The inaugural Africa’s Eden Hosted Buyers Show – African Edition, held from April 22-25 at the Ciela Resort & Spa in Lusaka, has successfully concluded. The event marked a significant milestone in the promotion of regional tourism, drawing 45 top African-domiciled buyers and 40 exhibitors from Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Jillian Blackbeard, CEO of Africa’s Eden, expressed her pleasure with the event’s success, stating, “This show was specifically designed to recognise and enhance the contributions of African-domiciled agents and buyers who play a critical role in sustaining our tourism industry. The engagement and business generated here this week speak volumes about why they need specific recognition for their immense impact.”

The show began on April 22nd with a series of informative destination seminars led by prominent travel experts, followed by an evening dedicated to networking. Attendees reconnected with industry peers and forged new relationships. Over the three-day event, buyers and exhibitors participated in effective one-on-one meetings arranged through an innovative appointment scheduler app. The focus is on enabling longer, more meaningful interactions.

The event included both pre- and post-familiarisation tours, giving travel buyers a firsthand look at the diverse destinations and offerings within the region. Lillian Komunhangwe from Luxury African Tours in Rwanda praised the experience, saying, “I had an incredible fam trip with African Bush Camps through Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Africa’s Eden show itself was outstanding, and I’m excited to introduce more of my clients to this destination!”

Proflight and South African Airways, partnering with Africa’s Eden for the event, played a pivotal role in showcasing the best of what the region has to offer. “Our airline partnerships enabled us to deliver an exceptional experience that highlighted the unique attractions of our member countries,” added Blackbeard.

The next Africa’s Eden Hosted Buyer Show dedicated to African-domiciled buyers will take place April 2025 in Livingstone, Zambia. In addition, Africa’s Eden is set to host other regional trade shows throughout the year, including a virtual summit in June and a global travel trade show in Swakopmund, Namibia, in November.

For more info about Africa’s Eden Trade Shows click HERE