Mark your calendars for the 2024 Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), the continent's premier tourism and hotel investment conference. Scheduled from June 25 to June 27, 2024, AHIF is set to take place in the beautiful nation of Namibia. This conference attracts prominent international hotel owners, investors, financiers, management companies, and their advisors.

The event will be hosted at Namibia's Mövenpick and Mercure hotels, both of which underwent a complete renovation after being acquired in 2021 by a fund managed by Kasada Capital Management. This fund is a leading independent real estate private equity platform dedicated to the hospitality industry in Africa, and their investment is set to bring a fresh perspective to the hospitality scene in Namibia. Consequently, AHIF will proudly showcase the relaunch of these revitalized properties.

Delegates attending AHIF in 2024 are in for an exceptional experience, combining business with a touch of adventure. The weekend leading up to the conference will include various inspection trips to explore Namibia's top hospitality investment projects and tourism attractions. These include awe-inspiring desert landscapes, thrilling adventure sports, and unforgettable safaris where you can spot endangered black and white rhinos, antelopes, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hippos, lions, ostriches, and zebras.

These trips will be more than just educational; they will provide valuable networking opportunities. Delegates from AviaDev, Africa's premier airline route development conference, will also participate. AviaDev is scheduled at the same venue the week before AHIF, making it a strategic opportunity for networking with professionals from both industries.

In the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, Namibia's tourism sector experienced consistent growth. According to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, visitor numbers grew by an impressive 5% annually, from just under 1.2 million in 2012 to 1.6 million in 2019. However, the pandemic dealt a severe blow to the country's tourism industry, with visitor arrivals dropping below 200,000 in 2020.

Nangula Uaandja, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), expressed their excitement about hosting AHIF in 2024. They stated, "Securing the bid to host AHIF 2024 is not just a win for Namibia, but also an affirmation of our national potential. We are delighted to welcome the international hospitality investment community to explore the untapped investment potential of our tourism industry. Namibia is a strikingly beautiful country, with picturesque landscapes that are guaranteed to charm at first sight."

Moreover, Namibia is fully committed to attracting foreign investments that stimulate economic activity and job creation. The government's commitment is evident through their progressive regulatory and policy frameworks, a robust legal system, seamless profit repatriation, and an independent judiciary that safeguards the rights of all investors.

Olivier Granet, Managing Partner and CEO of Kasada Capital Management, expressed his pride in partnering with The Bench on AHIF 2024. He looks forward to welcoming guests to the newly refurbished Mövenpick and Mercure hotels. The extensive refurbishment of these hotel complexes and conference center reflects their strategy of enhancing the hospitality sector in key African cities.

Matthew Weihs, Managing Director of The Bench, which organizes AHIF, shared his excitement about the upcoming event. He mentioned, "We are very excited that AHIF will, for the first time, go to a SADC country next year. Investing in Africa is all about uncovering and seizing new opportunities. To do that, one needs to expand one's horizons by going to different places, meeting new people, and exploring alternative scenarios. By scheduling AHIF and AviaDev on either side of a weekend in Windhoek and offering a selection of inspection trips for our delegates, we aim to do just that, along with providing unrivaled networking opportunities, a vital ingredient for any conference."

The Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in Namibia promises not only insights into the hospitality investment sector but also unforgettable experiences exploring the natural grandeur of this stunning nation.