Akwaaba: Exploring Nigeria’s tourism potentials

For the eight years that it has been in existence, Akwaaba has served as a key tool through which West African countries had attracted tourists to its shores with 15 countries and 270 million people. Mr. Ikechi Uko, publisher of Africa Quarterly Travel (ATQ), which organised the event, said the forum was initiated to enable […]

For the eight years that it has been in existence, Akwaaba has served as a key tool through which West African countries had attracted tourists to its shores with 15 countries and 270 million people.

Mr. Ikechi Uko, publisher of Africa Quarterly Travel (ATQ), which organised the event, said the forum was initiated to enable the participants explore Nigeria’s tourism potential. “It is open to travel and tourism operators to network and showcase their products, services and learn of new devices and trends in the travel industry.

“The intention was to provide a marketing platform for travel companies in the region, creating avenues for the travel and tourism business.

“We also wanted to create a forum for companies in the travel business to have a sustained presence in the market, in a way that allows them to promote their products and expand their business horizon.”

Operating a feedback system, “Akwaaba helps businesses access contenders, new clients as well as enhance already existing relationships as businesses improve their corporate image.”

A hundred companies from Nigeria and other African countries in the travel, tourism and hospitality business participated in the exhibition. “This year’s edition holds a lot of promises as it is coming with all the regular features and events for the benefit of the exhibitors and the public,” Mr. Uko said.

This year’s outing brought together stakeholders from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia among other countries.  It is the gathering of tourism practitioners to do business. The Akwaaba Travel Market has become a landmark in the annual tourism calendar of West Africa. It has become a barometer to access the tourism market in Nigeria.

Uko said “for the first time, people understand what a travel expo is about; people know what to do and they are doing it well.”

Chief Olusegun Runsewe, Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) who declared the event open, told newsmen that the influx of participants was not a surprise. “Nigeria is done with talking; we are ready to sell the destination. The story the American hears is that nothing is working in Nigeria, but the story has changed as 70 per cent of American tourists are ready to visit Nigeria.”

Runsewe said   the NTDC was partnering the biggest U.S. tour operator, Mr Paul Cohen, to help build capacity for tourism operators. “Nigeria has been listed as one of the major preferred tourism destinations among African countries by the U.S. tour operator we know this from the achievement recorded through the U.S. road show, which the NTDC conducted.”

Nigeria’s first female pilot, and Rector of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Chinyere Kalu, along with Captain Desta Zera of Ethiopian Airways the first African to fly a Boeing 787 Dreamliner were honoured with the ‘Legend of Africa’ award. Cross River State for the third consecutive year won the ‘Outstanding Tourism State of the Year’.

The major airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Delta Airline, Ethiopia Airline, South Africa Airline amongst others were at the fair.

Winners at the end of the three-day fair were Cross River State: Best State Stand; The Gambia: Best International Stand; Emirates Airline: Best Airline Stand and Overall Best Stand; Fiesta Royale Hotel, Ghana: Best International Hotel Stand; National Park Board: Most Visited Stand and Protea Hotel Group: Best Hotel Stand.