By Friday Nwosu
Zimbabwean Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Dr. Walter Mzembi is billed to speak at the 12th edition of Akwaaba, African Travel Market 2016 holding at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos
A high powered delegation from the Ministry of Tourism will be accompanying the minister to the event which will commence on the 30th of October, 2016.
A letter from the Ministry sent to the organizers of the event, confirmed that Zimbabwe will be well represented at the Travel and Tourism conference.
Mzembi who has received many accolades for promoting tourism in Africa, is also the continent’s official candidate for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary General’s post.
It said the Zimbabwean Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality would be happy to work with the organizers of Akwaaba in the promotion of tourism in Africa.
He is expected to join other tourism experts from across Africa to speak on various topics bordering on the tourism industry in the continent.
Speakers for the Travel and Tourism conference include: Rick Taylor, CEO Business Tourism Company, South Africa; Bob Bamgboye, CEO Current Link; Damian Cook, Founder e-Tourism Frontiers, Kenya; Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Former NTDC DG; and Gabe Onah, Chairman Calabar Carnival.
Other speakers lined up for the conference are: Danny Kioupouroglou, General Manager Eko Hotel & Suites, Kusha Dutta, MD Jumia Travels; Philip Aekesson, Country Manager TravelStart and Waturi Wa Matu, Former Coordinator for the East Africa Tourism Platform (EATP), among others.
Topics lined up for the event include: Immigration as a Catalyst for Growth of Travel and Tourism in Africa; The State of Tourism in Africa; Tourism Planning; A needed tool for Sustainable Tourism Development; Hotel Standardization and Classification as a tool for Tourism Growth; Meeting, Incentives, Convention and Events in Africa.
Other topics are, Hotel Standardization and Classification as a tool for Tourism Growth; Growing Tourism with Fashion and Entertainment in Africa.
The Travel and Tourism Conference also has an aviation section with the topic ‘The State of Aviation and Why Airlines Fail’. It will feature captains of industry in the aviation sector lined up to discuss the challenges facing the aviation sector.
Speakers for the section include the Former DG, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren; former MD FAAN, Richard Aisuebeogun; former MD, Virgin Nigeria, Capt. Dapo Olumide; COO, AWA, Capt. Samuel Thompson; and Chris Aligbe, CEO Belujane Konzult.
Other speakers are, Yomi Jones former MD Nigeria Airways; and Capt. Mike Omokore, CEO Broadlink Aviation.
Last Year, the 11th edition of Akwaaba featured rated experts like Seyi Olusanya of Once Upon a Destination, who delivered a paper on Planning a Destination Wedding, Adefunke Adeyemi of IATA Regional Head, Member and External Relations Africa and the Middle East, lectured on Transforming Intra-Africa Air Connectivity and Captain Ado Sanusi, Deputy Managing Director, Arik Air, also delivered a lecture at the Aviation Day that attracted travel agents and tour operators in Nigeria and the West- African Coast, local and international airlines operational in Nigeria, aviation ministries and agencies in Nigeria, aviation analysts and travel, aviation and tourism journalists.
The Hospitality Day featured workshops and presentations by notable individuals in the industry, and topics like Innovation & Payment for the Modern Hotel, Online Booking in Nigeria-How does it Work, Standardizing Hotels across West-Africa were looked into. And finally rounded up by Wine Tasting lecture, titled: How to know Your Wine, delivered by Chief Jerry Rowland of Westlog Nigeria Limited.
African Travel Market is the only international Travel Fair in West Africa, a population of 270 Million people with 15 Countries, numerous Airports and the largest number of Travellers in Africa. The event takes place in Lagos, Nigeria and is held at the end of October each year.
Over the years, Akwaaba Travel Market has grown to become the most important travel marketing platform in the region drawing attendance from over7,000 to 10,000 Visitors from 20 Countries.
This Travel Fair not only boasts a large amount of visitors but also excels in the promotion of the exhibitors from the region’s leading hotels, airlines, travel agents, tour operators and similar industry suppliers who participates in the event.
A vibrant must attend 3-day business to business event presenting a diverse range of destinations to Africa and international travel professionals, it is a unique opportunity for African travel trade market to meet, negotiate, network and conduct businesses with players from elsewhere.
AKWAABA, approved by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) as the official travel exhibition in Nigeria, is listed by UNWTO, a partner event of ATA and the only member of ITTFA in West Africa. Tour Operators Union of Ghana, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, African Business Travel Association and the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators have all endorsed Akwaaba African Travel Market.