Cotonou-bound travellers gain new 2027 event: summit's first Africa edition

The Black Travel Summit will stage its first-ever African edition in Cotonou, Benin, in 2027, bringing together travel and tourism professionals from Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and other regions. The announcement was made at the Black Travel Awards Gala in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 17 October 2026.

Key facts

• Where: Cotonou, Benin
• When: 2027 — exact dates not yet announced
• What: the first African edition of the Black Travel Summit
• Partner: Benin Tourism
• Announced: 17 October 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

What is the Black Travel Summit?

The summit focuses on international exchange and business collaboration across the global Black travel community. It was founded in the United States by Anita Moreau in 2019.

The event was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2025 before returning to the United States for its 2026 edition in Milwaukee. The 2027 gathering in Cotonou will be the first time the summit is held in Africa.

Why Benin?

The choice of Benin follows initial discussions between Benin Tourism and the summit organisers at the 2025 event in Rio de Janeiro. The 2027 edition aims to strengthen connections between Africa and the global diaspora while creating opportunities for cross-border partnerships and market development.

Research by the Black Travel Alliance and MMGY Travel Intelligence found that Black American leisure travellers took 184.12 million trips in 2023, generating an estimated US$145 billion in spending.

What this means for travellers

Travel and tourism professionals from Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and other regions are the intended audience for the Cotonou edition. Anyone considering attending should watch for the announcement of dates, programme details and participation information.

Those details will be published through the Black Travel Summit and Benin Tourism websites. No dates, programme or participation arrangements for the 2027 summit have been confirmed at this stage.