTM Africa on 15 April 2026. This gathering will bring together 80 leading women from across the sector and marks the first time a major African travel exhibition has served as the launchpad for continental recognition of women’s achievements in the industry.

Antois Leigh Nepgen, Publisher & Owner of Meetings Magazine and the Women in MICE Awards, describes the partnership as a defining moment: “Women are not only shaping the future of tourism and events across the continent, they’re driving it. By joining forces with WTM Africa and Women in Tourism, we’re creating a high-impact platform that celebrates excellence, fosters leadership, and breaks down the barriers that still exist in our industry.”

The momentum will continue with an interactive masterclass hosted by Women in Tourism and led by Michelle Page, Director at ServiceGurus and Outgoing Chairlady of WITWC. This session will focus on practical strategies for building leadership confidence, personal branding, and visibility—key skills for women aspiring to executive roles in African travel.

Strategic marketing leader Sherise Dreyer, who will co-host the workshop, emphasizes that “inclusion without accessibility is meaningless.” She notes that these partnerships are not just about changing structures, but about shifting perceptions of who belongs in leadership. For women in tourism, access and equity must become the standard, not the exception.

Michelle Page adds that the collaboration is more than a launch—it’s a statement of intent. “Together, we are building a platform that honours excellence, champions leadership, and actively dismantles the barriers that still hinder progress. We are excited to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the trailblazing women who are shaping the future of tourism, business events, and beyond.”

WTM Africa’s NextGen Ready programme will also feature a workshop as part of this initiative, targeting skills gaps and ensuring future sustainability and diversity for African tourism. Olivia Gradidge, Marketing Manager at RX Africa, highlights that combining Women in MICE leadership with NextGen Ready workshops emphasizes both leadership development and mentorship for young professionals in the sector.

As global demand grows for more inclusive leadership in travel and hospitality, WTM Africa’s new partnerships with WIT and Women in MICE position the platform as a catalyst for dialogue and measurable change. These efforts are especially significant for RX Africa, whose Managing Director, Carol Weaving, has been recognized for her leadership with nominations and awards, including the 2025 Women in MICE Award and the Godfrey King Integrity Award from SAACI. Under her guidance, RX Africa has delivered a 24% increase in event attendance, a 48% rise in exhibiting countries, and a 46% surge in meeting requests across flagship events like Decorex Africa and WTM Africa.

Weaving sees these partnerships as a meaningful extension of RX Africa’s commitment to empowering women in tourism: “By bringing together these powerful networks, we’re demonstrating that real change happens when we unite our efforts from the ground up. WTM Africa is a platform for connection, growth, and transformation, and we are proud to collaborate with Women in MICE and Women in Tourism to drive lasting impact in our industry.”

For Africa’s tourism sector, these partnerships could serve as a blueprint for other regions and industries. The focus is not just on individual achievement, but on systemic change—opening doors, creating visible role models, and fostering an environment where women’s leadership is celebrated and expected, not exceptional.

The year ahead promises a surge of advocacy, mentorship, and practical support for women at every level of Africa’s tourism and events ecosystem. By embedding these values into WTM Africa’s programming and partnerships, the platform is taking concrete steps to ensure that gender empowerment is not just an annual conversation, but a daily driver of transformation across the continent.