Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) Podcast

She raises the positive effects of the coming together of different sectors to help communicate a renewed image of Africa.

Africa’s image is still shaped by negative factors, such as war, famine and instability, and so it is important for the entire continent to work together in portraying the positive realities that are often overlooked.

This podcast is part of an official series supporting the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF). To attend, please visit www.africa-conference.com.

He marks the clear objectives that will position Africa more strongly and positively to the rest of the world, thus creating a new ‘brand’ entirely.

He emphasises that by key airlines such as Kenya Airways, South African Airlines and Rwandair are connecting Africa to the rest of the world, thus opening the door to investors and tourism, and for leaders to exchange culture and build new concepts through technology.

This podcast is part of an official series supporting the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF). To attend, please visit www.africa-conference.com.

In his second podcast from his travels in Africa, Matthew Weihs prepares for the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) brand exercise in Ghana.

Held in Accra, the UNWTO Brand Africa Conference aims to fight the negative stereotypes associated with the African continent.

In this podcast, Matthew discusses his major findings on why so many business are still sceptical of expanding their business into Africa.

His discoveries show that 71% of individuals that he spoke with are still hugely influenced by the media, citing concerns around security, safety and the negative images portrayed around Africa.

His findings also highlight the importance for African governments to make it easier for the investment community to do business, and implement process that will save time, energy and effort.

There are hopes that, by working collaboratively, the 54 member states of Africa will succeed in convincing those still wary of doing business in the continent to break away from their misguided perceptions of what Africa has to offer.

Regis spoke on the next 5 years, Kigali as a “constantly moving” city, improvements in safety and foreign direct investment. Regis is also very positive about the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) coming to Rwanda in 2016. For more information on AHIF, please visit www.africa-conference.com.

Christoph M. Strahm, GM of Kempinski, Kigali (the original Hotel Rwanda) talks about the iconic hotel, balance the history with change and the upward opportunity of the region.

To attend the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) 2016 please visit www.Africa-Conference.com.

John Mirenge is the CEO of RwandAir, currently transporting half a million passengers worldwide. Bench Events MD, Matthew Weihs, records his second podcast in Kigali, Rwanda, with Mr Mirenge to talk over some of the following points:

• Growing 5 fold in the last 5 years

• The race to a million passengers by 2018

• Competing with other large scale African airline carriers

• African business travel into China

• Development and improvements within the current airport and new airports

• The increased number of hotels in Kigali

Mr Mirenge also states that the coming of the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) to Kigali in 2016 is timed perfectly and will be one of the best things to happen to Rwanda. Information on AHIF can be found at www.africa-conference.com.

Matthew shares insight into the region’s tourism and growth.  He talks about the “hidden gem” nature of Rwanda and the ease of doing business as it grows as an ambitious hub for Africa.

The Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) will be held here in 2016.  Hotel Des Mille Collines by Kempinski was a deal done by the Rwandan Development Board at a previous AHIF - so now the event comes full circle.  A great short introduction to the region and what to expect in 2016.  Information on AHIF can be found at www.africa-conference.com.