Ooni Of Ife Receives Africa Travel 100 Global Personalities Award
• Akwaaba African Travel Market Opens Today
AKWAABA, also known as Africa Travel Market (AFTM), opens today in Lagos. The tourism expo, which holds at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, ends on Tuesday, September 24.
It serves to bring travelers, airlines, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, travel agents, state tourism boards, foreign trade and other tourism sectors together for networking, promotional and business purposes.
Now in its 15th year, the AKWAABA events have been successful and have attracted exhibitors from over 25 countries and numerous attendees from around the Globe.
Some confirmed countries include, Ghana, Benin, Togo, The Gambia, Caribbean tourism organizations, AU CIDO, Nigeria, Botswana, Namibia, Tunisia, Uganda, South Africa, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone.
At the sidelines of Oduduwa Museum unveiling recently at the Brazilian Embassy in Lagos, the organisers of AFTM presented His Royal Majesty the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, with the First Africa Travel 100 Global Personalities award.
Ooni, who is the custodian of 15 famous festivals, one of which is Olojo Festival in October, is special guest of honour for the African Diaspora Tourism conference holding at the event tomorrow.
The award, now in its 18th year, has recognised over the years, leaders, industry practitioners and the government officials who have promoted tourism and improved travel using unique platforms and new information.
The conference is to mark the 400 years of slavery — a very sensitive topic that has created an uncomfortable relationship between Africa and its diaspora. The conference is an opportunity to celebrate the merging of Africans, Americans, Caribbean’s and the rest of the world during this gathering in Lagos. The event presents a platform to discuss, initiate, dialogue and celebrate a new relationship.
Africa, with 54 countries and a population of 1.2 billion, has an unbelievable tourist attraction. The Caribbean and African diaspora have a unique culture, rich heritage and beautiful destinations for tourists, hence the need to connect and combine these wonderful cultures and population, creating a huge global market.
The African diaspora and Africa have the same unique culture, rich heritage and beautiful destinations for tourism and trade, therefore, there is a need to connect and combine these wonderful cultures and population as a market for mutual benefit.