Senator Ita-Giwa, one of Nigeria’s popular socialites and winner of Africa Travel 100 Women in Tourism led visitors that set the South African Tourism Stand agog and making it a delightful experience for all delegated and attendees to the 14th AKWAABA African Travel Market held at Eko Hotel and Suites on Lagos from the 9th to the 11th of September 2018.
With a characteristic South African flavor, colours and models clad in the country’s attire with a big screen that showcased the best destinations in South Africa throughout the days of the exhibitions and travel show, South African Tourism stand eventually won the Best Stand Award of the 14th Akwaaba 2018.
Top African celebrities who visited the stand include veteran Ghanaian actor, Van Vicker; Nigeria’s famous Singer, Producer, Actor, Banky W; resounding Nigerian Contemporary Vocalist and Chanter, Ire ‘D’ Stage Diva were among so many notable celebrities and VIP personalities who visited the South African Tourism destination stand.
Other VIPs and award recipients of the Africa Top 100 Tour Operators who also visited the stand include Mr. David Lamidi & Wonuola Olatunde-Lamidi CEO & MD, Diamonds & Pearls Travel and Tours; Odion Chigbufue, GM, Tour Brokers Int’l Nigeria; Nigeria and Olanma Alvanis Ojukwu, MD, GOTA Voyages, Benin.
Other visitors to the stand are Stella Fubara, Africa Director, Dubai Tourism; Nkereuwem Onung Chairman/CEO, Remlords Tours, Nigeria; Ifedayo Andrew-Ogunbayo, CEO, Fidol Trips Nigeria; Edinyanga Uko, MD, Travelkulture; Chiamaka Obuekwe-Ntia, Co-founder/CEO, Social Prefect Tours; Sam Adeleke of Afro Tourism Nigeria; Chidimma Nwanya, Lead Travel Consultant, Nje Tours Nigeria; Cecilia Doumbe, MD, CMD Tours Nigeria; Tinuke Nwakohu, MD, Aviator Travel and Tours and Funmi Rotiba, MD, Special Tours, Nigeria.
Also Mr. Steve Isokariari, National Association on Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) & MD, Dial Travels Nigeria; Hajiya Bilikisu, Abdul President NATOP and MD, BBOOG Travel and Tours; FTAN President, Alhaji Rabo Kareem; HATMAN President, Mr. Badaki Aliyu Ajayi; NANTA National VP, Susan Akporiaye MD, Topaz Travels; NANTA VP Lagos Zone, Mrs. Lola Adewale; NANTA VP Western Zone, Mr. Dagunduro Tokunbo all of Nigeria and from Ghana, Mr. Kwesi Eyison, President TOUGHA and CEO, Pacific Tours and Mr. Ahmed Naaman, GHATOF Representative visited the South African Tourism destination stand.
Shirley Nailantei CEO Convette Group Kenya; Mr. Consaga Khisa, MD, Destination Connect, Kenya; Juma Hamadi Khalidi, MD, Palm Tours, Tanzania; Davidson Mugisha MD, Wildlife Tours Rwanda among a lot of other visitors too numerous to mention.
Akwaaba African Travel Market is the biggest Travel & Tourism Show in West Africa hosting exhibitors and buyers to meet with airlines, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, travel agents, state tourism boards, foreign trade and tourism sectors from over 20 countries in Africa and the UAE.
Making a mark this year at AKWAABA was South African Tourism, with its alluring and fascinating destination stand where it engaged with Trade, Consumers and Exhibitors alike, sharing information on the amazing offerings the destination has to offer in line with the focus of the event for this year 2018 which included; introducing and encouraging African tour operators who promote African destinations to Africans, growing future of Aviation in Africa, showcasing wining and dining as a key element of tourism through food fair, wedding destinations, SPA and Wellness across Africa and engaging youths in Africa Tourism & Travel.
At the opening, Trade Relations Manager, West Africa for South African Tourism, Mr. Mohammed Tanko Kwajaffa received the DG, Nigerian National Council for Arts & Culture (NCAC), Chief Otunba Olusegun Runsewe who declared the exhibition open alongside other top dignitaries from across the continent at the South African Tourism Destination Stand. The DG expressed his admiration saying “We are very proud of South Africa as they made the whole of Africa proud during the World Cup 2010 as the first African Country to host the World Cup”.
Mohammed Kwajaffa, explained the huge impact AKWAABA has brought to Africa ‘s travel trade and tourism saying, “One of the key game changer at Akwaaba Travel Market this year was the inclusion of the Local & Small scale Tour Operators & Travel Agents to exhibit as it attracted more foot fall from their own clients & followers.”
Kwajaffa extended a huge appreciation to the founder of AKWAABA, Mr. Ikechi Uko for organizing a good event this year and also thanked Stakeholders from National Association of Nigeria travel Agency, Nigeria Association of Tour Operators & Tour Operators of Ghana who visited the stand to show their continued support and partnership.
“This gave us opportunity to showcase destination South Africa to more than the usual clientele hence reaffirming SAT’s commitment to supporting such initiatives & activities in the market. Congratulations to all the award winners of the Top 100 Africa Tour Operators and the organizers for a well-organized event”, he further said.
AKWAABA is a valuable opportunity for the African Trade Market to network and discuss trade businesses with others across the continent.
By Renn Offor