ETHCAN event highlight
World Tourism Day 2026 · Science Museum, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Digital Agenda & Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism

Join ETHCAN Events for a multi-day global celebration of tourism, technology and culture — 24 – 26 September 2026, at Science Museum, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Event Schedule
Addis Ababa Time · EAT / UTC+3
Thursday
September 24
9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday
September 25
9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday
September 26
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
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Smart TourismArtificial IntelligenceLand of OriginsInvest in EthiopiaPan-AfricanDigital AgendaCulture & HeritageAddis Ababa 2026Diaspora ConnectSustainable TravelSmart TourismArtificial IntelligenceLand of OriginsInvest in EthiopiaPan-AfricanDigital AgendaCulture & HeritageAddis Ababa 2026Diaspora ConnectSustainable Travel
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About ETHCAN Events

Ethiopia's Premium Stage for World-Class Events

ETHCAN Events is an Ethiopia-based premium events company organizing international conferences, business summits, tourism events and major national celebrations. From the diplomatic capital of Africa, we connect governments, industry leaders, investors and communities through unforgettable, world-standard experiences.

In September 2026, ETHCAN proudly hosts the World Tourism Day 2026 Celebration in Addis Ababa under the global theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism” — a landmark gathering placing Ethiopia at the centre of the world's conversation on the digital future of travel.

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Celebrating the Continent

PanAfrica Cultures

A journey through the vibrant diversity of Africa — from ancient traditions to contemporary creativity, spanning five regions and countless stories.

Ethiopian Culture
Taste of the Land of Origins

Ethiopian Culinary Heritage

Discover the rich flavors of Ethiopia — ancient grains, complex spice blends, communal dining traditions, and the birthplace of coffee itself.

Injera
እንጀራ

Injera

★ Flagship Event · September 2026

World Tourism Day 2026 Celebration

24 – 26 September 2026 · Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — a multi-day national and international programme under the global theme:

Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism

World Tourism Day preview
World Tourism Day preview
World Tourism Day preview
World Tourism Day preview
🏛️

High-Level Policy Dialogues

Ministers, ambassadors and global tourism leaders shaping Africa's digital tourism policy agenda.

🤖

AI & Smart Tourism Summit

The flagship summit exploring how artificial intelligence and smart destinations are redesigning global travel.

💰

Tourism Investment Forum

Curated deal-rooms connecting investors with hospitality, aviation and destination-development opportunities.

🏨

Destination & Hospitality Exhibitions

Destinations, hotels, airlines and travel-tech pioneers exhibiting to thousands of trade and public visitors.

🥁

Pan-African Cultural Programmes

Music, cuisine, fashion and heritage showcases celebrating Ethiopia and the entire African continent.

🌐

Diaspora Tourism & Investment Forum

Engaging the global Ethiopian diaspora as investors, ambassadors and co-creators of tourism growth.

Our Key Focus Areas

Five Pillars of ETHCAN

Every ETHCAN event is built on five pillars that connect Ethiopia's heritage with the continent's digital future.

01🤖

Technology & AI

Artificial intelligence, digital platforms and smart-destination tools redesigning how the world travels to and within Africa.

02🌍

Tourism

Positioning Ethiopia — the Land of Origins — as a leading global destination for culture, nature, adventure and faith tourism.

03💼

Business & Investment

Unlocking hospitality, aviation and destination-infrastructure investment through high-level forums and matchmaking.

04🎭

Culture & Heritage

Pan-African cultural programmes celebrating music, cuisine, fashion and the living heritage of 80+ Ethiopian nations.

05🤝

Diaspora & Partnership

Engaging the Ethiopian and African diaspora as investors, ambassadors and co-creators of the continent's tourism future.

Programme

Activities & Forums

Three days of summits, exhibitions, ceremonies and cultural celebration across Addis Ababa.

Grand Opening Ceremony
Day 1
Ceremonies & Exhibitions

Grand Opening Ceremony

Official opening with government leaders, UN Tourism representatives, diplomatic corps and cultural performances.

Morning Session: Opening Ceremony & New Year Celebrations

Afternoon Session: Cradle of Mankind Interactive Exhibition

Night Session: The Demera Cultural Night

The Digital Agenda & AI Summit
Day 2
Forums & Summits & Culture & Community

The Digital Agenda & AI Summit

Ministers, policymakers and industry leaders shape the digital agenda for African tourism policy.

Morning Session: AI & Smart Destination Forum

Afternoon Session: Tourism Investment & Business Networking Summit

Night Session: Virtual Reality (VR) Landscapes Showcase

Adventure, Eco-Tourism & Closing
Day 3
Culture & Community & Exhibitions

Adventure, Eco-Tourism & Closing

The flagship summit on artificial intelligence, big data and smart destinations redesigning global tourism.

Morning Session: Youth Tech Startup Pitches, Traditional Fashion Expo and culnary tasting

Afternoon Session: Closing Ceremony

Participation

Who Should Attend

World Tourism Day 2026 gathers the full ecosystem of tourism, technology, investment and culture — from heads of institutions to young innovators.

Government Ministries & AgenciesUN & International OrganizationsEmbassies & Diplomatic MissionsTourism Boards & DMOsAirlines & Aviation PartnersHotels & Hospitality GroupsTour Operators & Travel AgenciesInvestors & Development BanksAI & Travel-Tech CompaniesStartups & InnovatorsUniversities & ResearchersCultural Institutions & ArtistsMedia & Content CreatorsEthiopian & African DiasporaChambers of CommerceNGOs & Community OrganizationsStudents & Youth GroupsFriends of Ethiopia
Sponsors & Partners

Powered by Visionary Partners

World Tourism Day 2026 is delivered with national institutions, global brands and the champions of Ethiopian tourism.

Organised By

ETHCAN EventsPremium Events Company · Ethiopia

Host & Institutional Partners

Ministry of TourismFederal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Addis Ababa City AdministrationHost City
African UnionContinental Partner
UN Tourism LiaisonGlobal Observance

Official Partners

Ethiopian AirlinesOfficial Carrier
Ethiopian Skylight HotelOfficial Hotel
Ethio TelecomConnectivity Partner
Commercial Bank of EthiopiaBanking Partner

Supporting Partners

Tourism EthiopiaDestination Marketing
Addis ChamberBusiness Community
Ethiopian Hotels AssociationIndustry Body
Creative Hubs EthiopiaCulture & Innovation
National Media PartnersBroadcast & Press
Diaspora NetworksGlobal Community

Become a Sponsor or Partner

Position your brand before thousands of global delegates, ministers, investors and media at Africa's premier tourism celebration.

Request Partnership Deck
Investment Opportunities

Sponsorship Packages

ETHCAN Events offers tailored sponsorship packages for organizations looking to align with Africa's premier tourism celebration. Partner with us to showcase your brand to 300,000+ attendees, 15,000+ delegates, and global media across 60+ countries.

Premium Sponsor
Premium Sponsor
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Standard Sponsor
Standard Sponsor
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Registration

Join WTD 2026 in Addis Ababa

Choose how you want to participate. All submissions go directly to the ETHCAN Events team.

Submissions are sent securely via FormSubmit to ethcanevents@gmail.com