African Tourism Investor Awards attract leading partners

International Tourism investors from the Middle East, Europe and North America amongst others have already confirmed their participation for the Tourism Investor Awards ceremony which takes place on February 25, 2008 at The Sandton Convention Centre in South Africa .

"We are delighted with the huge international investor interest and exciting investment projects submitted for the Tourism Investment Awards. There is no doubt with partners such as the UNWTO and Africa Travel Channel the Awards ceremony will one time opportunity for international and African hospitality investors to discuss a number of exciting projects to be showcased on the evening", Hubert Danso, vice chairman, Africa Investor Awards said.

Among the hotly contested categories are several African Ministers of Tourism nominated for the African Tourism Minister of the Year Award. The Awards organized by London based Africa investor are supported by a high level judging panel which includes: Geoffrey Lipman, a professor, assistant secretary general, UNWTO and chairman of judging panel, Estherine Lisinge-Fotabong, NEPAD; Irene Visser, International Finance Corporation (IFC); Trevor Ward, W Hospitality Group; Kate Rivett-Carnac, Director of Tourism, DTI, South Africa and the driving force behind TINAPA, (Africa’s prestigious Business Resort), and Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Nigeria.

Tourism Investor Awards will be provided for the following categories: Tourism Investment Programme of the Year, Business Resort of the Year, Tourism Promotion Agency (TPA) of the Year, Hospitality Management Team of the Year, Sustainable Tourism Investment of the Year, Best Initiative in Facilitating SME Tourism Investment, Hotel Investment of the Year, Tourism Investment Advisor of the Year, Business Airline of the Year, Ti 2010 Legacy Investment of the Year and Business Travel Insurer of the Year and now African Tourism Minister of the Year.