Stakeholders in Africa’s hospitality and tourism industry are set to gather once again in Lagos as the African Hospitality and Tourism Education Summit (AHTES) returns for its 2026 edition, promising renewed momentum in advancing hospitality and tourism education across the continent.
Scheduled for July 24–25, 2026, the summit will hold in Victoria Island, Lagos, with the main conference taking place on July 24, followed by an educational tour of key tourism destinations across *Lagos* on July 25.
Organized annually by *lTourism Afrikania*l, AHTES has grown into a leading pan-African platform dedicated to strengthening human capital development in hospitality, travel, tourism, and related service industries.
Over the years, the summit has attracted students, educators, tourism professionals, policymakers, investors, and institutional partners from across Africa and beyond.
Industry observers note that previous editions of the summit have played a significant role in bridging the gap between academic training and real-world industry demands.
Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, masterclasses, and networking sessions, AHTES has helped equip young professionals and students with the practical knowledge, skills, and global perspectives required to thrive in the fast-evolving tourism and hospitality sector.
According to organizers, the summit has also served as a catalyst for collaboration among institutions, businesses, and government agencies working to build a globally competitive tourism workforce for Africa.
Several hospitality and tourism students who attended previous editions have reportedly secured internships, employment opportunities, and mentorship through connections made during the summit.
“The vision behind AHTES is to build a strong knowledge-driven hospitality and tourism industry in Africa by empowering the next generation of professionals through education, mentorship, and exposure,” organizers stated.
The 2026 edition is expected *to Focus on Education for Service Excellence in Africa’s Travel, Aviation and Tourism Industry*
Participants will also have the opportunity to experience Lagos’ tourism offerings firsthand through the *Educational Tour of Lagos State Destinations* scheduled for July 25.
The tour is designed to provide practical learning experiences for students and professionals, exposing them to real-life tourism operations, destination management, and hospitality service delivery.
Tourism experts believe that initiatives such as AHTES are critical to addressing the skills gap within Africa’s tourism sector.
As global travel continues to rebound and competition among destinations intensifies, developing well-trained professionals is increasingly seen as key to sustainable tourism growth.
With Lagos widely recognized as Nigeria’s commercial and tourism hub, hosting the summit in *Victoria Island* is expected to further highlight the city’s role as a center for hospitality, business travel, and international events.
As preparations gather momentum, organizers say the 2026 summit will expand participation from academic institutions, industry leaders, tourism boards, and development organizations committed to shaping the future of tourism education in Africa.
For many stakeholders, AHTES has evolved beyond a conference into a movement— one aimed at redefining how Africa trains, empowers, and positions its hospitality and tourism workforce for global competitiveness.
With expectations already building ahead of the July gathering, the 2026 *African Hospitality and Tourism Education Summit* is poised to once again place the spotlight on the transformative power of education in driving Africa’s tourism future.
