By Renn Offor
Special Correspondent, Lagos
Global tourism searchlight was beamed on Nigeria as countries and international brands representing buyers and sellers of travel, aviation, and hospitality products converged on Lagos for Akwaaba African Travel Market (AfTM).
AfTM is one of the three major yearly travel and tourism events in Africa.
Delegates came from Africa, the United States – and Dubai, representing the Gulf for the first time, during the three-day exhibition and business deals.
Experts in the sector led trainings, workshops, and seminars to drive brainstorming for growth in tourism in Africa.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, former ambassador to Spain, noted that of all the wedding destinations mentioned, only five are in Africa, namely; Cape Town, Seychelles, Mauritius, Morocco, and The Gambia.
“On an average,” she asked, “what is the cost of planning a destination wedding to any of these destinations, and do we have foreigners who come to Africa to plan destination wedding?”
To host a destination wedding costs an average $200,000 (about N50 million) going outside Africa.
In 2014, Nigerians spend over N500 billion on trips outside Africa.
Bianca noted the enormous natural resources in Nigeria and Africa, saying “Nigeria can make a lot of income from tourism, especially now that the country is diversifying its economy.”
Waturi Wa Matu, a travel and tourism expert from Kenya, who received the African Legend of Travel Award, urged Africans to “stop running to Europe to look for tourists to develop Africa.
“The money we need to develop Africa is here. Let us explore Africa before we think of exploring the outside world.”
Matu bagged the award for her contribution to the achievement of a single visa to East African countries.
Kenya Tourism Board Marketing Director, Jacinta Nzioka, advised Africa to expand its tourism growth potentials and earnings.
She explained that there is a new investment in tourism in Africa, citing Kenya which has fought off the negative effects of terrorism which almost grounded that sector in the country.
She said: “Tourism business in Africa has shown resilience. Tourism has gone through a lot of global challenges, and not just in Africa alone. Recently we had the attacks in Paris.
“And for us, tourism in Kenya is looking at intra African tourism. We now have direct flights from different parts of Africa.
“The middle class in Africa is growing, and all over the world, different countries are interested in tapping into that growing benefit of the middle class.
“Besides these middle class Africans are looking for places to go. They have gone to Europe, America and various parts of the world. Now they want explore Africa.
“Why are we running around the world? The world left Africa when there was Ebola. Only Africans remained with Africa.
“In 2014, deliberately, Kenya defied Ebola and came to Akwaaba. So, right now Kenya is focusing its tourism efforts toward South Africa, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries.”
Dubai Tourism Regional Director (Africa International Operations), Stella Obinwa, disclosed that the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) has “lofty aspirations” to bring into African tourism.
“Dubai citizens enjoy having a good time, they enjoy relaxation, whatever. In the next few years Dubai Tourism will have a bigger take in African tourism,” she added.
“Dubai is one the cheapest and fastest countries to travel to in the world. When you apply for Dubai visa, you get it in 48 hours.
“The participants from Dubai in this year’s Akwaaba, when they return, they will sit and analyse what their experiences.
“Dubai has over 200 five-star hotels. Part of our continuing offer to Africans are the promotions we are running right now.
“We will be taking 200 Nigerians to Dubai in January 2016. We will sponsor their hotel, feeding all their expenses, airline fares, et cetera. And that is just the beginning.”
Akwaaba anchored its Aviation Day on the theme, “National Carrier, Open Skies and Connectivity in Africa”.
Speakers included Muhktar Usman (director general of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority) and Adefunke Adeyemi (IATA regional head for member (airlines) and external relations).
Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, charged the audience to shift attention towards Africa and to “explore Africa.”
His words: “A lot of people are here from different countries like Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Morocco, USA, and Europe and so many.
“You all have a great opportunity to come to Calabar, and even remain in the state. This is a state that doesn’t discriminate. Irrespective of your social status or class, Cross River State accepts all of you.”
Okoro Ahamrowlands, chairman and chief executive officer of Westlog Nigeria, the sole exhibitor and host of the wine tasting event of Akwaaba 2015, expressed appreciation for being part of “the biggest travel event in West Africa.”
He said the exhibition gave him the opportunity to meet several buyers and his company closed important business deals.
He disclosed that Westlog will exhibit at Accra Weizo in Ghana next year.
Awards and certificates were presented to outstanding countries and organisations.
The Best Overall Stand Award went to Dubai Tourism. Samsung won Best Stand while South Africa carted away Best Africa Stand.
