The 12th edition of Akwaaba African Travel Market has attracted 15 countries and 35 tourism experts who have arrived Lagos to be part of the 3-day travel and tourism exhibition which holds at Eko Hotel and Suites Victoria Island Lagos.

Among the countries for this year’s exhibition includes United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa, Bahrain, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Benin Republic, Namibia and Togo.

Among the speakers billed for this year’s event includes Richard Aliu Aisuebeogun, Dr. Harold Demuren, Femi Adefope, ChikeOgeah, Capt. Dapo Olumide, Capt. Samuel Thompson, Capt. Mike Omokore, Edwin Yomi Jones, Chris Aligbe, Dorcas Aketch, Hon. Anastancia Ndhlovu, Olanma Ojukwu, Dr. Walter Mzebi, Charity Githinji, Ngozi Ngoka, Nkereuwem Onung.

Other are: Denis Gathanju, Nancy Sam, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Abiola Lawal, Philip Aekesson, Kusha Dutta, Vinod Kaurani, Bob Bamgboye, Rotimi Agboola, Danny Kiouupouroglou, Simon Grindrod, Mike Pinder, Ayo Olowoporoku, Gabe Onah, Madu Chikwendu and Joan Okorodudu.

Day One of the event will be the grand opening with exhibition and in the evening Travellers Night with wine tasting and awards: African Travel Awards and Top 100 Travel Companies in West Africa. Day Two is Aviation Day which would be committed Aviation and Tourism on the African continent. Zimbabwe’s Tourism Minister, Dr. Walter Mzembi will deliver the anchor paper titled, ‘State of Tourism in Africa’, to underscore the relevance of this all important sector.

Tourism has become a very important aspect and source of revenue for many economies on the African continent, creating employments, adding up as an ever increasing part of GDP of countries and driving investment, infrastructure and growth.

The session will be moderated by Chief Olusegun Runsewe, the former Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC). The State of Tourism in Africa would be presided over by a team of panelist made up of travel professionals and tourism experts which includes Mrs. Olanma Ojukwu, Managing Director, GOTA International, Benin Republic; Charity Githinji of Tandaza Africa, Tanzania; Ngozi Ngoka, CEO, Zigona Travels; Nkereuwem Onung, President of NATOP and Nancy Sam, President, Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA).Day Three would focus on Hospitality.

For this year, SAHCOL, the leading Aviation handling company in West Africa will be partnering the Africa Travels Award 2016. SAHCOL is significantly present in all the commercially operated airports in Nigeria, where excellent and speedy services are offered in the following areas: Ramp handling, Passenger handling and Cargo handling.

According to Chike Ogeah the Vice Chairman of Skyway Aviation Handling Company Ltd (SAHCOL) associating with Africa Travel Award/Travellers night is an opportunity to identify with growth of Travel in Africa.

Moreover, Friends Fun Wine will also partner the Africa Travel Award/Travellers night. Fun Wine a canned blend of quality wines has five flavored drinks available and they are the Moscato Peach, Moscato Strawberry, Chardonnay Coffee Cappuccino, Cabernet Coffee Espresso and Sangria Red. Friends Fun Wine is packaged in 250ml cans and has just six per cent alcohol content.

British Airways will also be giving out prizes daily at 12th AKWAABA as part of its 80th Anniversary with a star prize of a business class ticket to London.

According to the Organizer, Ikechi Uko, the Objectives of Africa Travel Award is to Celebrate Africans and Travel products that have thrived and pioneered different areas of Travel and Reward Excellence in terms of Facility Management and Quality Service Delivery. It is an Awards that seeks to acknowledge and Celebrate Excellence in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality in Africa.

Instituted in 2008, the African Travel Awards is one of the high points of the AKWAABA drawing distinguished personalities from all over Africa. Winners are first screened by a panel of experts from across Africa and voting by the General Public on our Official Website.www.atqnews.com

Over the years some of the VIPs in attendance include Former President of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo and Former Secretary-General of Commonwealth, Sir Emeka Anyaoku, former Vice President of Nigeria Chief Alex Ekwueme, Executive Secretary of ATA, Eddie Bergman and a host of other VIPs.

Past Recipients of the Award includes former President of Gambia, Sir Dawda Jawara, Dr Danny Jordaan, the CEO of South Africa world Cup LOC, Capt Irene Mutungi, the first lady Airline Captain in Africa, Capt Desta Zeru the first African to captain a B787, Capt Chinyere Kalu, first female Pilot in Nigeria and a host of other pioneers in Africa.

The Africa Travel Awards marks the formal opening of the AKWAABA African Travel Marketon the 30th of October 2016 and includes Speeches and Presentations, Award Presentation, Cultural Dance Displays from various Dance Troupes across Africa, Music Performances and Dinner. This year event will have the ECOWAS Fashion show as the high point.

According to Mrs. Joan Okorodudu originator of ISIS Model, who has organized various leading international Fashion shows and event, this fashion show will feature top designers from West Africa and top Models in Africa doing what they do best in runway. Aimed at promoting Travel and Tourism through Fashion Theme; Where Fashion meets Tourism. Also, Ire one of the finest African contemporary folk Musicians will be performing at Africa Travel Award.

AKWAABA is an Annual tourism exhibition and the major travel market in West Africa, schedule to hold from 30th October to 1st November 2016 at Eko hotel and suites, Lagos. A vibrant must attend 3-day business to business Africa Tourism Expo presenting a diverse range of Africa and international Tourism professionals.

It’s a Unique opportunity to have key decision makers, Service providers and the travelling public under one roof to discuss key trends in the industry, challenges and a way forward. This year events will feature the first Africa Travel and Tourism Conference, which will attract Travel and Tourism professionals from Nigeria and across Africa, there will be Exhibitions, Aviation day, Hospitality day and Country day.

Countries exhibiting at AKWAABA this year, include; UAE, Bahrain, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Namibia and Ethiopia.

Tickets for the Travellers night dinner is available at WWW.africantravelmarkets.com and eventsrep website.