The significant economic benefits to host countries of the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) have been quantified in an independent assessment by the international audit, tax and advisory experts, Grant Thornton.

The total contribution of the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) to African economies is estimated at $16.8 million.

The headline figures include direct, indirect and induced financial benefits – accepted economic multipliers – and run from the first AHIF in Morocco in 2011 to Rwanda last year.

On average, hosting an AHIF event brings a million dollars in direct benefit to the local economy, an additional 1.4 million dollars in indirect benefit and a substantial six-figure sum in tax to the host government.

Evidence of the successful impact of AHIF – organised by Bench Events – comes ahead of the seventh edition taking place in Kigali, October 10 – 12, 2017.

Like last year, this year's edition will run alongside the airline route development conference, AviaDev, which together attract some of the leading executives from the worlds of aviation and hotels.