WTM Africa 2026 Programme to Address AI, Wine Tourism and Skills Development

WTM Africa 2026, set to take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 13 to 15 April, has released a programme of more than 70 sessions addressing key shifts shaping the continent’s tourism sector. Highlights include a newly introduced Wine Tourism Track, developed in partnership with the Wine Tourism Conference, which will explore how destinations can capitalise on the growing global wine tourism market and conclude with the premiere of a Blaauwklippen documentary alongside a curated Visit Stellenbosch wine tasting experience. The programme also features the return of IBTM Africa, focusing on the MICE sector, and the relaunch of the Sports and Events Tourism Exchange (SETE) in partnership with Nielsen Sports.

Skills development and artificial intelligence feature prominently across the three-day agenda, with sessions examining hybrid roles that combine digital capabilities with traditional tourism expertise. WiT Africa and Innovation City Cape Town will host a dedicated roundtable on leadership in the age of AI, bringing together industry mentors and under-35 rising stars to explore the competencies needed as the sector enters a technology-enabled phase. Sustainability remains a central pillar through the Responsible Tourism Conference and Awards. Marketing manager at RX Africa, Olivia Gradidge, said each session is “designed as a resource for attendees to learn, share knowledge, and better understand where their next big opportunities or pitfalls lie.”