WTM Africa Banks on Women to Transform Tourism Leadership

Cape Town’s World Travel Market Africa has forged new alliances with Women in MICE and Women in Tourism (WIT) to confront gender disparities in Africa’s travel industry.

Announced during South Africa’s Women’s Month, the partnerships target a sector where women form 70% of the workforce but occupy fewer than 40% of management roles locally.

The centerpiece is a landmark breakfast at WTM Africa 2026, where Women in MICE will debut its 2026 awards—the first continental launch of its kind at a major African travel exhibition. “This collaboration breaks barriers and celebrates excellence,” says founder Antois Leigh Nepgen.

WIT follows with skill-building workshops led by Michelle Page, focusing on leadership confidence and personal branding. “Inclusion without accessibility is meaningless,” stresses facilitator Sherise Dreyer. “We’re shifting perceptions of who leads.”

These efforts dovetail with WTM’s NextGen Ready program, blending mentorship for young professionals with executive development.

For RX Africa, parent company of WTM, the timing aligns with MD Carol Weaving’s track record: her leadership drove 24% attendance growth across events last year. “Real change happens when efforts unite,” Weaving asserts.

As African tourism rebuilds post-pandemic, investing in women isn’t just equity—it’s economic strategy. With coups destabilizing neighboring regions, empowering female leaders offers a blueprint for stability through inclusion.