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- Akwaaba 2009: Yet Another Splendid Outing
Akwaaba 2009: Yet Another Splendid Outing
- By Lucky George
- Published November 10th, 2009
- TravelWorld
- Unrated
AKWAABA African Travel Market [AFTM], a three-day event, which attracted exhibitors from within and outside Nigeria, created a rare avenue for tourism and travel experts to cross-fertilise ideas on new areas of investment opportunity, and how to sustain business network and innovation through a unified forum has come and gone.
However, the 2009 edition of the fair was not only seen from the angle of the exhibitors, corporate participants, delegates and visitors, whose encouraging response to the event almost overwhelmed the venue, as the venue was fuller than ever before, not mentioning the presence of some great African leaders, elder statesmen and prominent tourism promoters who also showed their support.
The organiser of AFTM, Mr. Ikechi Uko, through contact, hard-work and support, was able to attract likes of the former president of The Gambia, Sir Dawda Jawara; former vice president of Nigeria, Sir Alex Ekwueme; former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State; and the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, among others.
The event that kicks off penultimate Saturday got spiced up during the afternoon session, which drew and paraded international tourism experts who spoke on the need to reposition tourism in Africa for greater patronage by using a new media frame to market and promote tourism for effective development in Nigeria and across Africa.
Evan Ketter, spoke extensively on international contents as brands and authentic secret to tourism success in Africa. Others included: Hadjia Fatou Raji, Ag. Director-General, Ghana Tourism Authority, and Uloma Egbuna, from Tour Brokers International and the day was rounded up with a dinner and award night, where stakeholders in the tourism, travels and hospitality in Nigeria were honoured.
In the hospitality category, Protea Ikeja got the award for the best hotel in Lagos, Surprisingly, Nigerian Eagle Airline, emerged the best airline in West Africa, whilst well deserved; Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers received the best Tourism Governor of the year award.
Touch Down Travel Agency, emerged best travel agent in Nigeria; magically again, Captain Dapo Olumide of Nigerian Eagle Airline who has barely stayed for three months as the airline Chief Executive Officer of the year; Tour Brokers International, Best Tour Operator in Nigeria; La Palms Casino, Best Casino in West Africa; La Palms Royal Beach, Best Conference Hotel; Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Best Hotel in West Africa; Ethiopian Airline, Best Airline into Africa; Kenark, Best Tour Operator in Africa; Captain Irene, the first female African captain bagged the legends’ award, among others.
Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, expressed his enthusiasm and support for the Akwaaba initiative, describing it as a new dawn in the history of a regional market in Africa. Chief Anyaoku, stated further that fifth edition of Akwaaba was an evidence that tourism in Nigeria was real, adding that the event would open up the Nigeria market through the platform.
Also speaking, the former president of The Gambia, Sir Jawara Dawda, said that he was happy to be in the new Africa, where tourism is making in-road to lead in the economic development and promotion in the world.
Sir Jawara who was honoured with the Africa Legend of Travel Award, however called for regional development of tourism in Africa, saying that it would promote and strengthen peace and unity in Africa.
“Akwaaba African Travel Market is a good concept, which will promote economic growth, co-existence and coherence, hence it is a means of togetherness which will also help to reduce poverty.”
“Africa is unique, big and have comparative advantage in the tourism business, so the key thing is to use the rich tourism potentials on the continent to attract tourists from all parts of the world.” On his part, Governor Liyel Imoke, a recipient of the best tourism governor of the year award said he was delighted and honoured with the award and commended the organiser of the Akwaaba for sustaining the event and promised that Cross Rivers State would continue to improve on its tourism initiatives to maintain the tempo as a desire and preferred destination in Nigeria.” The director general of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation [NTDC], Otunba Olusegun Runsewe who called on the private sector to come out in support of Akwaaba as well as using the platform to reach the market for their products.
According to Runsewe, the NTDC would continue to support responsible and practical initiative invented by the private sectors to drive tourism effectively. Our plan is to see that tourism in Nigeria is accorded the right place in the scheme of things as spelt out in the 7-point Agenda of the federal government. “We would keep on innovating and support tourism activities directed at creating employment, generating revenue and marketing Nigeria rich tourism potentials to their world vis-a-vis working tirelessly to put oil to sleep and make tourism the pride of Nigeria.”
However, the 2009 edition of the fair was not only seen from the angle of the exhibitors, corporate participants, delegates and visitors, whose encouraging response to the event almost overwhelmed the venue, as the venue was fuller than ever before, not mentioning the presence of some great African leaders, elder statesmen and prominent tourism promoters who also showed their support.
The organiser of AFTM, Mr. Ikechi Uko, through contact, hard-work and support, was able to attract likes of the former president of The Gambia, Sir Dawda Jawara; former vice president of Nigeria, Sir Alex Ekwueme; former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State; and the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, among others.
The event that kicks off penultimate Saturday got spiced up during the afternoon session, which drew and paraded international tourism experts who spoke on the need to reposition tourism in Africa for greater patronage by using a new media frame to market and promote tourism for effective development in Nigeria and across Africa.
Evan Ketter, spoke extensively on international contents as brands and authentic secret to tourism success in Africa. Others included: Hadjia Fatou Raji, Ag. Director-General, Ghana Tourism Authority, and Uloma Egbuna, from Tour Brokers International and the day was rounded up with a dinner and award night, where stakeholders in the tourism, travels and hospitality in Nigeria were honoured.
In the hospitality category, Protea Ikeja got the award for the best hotel in Lagos, Surprisingly, Nigerian Eagle Airline, emerged the best airline in West Africa, whilst well deserved; Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers received the best Tourism Governor of the year award.
Touch Down Travel Agency, emerged best travel agent in Nigeria; magically again, Captain Dapo Olumide of Nigerian Eagle Airline who has barely stayed for three months as the airline Chief Executive Officer of the year; Tour Brokers International, Best Tour Operator in Nigeria; La Palms Casino, Best Casino in West Africa; La Palms Royal Beach, Best Conference Hotel; Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Best Hotel in West Africa; Ethiopian Airline, Best Airline into Africa; Kenark, Best Tour Operator in Africa; Captain Irene, the first female African captain bagged the legends’ award, among others.
Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, expressed his enthusiasm and support for the Akwaaba initiative, describing it as a new dawn in the history of a regional market in Africa. Chief Anyaoku, stated further that fifth edition of Akwaaba was an evidence that tourism in Nigeria was real, adding that the event would open up the Nigeria market through the platform.
Also speaking, the former president of The Gambia, Sir Jawara Dawda, said that he was happy to be in the new Africa, where tourism is making in-road to lead in the economic development and promotion in the world.
Sir Jawara who was honoured with the Africa Legend of Travel Award, however called for regional development of tourism in Africa, saying that it would promote and strengthen peace and unity in Africa.
“Akwaaba African Travel Market is a good concept, which will promote economic growth, co-existence and coherence, hence it is a means of togetherness which will also help to reduce poverty.”
“Africa is unique, big and have comparative advantage in the tourism business, so the key thing is to use the rich tourism potentials on the continent to attract tourists from all parts of the world.” On his part, Governor Liyel Imoke, a recipient of the best tourism governor of the year award said he was delighted and honoured with the award and commended the organiser of the Akwaaba for sustaining the event and promised that Cross Rivers State would continue to improve on its tourism initiatives to maintain the tempo as a desire and preferred destination in Nigeria.” The director general of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation [NTDC], Otunba Olusegun Runsewe who called on the private sector to come out in support of Akwaaba as well as using the platform to reach the market for their products.
According to Runsewe, the NTDC would continue to support responsible and practical initiative invented by the private sectors to drive tourism effectively. Our plan is to see that tourism in Nigeria is accorded the right place in the scheme of things as spelt out in the 7-point Agenda of the federal government. “We would keep on innovating and support tourism activities directed at creating employment, generating revenue and marketing Nigeria rich tourism potentials to their world vis-a-vis working tirelessly to put oil to sleep and make tourism the pride of Nigeria.”
