International hotels, airline set for Akwaaba travel market
The organisers of the annual Akwaaba African Travel Market have promised that this year’s edition will be the largest gathering of World Class Hotels in West Africa as all major international hotel chains and brand hotels will be present.
In a release made available to Vanguard, Mr. Ikechi Uko said over the last five years Aftm has become the most important travel marketing platform in the region drawing attendance from more than 20 countries, including 12 foreign Airlines and leading African hotel chains.
He said the exhibition is open to all as it is “where Africa meets the world.” Akwaaba has been designated by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) as the official travel exhibition in Nigeria.
“Akwaaba is the only Face to face marketing platform for travel companies in the whole region. It is a known fact that Travel expos are the lifeblood of the Travel industries and provide the most powerful opportunity to do a lot of things including amongst others.”
Uko disclosed that all international airlines operating in Nigeria except a few have all signed to participate in the big event including first timers like Lufthansa German Airlines and Afriqqyah Libyan Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines will be celebrating its 5oth anniversary at the fair.
The government of Ghana is coming down with a full complement of Tour operators and cultural troupes just as The Gambia repeats it huge campaigns started last year. Sokoto state the seat of the caliphate will be showcasing for the first time this year.
The success of AfTM attracted the presence of the former President of the Gambia Sir Dawda Jawara, the former Secretary General of the British Commonwealth Sir Emeka Anyaoku and the former Vice president of Nigeria, Sir Alex Ekwueme as guests among more than 10,000 visitors that attended the event last year.
It has become a major fixture in the events calendar for Africa, listed by UNWTO as the only travel event in West Africa. Africa Travel Association (ATA), based in New York, has also signed Akwaaba as its partner event in Africa.
