Organizers of the Akwaaba Travel Market have unveiled plans to honor the top 100 Hotels in Nigeria during the 17th edition of the event scheduled to hold on 29th and 30th of November 2021 at the Eko Hotel and Suites.
‘Naija7Wonders’ Ikechi Uko and organizer of the event disclosed that this year’s event is aimed at reconnecting delegates with the industry’s leading Players with a view to getting the Nigerian Tourism Industry back to its feet.
‘’There is a need to re-energize the market and bring the industry back to life. This is the reason we have chosen to recognize the big hotels in Nigeria hoping to connect them to the tour operators in other to create a needed synergy that will renew the leisure economy’’.
According to him, Hospitality and Tour Operators were the biggest victims of the Covid19 pandemic lockdowns across the world, more so as the Nigerian economy took a hit and went into a 2nd depression in 6 years.
‘’It will help delegates discover new destinations in Nigeria at the Naija7Wonders presentations.
The event will serve as a venue for the unveiling of the shortlist for the 7 Natural Wonders of Nigeria’’.
Mr. Ikechi disclosed that the search for the Seven Wonders of Nigeria was launched last year as part of efforts to draw attention to the tourism attractions in Nigeria. According to him, a committee was put together by the organizers of Naija7Wonders to handle the search.
‘’The committee is made of 150 Top tourism practitioners in Nigeria who are all members of the elite group of Tourism 100 Club. They have shortlisted 35 destinations for the public to choose from and the winners will be announced at Akwaaba this year’’.
It is expected that delegates at the event will meet new suppliers and solutions that will help the firms emerge more efficient and gain long-term competitive advantage. Delegates will also learn about trends and new market developments during presentations delivered by industry experts with Q&A sessions through the M.I.C.E training and Tourism Specialist Certificate Course.
‘’Because of the effect of the Covid19 pandemic, Akwaaba is dedicating this year’s event to hospitality and the leisure economy and their capacity to heal. There will be trainings on M.I.C.E and a Specialist Certificate course on Tourism in Nigeria as well as discussions and panels on hospitality and standardization in Nigeria. Delegates will Meet a wide range of champions from Nigeria and beyond – in person and in a safe environment’’.
Over the years, Akwaaba has become the meeting place for travel and tourism professionals in Africa. It has drawn attendance from over 20 nations. Many VIPs have graced the event in the past including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of The Gambia Late Dawda Jawara, the former Vice President of Nigeria Late Alex Ekwueme, the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations Sir Emeka Anyaoku, the former Governor of Lagos State Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, former Governor of Cross River State Senator Liyel Imoke and Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State. Serving ministers of tourism from Ghana, Gambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Seychelles have all attended past editions of Akwaaba. The current President of South African Football Dr. Danny Jordaan had made a presentation at Akwaaba.
Leading hotels, airlines and destinations including Dubai, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Egypt, Kenya, Gambia, Benin, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Libya, USA, Spain and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (UK) had all participated in the African Travel Market.
The 2-day event will draw experts from Africa and Nigeria to expose and dissect relevant topics at the event. The exhibition will run for 2 days at Eko Hotel Convention Centre from the 29th of November to the 30th.
Delegates are expected to utilize the close connections and partnerships with industry representatives and organizations from all over Nigeria to further extend their business network.
