By Kitty J. Pope
Ikechi Uko, a foremost tourism leader in Africa is not one to slow down because of challenges or impending threats. Perhaps that is why he has accomplished so much and made so many inroads in the tourism field. The founder/publisher of Africa Travel Quarterly Magazine, he does not hesitate to go in and everywhere throughout Africa. And the xenophobia threat in South Africa did not stop him from attending the 35th Indaba travel expo in Durban, South Africa on May 9-11.
South African townships had experienced xenophobic violence with one of the latest wave of xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals occurring in the province of KwaZulu-Natal where at least six people were killed and thousands displaced from their homes. Many believe that the xenophobic Black-on-Black violence spreading across South Africa is a direct result of centuries of White-on-Black violence and oppression. Defined as a hatred, dislike or fear of foreigners, xenophobia can be related to internalized racism when there is black-on-black violence.
With some of the xenophobic violence occurring in Durban, Uko was not deterred from attending Indaba there. “I am making this trip to Durban for two reasons,” explains Uko, the organizer of AKWAABA, a travel expo that hosts the largest gathering of tourism and tourism-related professionals in West Africa. “First, this is Africa and we are all one people, from different places with diverse cultures.” The second reason is the fact that South Africa Tourism attended AKWAABA last year along with Kenya and Rwanda when everybody withdrew because of Ebola.”
Because of the Ebola outbreak West Africa with largest concentration in Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, many people expected Uko to cancel the annual AKWAABA, an event that has grown larger each year. Even the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation did not participate in AKWAABA last year because of the Ebola scare. But Uko was determined to carry on and the event was successful despite the loom of Ebola. Even though some withdrew, AKWAABA still drew many people from the travel industry. South African Tourism stood with Uko and attended AKWAABA.
For 2015 Indaba, Uko was happy to meet up with his friends from Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Rwanda who had supported him during AKWAABA last year. Because South Africa Tourism supported him, the xenophobia issue that is in the news all over the world was not enough to deter Uko from coming to support his South African Tourism friends. Other associates of Uko from Nigeria attended Indaba to show support for South Africa also.
Upon arrival to Durban, Uko received a hearty Zulu welcome from tourism officials, some who expressing how embarrassing it is to have the xenophobic attacks in their country. They welcomed Uko home and told him to enjoy South Africa.
“Everyone I meet was so apologetic. They even asked me how Nigerians felt about the xenophobic madness,” said Uko. All kinds of thoughts went through his head. Is it genuine or just lip service he thought? Uko concluded that South Africans were sincere and were really sorry about the consequences of the silly acts of some youths. One young boy at the airport assured Uko that he was safe in Durban. The hotel staff made him welcome and feel secure. Uko enjoyed a typical Zulu welcome African welcome home in Durban.
The country’s Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom officially opened the Indaba, Africa’s biggest trade travel show bringing buyers and sellers of tourism together under one roof. “We have 20 African countries participating, more than 1,000 exhibitors and 750 media people,” Hanekom said. He went on to denounce recent xenophobic attacks on “certain foreigners living in South Africa,” calling them deplorable. He said the criminal actions of a few would not be tolerated.” Hanekom spoke about the value of tourism to the African continent and the importance of collaboration, co-operation and partnerships in tourism.
The official opening also included song and dance along with several speeches to a capacity audience with tourism representatives from 20 participating countries. The 
opening ceremony brought on a group performing the “Pata Pata” that was made famous in the 60’s by legendary singer/ activist Miriam Makeba, who was from South Africa. The crowd was also dazzled by a performance by a Kenyan band. The travel trade show was held at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Center. Indaba’s planners prepared for 9,000 visitors including travel media from across the globe. The first Indaba under Tourism Minister Hanekom, he branded this year’s show as the Face of Africa with the theme: “No other show brings more African exhibitors together.”
Present this year were representatives from hotels, game lodges, marine tourism, cultural tourism, spa facilities, wilderness, guest houses, B&Bs and culinary travel and other industries related to travel. Most African countries showed support with prominent showcases and stands manned by travel and tourism officials. Many dignitaries, tourism ministers and travel delegations were in attendance.
Uko, who spearhead the Seven Natural Wonders of Nigeria, is happy to have attended and feels that Indaba 2015 was a success. He was impressed that African Tourism Boards and practitioners stood with South African Tourism during this tough period. Preparing for the latest event Weizo, which takes place in Accra, Ghana on July 3, 2015, Uko is proud of how Africa remains resilient during times of challenges and struggles. Accra Weizo will bring together over 150 major players in travel and tourism in West Africa and honour 20 outstanding travel personalities for their roles in building trade across the Sub-Region of Africa.
