Position Brazil as an international showcase and benchmark for afrotourism, offering methodologies for product development, coordination and promotion through international cooperation strategies.
III Global Conference on Afrotourism and Sustainability
Our roots open paths
Connecting territories, honouring ancestry and building sustainable futures.
November 24–25, 2026
Teatro BNDES · Rio de Janeiro
About
A global meeting point for afrotourism
The III Global Conference on Afrotourism and Sustainability takes place on November 24–25, 2026, at Teatro BNDES in Rio de Janeiro. It brings together diplomatic representatives, public officials, entrepreneurs, researchers and community leaders from countries in Africa, the Americas and Europe.
Afrotourism is the segment devoted to cultural experiences in territories of African and Afro-diasporic heritage: routes and stays in traditional communities, community-based tourism, the creative economy and traditional cultural expressions. It is a growing market, yet one with little data and lacking consistent connections to international tourism.
The Conference takes place to bring together the people and institutions able to close these gaps.
Objectives
Promote a unified international agenda for sustainable afrotourism, strengthening cooperation networks among governments, entrepreneurs, researchers and civil society organisations.
Formalise a Declaration of International Cooperation for Afrotourism and foster bilateral agreements for afrotourism development, with a permanent cooperation network.
Connect entrepreneurs to the international market through business matchmaking, generating jobs and income.
Foster the creation and improvement of tourism products based on Afro-descendant cultures.
Event structure
Two days.
Official opening, panels, working groups and the collective drafting of the Declaration.
Signing of the Declaration, thematic tracks, paper sessions and business matchmaking, with three parallel events.
Expected outcomes
A Declaration signed by countries
At the close of the Conference, participating countries sign the International Declaration of Cooperation and bilateral agreements for joint afrotourism development projects. The programme also foresees the creation of a permanent international cooperation network and direct connections between Brazilian entrepreneurs and international buyers.
Audience
The Conference is intended for:
Programme
Two days of debate, culture and business
The event takes place at Teatro BNDES, Avenida República do Chile, 100, Centro, Rio de Janeiro.
Day 1 · November 24 Tuesday
9:00
Accreditation and breakfast
Teatro BNDES lobby
10:00–10:30
Opening Ceremony
10:30–10:45
Presentation of the Rotas Negras Programme Steering Committee
10:45–11:30
Opening panel “Understanding Afrotourism: market potential and relevance within the Sustainability theme”
With MIR, Embratur and Diaspora.Black.
11:30–12:00
Q&A and exchange session
12:00–14:00
Lunch
14:00–15:30
Session 1: Afrotourism Planning
Participatory methodology with idea rounds and exchanges among pre-defined working groups.
14:00–15:00
Parallel session
Launch of Settlement Tourism Routes
With the Ministry of Tourism.
BNDES Auditorium
15:00–16:00
Parallel session
Rotas Negras Good Practices
With MIR.
BNDES Auditorium
15:30–16:00
Working group presentations
16:00–16:30
Coffee break
16:00–17:00
Announcement of the Memória Viva Network
With IVPA, BNDES and Diaspora.Black.
BNDES Auditorium
16:30–17:30
Session 2: Applying the Prioritisation Matrix
17:30–18:10
Session 3: Presentation of priorities and adjustments
Day 2 · November 25 Wednesday
8:00
Accreditation and breakfast
Teatro BNDES lobby
9:00–11:00
Round table “Afrotourism Success Stories”
With Brazil, Colombia, the United States, Portugal, Angola and Benin.
BNDES Auditorium
9:30–10:00
Well-being activities
Teatro BNDES lobby
11:00–12:00
Signing Ceremony of the Declaration of Cooperation
Ministers, ambassadors and other leaders sign the Declaration and the bilateral agreements.
12:00–13:00
Lunch
14:00
Diplomacy agenda: Little Africa (Pequena África) famtour
Exclusive to diplomatic representatives, with at least three simultaneous groups on the Heritage Circuit.
14:00–15:00
Government track: Afrotourism Impact Indicators and Regulatory Frameworks for Heritage Protection
BNDES Auditorium
15:00–16:00
Business track: Market, sustainable business models and digital marketing for afrotourism destinations
BNDES Auditorium
15:00–17:00
Business Matchmaking
With a matchmaking methodology for agencies, guides and destinations.
Breakout rooms
16:00
Coffee break
Teatro BNDES lobby
16:00–18:00
18:00–19:00
Closing cocktail
Teatro BNDES lobby
November 25
13:00–18:00
13:00–17:00
Parallel events
13:00–18:00
National Gathering of Black Women Entrepreneurs
Teatro BNDES
Programme and registration
National Gathering of Agents of the Casas da Igualdade Racial (Houses of Racial Equality)
Organised by Brazil's Ministry of Racial Equality.
Teatro BNDES
Getting there
Teatro BNDES
Avenida República do Chile, 100,
Centro, Rio de Janeiro
Call for papers
Present your work at the Thematic Panels
The Conference welcomes paper submissions for the Thematic Panels on November 25, curated by Abrafro. Selected papers are presented in the BNDES Auditorium from 16:00 to 18:00.
Who can submit
Researchers and undergraduate and graduate students; public officials and technical staff from tourism, culture and racial equality bodies; afrotourism and community-based tourism entrepreneurs and collectives; civil society organisations; and territorial leaders.
How to submit
Submissions will be accepted from November 6 to November 16, 2026 through the link below.
Submit a paperThematic areas
Afrotourism case studies
Sustainability and regenerative tourism
Equity and distribution of economic benefits
Governance, public policy and regulatory frameworks
Innovation, technology and marketing
Connectivity and international cooperation
Tourism products, training and the value of ancestral knowledge
Who makes the Conference
Executive Production
Sponsorship
Co-organization
Organised by
Support
Registration
Register now
Places are limited, register now
Who can register
Representatives of public bodies and tourism, culture and racial equality departments; diplomatic representatives and international organisations; entrepreneurs and professionals in tourism and afrotourism; researchers and students; community leaders from quilombola and peripheral territories; representatives of civil society organisations and cultural collectives.
Venue: Teatro BNDES, Avenida República do Chile, 100, Centro, Rio de Janeiro