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NEWS
Speakers and theme unveiled for Africa Wellness Congress in October
POSTED 11 Sep 2025 . BY Helen Andrews
The conference is being organised by HAB France Credit: Es Saadi Marrakech Resort
Professionals from hospitality, wellness and spa industries will meet with investors, policymakers and architects to discuss the continent's future wellness markets
Speakers will include experts from Europe, the US and across Africa
The event is being supported by the Global Wellness Institute’s Africa Wellness Initiative
The first edition of an industry event called the Africa Wellness Congress will take place between 13-14 October at the Es Saadi Marrakech Resort in Morocco.

The conference is being organised by HAB France and the theme will be “Pioneering investment and business in Africa’s Wellness Industry”.

The event is designed to unite investors, hotel and spa professionals, wellness experts, architects and policymakers to discuss and make plans for the continent’s future wellness industries.

The programme includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, pre-scheduled appointments with other attendees and the opportunity to network.

Specialists from a number of different fields in hospitality and wellness from locations including Africa, Europe and the US, will share their expertise. These speakers include:

• Hamid Bentahar, president, National Confederation of Tourism (Morocco)
• Kent Richards, founder, Wellness World Global and member of Africa Wellness Initiative (UK)
• Mariane Akwenye, founder, Nomad Wellness and chair of Africa Wellness Initiative, (Namibia)
• Trevor Ward, partner, W Hospitality (Nigeria)
• Patrick Saussay, founder, GPSA consulting company (France)
• Adel Koubaji, director, Vichy Thermalia Moulay Yacoub (Morocco)
• Amy McDonald, founder, Under a Tree (USA)
• Asma El Mernissi, founder, Maison d’Asa (Morocco)
• Walid El Mernissi, GM, Maison d’Asa (Morocco)
• Sarah Idhajoub, spa manager, Oberoi Marrakech (Morocco)
• Fadhel Bouaziz, founder and president of Blanchisserie Bouaziz Sfax (Tunisia)
• Beth Gatonye, founder, Seeing Hands (Zimbabwe)
• Caroline Bauchet-Bouhlal, group deputy general manager, Es Saadi Marrakech Resort (Morocco)
• Gil Amsallem, founder, AMS Formation (France)
• Sophie Agullana, wellness project consultant (Switzerland)
• Grace Zichawo, founder, Elite School of Beauty (Zimbabwe)
• Professor Jacques Houroupou Mbambai, founder, Maison du Bien-être (Tchad)
• Martin Goldmann, CEO, ASPA International (Portugal)
• Rumbiey Muchenje, certified sleep and integrative health coach (Rwanda)

The event is being supported by the Global Wellness Institute’s Africa Wellness Initiative, the National Confederation of Tourism in Morocco, Luxe Radio and other industry stakeholders.

Tickets can now be purchased on the Congress’ website, here.

HAB France

HAB France is a publisher of French trade magazine Beauty Forum and its other events include the Medi Wellness Congress, Forum de l’Esthétique et du Spa and Beauty Business days.
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NEWS
Speakers and theme unveiled for Africa Wellness Congress in October
POSTED 11 Sep 2025 . BY Helen Andrews
The conference is being organised by HAB France Credit: Es Saadi Marrakech Resort
Professionals from hospitality, wellness and spa industries will meet with investors, policymakers and architects to discuss the continent's future wellness markets
Speakers will include experts from Europe, the US and across Africa
The event is being supported by the Global Wellness Institute’s Africa Wellness Initiative
The first edition of an industry event called the Africa Wellness Congress will take place between 13-14 October at the Es Saadi Marrakech Resort in Morocco.

The conference is being organised by HAB France and the theme will be “Pioneering investment and business in Africa’s Wellness Industry”.

The event is designed to unite investors, hotel and spa professionals, wellness experts, architects and policymakers to discuss and make plans for the continent’s future wellness industries.

The programme includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, pre-scheduled appointments with other attendees and the opportunity to network.

Specialists from a number of different fields in hospitality and wellness from locations including Africa, Europe and the US, will share their expertise. These speakers include:

• Hamid Bentahar, president, National Confederation of Tourism (Morocco)
• Kent Richards, founder, Wellness World Global and member of Africa Wellness Initiative (UK)
• Mariane Akwenye, founder, Nomad Wellness and chair of Africa Wellness Initiative, (Namibia)
• Trevor Ward, partner, W Hospitality (Nigeria)
• Patrick Saussay, founder, GPSA consulting company (France)
• Adel Koubaji, director, Vichy Thermalia Moulay Yacoub (Morocco)
• Amy McDonald, founder, Under a Tree (USA)
• Asma El Mernissi, founder, Maison d’Asa (Morocco)
• Walid El Mernissi, GM, Maison d’Asa (Morocco)
• Sarah Idhajoub, spa manager, Oberoi Marrakech (Morocco)
• Fadhel Bouaziz, founder and president of Blanchisserie Bouaziz Sfax (Tunisia)
• Beth Gatonye, founder, Seeing Hands (Zimbabwe)
• Caroline Bauchet-Bouhlal, group deputy general manager, Es Saadi Marrakech Resort (Morocco)
• Gil Amsallem, founder, AMS Formation (France)
• Sophie Agullana, wellness project consultant (Switzerland)
• Grace Zichawo, founder, Elite School of Beauty (Zimbabwe)
• Professor Jacques Houroupou Mbambai, founder, Maison du Bien-être (Tchad)
• Martin Goldmann, CEO, ASPA International (Portugal)
• Rumbiey Muchenje, certified sleep and integrative health coach (Rwanda)

The event is being supported by the Global Wellness Institute’s Africa Wellness Initiative, the National Confederation of Tourism in Morocco, Luxe Radio and other industry stakeholders.

Tickets can now be purchased on the Congress’ website, here.

HAB France

HAB France is a publisher of French trade magazine Beauty Forum and its other events include the Medi Wellness Congress, Forum de l’Esthétique et du Spa and Beauty Business days.
MORE NEWS
Jessica Sloyan establishes UK Academy of Sound and Therapeutic Arts
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer immersive wellness experiences.
ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa – which is due to open in 2028.
AI firm Midjourney enters wellness with spa, fitness and body scanning concept
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Founded in Italy in 1961 by visionary Giorgio Colletto, Myrtha Wellness has become a global pioneer [more...]
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+ More catalogues  

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23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

SpaTec North America

Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
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ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
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PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS