This year´s round table sessions focused on two key topics; Safe and seamless travel in Africa: fostering resilience and risk management in the tourism sector and Embracing Digital Transformation, Innovation and Promoting Niche Tourism products.  Both sessions included a mix of participants from the public and private sector. 

On the issue of safety and security, the UNWTO Secretary-General reiterated the support of UNWTO and of the global tourism family to Kenya who recently suffered an attack on its people and its tourism sector. He highlighted tourism’s resilience and Kenya as an example of successfully facing up to challenges. For the second round table, he recalled that tourism development goes hand in hand with development. In addition, this year UNWTO will also have a strong focus on how digitalization can revitalize our sector and contribute to its growth.

For the first time at INVESTOUR, a space was given to young entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to pitch their start-up initiatives. This opportunity came to be through the support of The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), benefitting young entrepreneurs from Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Their experience, in addition to participating at INVESTOUR, included a one-day workshop at UNWTO on scaling up tips for their startups and visits to the Google Centre and Airbus Bizlab in Madrid. Olivia Codou N´diaye of LIVES from Senegal and David Gonahasa of Roundbob from Uganda were awarded a scholarship for a training provided by the Africa Center at IE Business School in Madrid.

During the Business to Business sessions, more than 30 projects were presented by 12 African countries, holding more than 55 meetings with international investors coming from 4 different countries.

The success of the 10th edition of INVESTOUR was ensured through the support of valuable sponsors NEPAD agency, Quantum Solutions Emerging Markets, INFECAR and Cote d’Ivoire Tourisme, and partners, VoyagesAfriq, eBiz Africa Review, Vhoolink and the Moroccan National Tourist Office in Madrid.