Creatives Connect Afrika is heading back to Accra with a plan to make African entertainment a bigger source of travel income. The second event is set for Alisa Hotel North Ridge, where artists, investors, tourism bosses, and state officials will meet to talk business.
And there is quite a bit on the agenda. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat is leading the event, with Africa Tourism Partners (ATP) and Black Star Experience (BSE) helping out. Guests from the diaspora are set to join their peers on the continent.
This round puts entertainment-led tourism at the heart of the talks. The idea is to get more people to visit African nations for concerts, films, sports, fashion, and local culture. That could bring more work to hotels, travel firms, shops, and people who run events.
Last year's debut had a more direct focus on film, fashion, and music as forms of trade. Those who took part raised issues such as funding, travel rules, rights over creative work, and access to new markets. This new edition takes a wider view of how the arts can help tourism grow.
First up will be a class on trade in services under AfCFTA. Tourism boards and rule makers will have their chance to meet, while some talks will take place behind closed doors. Senior guests will then join panel chats on policy, trade, and ways to help firms work across borders.
Film fans have a fair bit to look forward to as well. A special festival will feature animation, stop-motion work, and digital stories. People who make films can meet others in the field and chat about shoot sites, film sales, and ways movies can bring tourists to new places.
Music and sports will get their share of attention. Live acts and big games can give fans a reason to travel, and guests will look at how host cities can gain from such trips. Yoga, fitness, and mindfulness will feature in sessions on health and wellness travel.
Then comes the business side. Trade displays, cultural shows, and meet-ups with potential backers will give firms a chance to make new contacts. An investment forum is part of the plan, with the hope that good ideas can lead to real deals.
But African creators still face some tough hurdles. Money can be hard to get, and rules on travel can make it tough for artists to work in other nations. Weak facilities, gaps in skills, and problems with selling creative work add to the strain.
Those issues will get a fair bit of focus at the event. Guests will look at ways to ease trade, guard creative rights, attract funds, and help firms reach more buyers. AfCFTA offers a way for nations to work on such goals through shared trade
And there is quite a bit on the agenda. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat is leading the event, with Africa Tourism Partners (ATP) and Black Star Experience (BSE) helping out. Guests from the diaspora are set to join their peers on the continent.
This round puts entertainment-led tourism at the heart of the talks. The idea is to get more people to visit African nations for concerts, films, sports, fashion, and local culture. That could bring more work to hotels, travel firms, shops, and people who run events.
Last year's debut had a more direct focus on film, fashion, and music as forms of trade. Those who took part raised issues such as funding, travel rules, rights over creative work, and access to new markets. This new edition takes a wider view of how the arts can help tourism grow.
First up will be a class on trade in services under AfCFTA. Tourism boards and rule makers will have their chance to meet, while some talks will take place behind closed doors. Senior guests will then join panel chats on policy, trade, and ways to help firms work across borders.
Film fans have a fair bit to look forward to as well. A special festival will feature animation, stop-motion work, and digital stories. People who make films can meet others in the field and chat about shoot sites, film sales, and ways movies can bring tourists to new places.
Music and sports will get their share of attention. Live acts and big games can give fans a reason to travel, and guests will look at how host cities can gain from such trips. Yoga, fitness, and mindfulness will feature in sessions on health and wellness travel.
Then comes the business side. Trade displays, cultural shows, and meet-ups with potential backers will give firms a chance to make new contacts. An investment forum is part of the plan, with the hope that good ideas can lead to real deals.
But African creators still face some tough hurdles. Money can be hard to get, and rules on travel can make it tough for artists to work in other nations. Weak facilities, gaps in skills, and problems with selling creative work add to the strain.
Those issues will get a fair bit of focus at the event. Guests will look at ways to ease trade, guard creative rights, attract funds, and help firms reach more buyers. AfCFTA offers a way for nations to work on such goals through shared trade
