Akwaaba brings the world to Lagos October 30

From Sunday, October 30 to Monday, November 1, 2016, travel and tourism exhibitors, experts, trade buyers and sellers from over 15 countries across the globe will meet at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, for the 12th edition of Akwaaba African Travel Market (AfTM).

The three days show is West Africa’s largest international travel fair and tourism exhibition, which has grown to become the most important Africa tourism marketing platform in the region, drawing participants of over 10,000 visitors from 20 countries.

This 12th edition will feature innovative B2B sessions side-by-side different paper presentations by a lineup of travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality experts to tackle issues facing travel business in Africa.

Among the features for this year’s training and empowerment include, the state of aviation and why airlines fail, MICE and Hotel standardisation, tourism planning in Africa and e-tourism, fashion and tourism and entertainment.

Also this year’s edition of the Africa Travel Awards organised by atqnews.com has recognised captains of industries, agencies and airlines for their outstanding mark at stepping up tourism game in Africa.

Among them is a recipient of posthumous award by the former head of Marketing for Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, late Belinda Muthinhiri who died last month, was chosen as the Africa Tourism personality of the year by voters from all over Africa. She was credited as one of the early promoters of Intra Africa Tourism.

The awards which was exclusively done by Africans for Africa, also honoured 21 other winners including the Zimbabwe Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Walter Mzembi. Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates are winners for best Airlines in Africa and Cape Town as the most passenger friendly airport in Africa.

The CEO of Rwandair, Mr John Mirenge won the award for the African Aviation Personality of the year while his airline, Rwandair won the best Short Haul Airline award in Africa. Kenya and Rwanda won four awards each while Ethiopia and South Africa won five and six awards respectively. The only winner from West Africa is Radisson Blu in Dakar, Senegal that was chosen as the best business hotel in Africa.

The fourth Edition of Africa Travel Awards organised by atqnews.com will hold on the first day of the three-day Akwaaba African Travel Market on October 30, 2016 at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. Winners were chosen in a two part survey which includes the public and a committee of experts. The committee members nominated candidates and the nominees were then voted for by the public via an online questionnaire.

According to the Organiser, 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 award that seeks to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in travel, tourism and hospitality in Africa.