This year’s AKWAABA, African Travel Market will be starting two days earlier than planned because the Lagos State Local Government elections have now been fixed for the 22nd October, 2011. The event will now start on the 19th October 2011 and finish on the 21st October. The change of date is in anticipation of a possible restriction in movement and taking into account the large number of foreigners expected at this year’s event, the organisers felt it was practical for all involved to move to the date two days earlier.
This comes as more countries and international firms register to participate. Zimbabwe, Chad and Namibia will be first timers at this year’s event along with the re-entry of representatives from USA. Leading Airlines and international hotel chains from all over Africa will be attending the only international fair in West Africa. Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA) is partnering with the organizers of Akwaaba to make the event a success. NANTA is the biggest travel association in Nigeria and the umbrella body of travel agencies will be bringing its members to the event as both sellers and buyers according to the National publicity secretary of NANTA Mrs. Tinuke Nwakohu, ‘NANTA will participate in AKWAABA as the event provides a local opportunity for players in the Travel Trade to network and work together as Travel markets are the lifeblood of travel business globally and cannot be different in Nigeria’. Mr. Ikechi Uko representing the show organisers said “our event has partnership with global associations and now having a credible national group like NANTA completes the circle for us. We are excited to tap into their goodwill and expertise”.
Akwaaba; African Travel Market is the only international expo in West Africa listed by UNWTO, a partner event of ATA in the region and the only member of ITTFA in West Africa. AfTM seeks to make travelling a pleasurably seamless experience in Africa.
