Ms. Jillian Blackbeard

Jillian Blackbeard’s passion lies in Africa Tourism and Conservation. She has been leading the industry for over 10 years in various marketing roles, first for a Southern African hotel and resort chain, followed by five years as director for marketing and product development at Botswana Tourism Organisation, and Director for Africa for The World Travel and Tourism Association.

Jillian is now the CEO of The Victoria Falls Regional Tourism Association, the first purely private sector driven organisation representing the entire KAZA region (Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe) which is undertaking an ambition destination marketing strategy and campaign at all levels of the tourism supply chain. Jillian’s passions extend to conservation, managing the Tlhokomela Endangered Wildlife Trust for five years and continues to support projects that link tourism with conservation.

She has spoken at international conferences and events on the importance of Intra-African Travel and opportunities and challenges for the sector across the African continent.