Abuja Jabamah: Accra, Lagos, others win Tourism and MICE awards

The organisers of Abuja Jabamah and Akwaaba African Travel Market have unveiled the winners of the first Meetings, Incentive, Conferences and Events (MICE) Awards in West Africa.

According to the organiser of the event, Mr Ikechi Uko, MICE is a lowest hanging fruit for Nigeria and West Africa  to squarely reduce challenges confronted in attracting leisure tourists to the continent.

Uko said the choice of Abuja is because of its status as one of the highest ranked cities in Nigeria and he deemed it appropriate to host the event in Abuja.

“West Africa has not done well in MICE. According to the global association for meetings ICCA, only Accra, Ghana that made the list of top 10 in Africa. It is ranked number nine in Africa. Abidjan and Dakar are ranked 13 while Abuja is number 15 while Lagos and Lome are outside the top 20.

“It was on this premise that the organisers of Akwaaba are launching the first MICE event in Nigeria with a panel discussions themed ‘MICE as a concept in hospitality to be anchored by a lead speaker and Kenyan based in Tanzania, Charity Githinji.

Also to pep up the event there will be high level panel discussion on the Adaptation of Global Hotel standards to African environment with high ranking hotel experts and speakers, among who are Manisch Nambiar, General Manager of Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel Accra; Paul Kavanagh, General Manager, Golden Tulip Hotel Accra, Ghana; Christine Platijes, General Manager, De Edge Hotel Port Harcourt; Bennie Fritz, General Manager, Bon Hotel Abuja and Vincent Ugbor, General Manager, Rockview Hotel Abuja and the President of HOPSEA.

“Another paper presentation on ‘Tackling the Challenges of tour operations in West Africa will be anchored by Nancy Sam Quartey, President, Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) and Nkereuwem Onung, President of the National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP).

“To round off the discussion session, Mr Nnaemeka Agbasi, Chief Executive Officer of NAC Hotels with speak  on the Cost Control in Midlevel Hotels while the CEOs of Jumia, Tripberry and Flyboku will discussing on the  theme ‘Online Travel Agents and Hotels in West Africa.”

Uko also disclosed that the first MICE Awards ever in West Africa will be given to those that are championing the concept in the region.

“The nominees of the awards are Travellers Award 2017 with the Most Active Tourism States in Nigeria going to Lagos, Cross River, Ogun, Kaduna, Plateau, Kano, Kebbi, Osun states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“The MICE Platinum Awards will be honouring Abuja for Meetings, Calabar for Incentives while Lagos State clinches to Conferences and Events awards

For the Hotel of the year-West Africa for Incentive, Conference and Event, Royal Senchi Resort Akosombo, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra and Eko Hotel and Suites will be honoured respectively.

“Others include MICE Company of the year, TBI Nigeria; Conference City of the year-West Africa, Accra, Ghana and MICE Personality of the Year-West Africa, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State.”

Speaking on states’ involvement,  Uko said the Lagos State government has expressed its desire to deepen its relationship with organisers of Akwaaba African Travel Market for growth of tourism in the state.

Uko, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture Lagos, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, disclosed this to the Akwaaba team during a courtesy call at the commissioner’s office in Lagos.

Lagos State returned to Akwaaba this year after five years of absence where the government hosted all the visiting delegates to a city tour.

The Honourable commissioner celebrated the comeback as it has led to many positive results for both parties. She said the ministry is very proud to associate with Akwaaba and will work towards future projects.

The Ministry in a letter presented to Akwaaba team commended the organiser of Akwaaba Travel Market for sustaining the event for the past 13 years, saying that it is in line with the governors vision of project T.H.E.S.E which is to integrate Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment/Arts, Sports for Excellence, the state government identifies with Akwaaba as a sustainable event and will partner for future events.

“Lagos state will be fully represented at Abuja Jabamah “Hotel and MICE show, including Fam Trip to cover Abuja, Kaduna, Calabar and Lagos 15th -21st November 2017.