13th Akwaaba African Travel Market Opens on September 10
Mabel Benson
All is set for the 13th edition of Akwaaba Travel Market, the biggest travel and tourism fair in West Africa. The three-day event will be held at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, from 10th September to 12th September. And to spice this year's event, there is going to be a Chef Challenge; a culinary contest to confirm the country in West Africa that cooks the best jollof rice.
The event will be declared open by the Director General, National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe.
The jollof rice challenge has already created buzz and excitement amongst the competing countries. The chef challenge is organised with the sole aim of promoting culinary tourism in Africa. It will have chefs from Nigeria and Ghana competing for the best jollof rice and a group of Nigerian chefs will compete for the best prepared rice in varieties.
The 2nd Africa Travel and Tourism Conference will hold on the second day of 13th Akwaaba, speakers and panelists during the Travel and Tourism Conference will be addressing topics and dealing with issues such as ‘One year of accident free commercial aviation. What did Africa do right?’ African Airlines and profitability, the real issues, airport perspective, eegulations perspective, airlines’ perspective. The President /CEO, Sabre Network NMC, West Africa, Mr. Gbenga Olowo who is the guest speaker will be speaking on the topic: ‘2016: Commercial Aviation Accident Free Year. What Did Africa Do Right’, a topic that is germane to the African aviation sector. Olowo is an Economist and Business Administrator with uninterrupted cognate experience in Aviation sector.
While the Women in Tourism conference 2017, will have Deputy Minister of Tourism Zimbabwe, Anastacia Ndlovu as guest speaker with the theme: Women in Tourism; Challenges and the Future. This session will allow leading women in tourism to discuss on the various challenges facing women in tourism and move towards curbing these challenges for now and the future.
While the third day will feature Youth in Tourism Conference 2017 with the CEO of Tambollo, Sekimi Ifederu as guest speaker. This conference seeks to address the challenges Young people in travel business face in promoting Domestic Tourism in Nigeria and also bring the youth in tourism together, as it seeks to mainstream them into the organised travel and tourism business. Also the event will have a Wedding Destination session. The session will feature destination experts and moderated by seasoned destination wedding manager and CEO ‘Once Upon A Destination’, Mrs. Seyi Olusanya, to explore top targeted wedding destinations and honeymoon spots by couple across Africa. As the demand for tourism increases for various reasons, weddings, honeymoon and family get-a-ways cannot be ignored as a pull factor for tourism.
Adding more glamour and razzmatazz to the event is Carnival Calabar who will be on hand to thrill visitors. The 13th Akwaaba is set to offer those who have only seen the Carnival Calabar on TV the opportunity to have a firsthand glimpse of the biggest street party in Africa. The National Troupe of Ghana will also share the stage with Carnival Calabar with performances to keep visitors entertained. A vibrant must attend three-day business to business event presenting a diverse range of destinations to Africa and international travel professionals, it is a unique opportunity for African travel trade markets to meet, negotiate, network and conduct businesses with players from elsewhere.
Maison Fahrenheit Hotel, one of the uniquely designed hospitality facilities in Lagos in partnership with Akwaaba African Travel Market for the 13th edition will be hosting a cocktail event at an after party for Akwaaba African Travel Market delegates. The hotel located on the Island has 26 exceptionally decorated room and 4 suites with a varied mix of Svengali’s trademark, exquisite and sassy colour combinations. With an electric fusion of ultra-modern and vintage décor, the rooms are relatively spacious and airy with abundant natural light, ocean views mod cons and pristine designer bathrooms. Designed by international interior designers, Masion Fahrenheit Hotel has a lot of the items in its rooms that specifically depicts an exotic lifestyle of guests at the hotel. The Rue 80 Bar and Lounge of the hotel presents a breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean setting the backdrop for this avant-garde rooftop Lounge.