(Posted 06th December 2023)
(Chefs during the Jollof Rice War at Akwaaba African Travel Market 2023)
In a significant milestone, Akwaaba African Travel Market, the foremost travel and tourism fair in Nigeria and West Africa, is gearing up to celebrate two decades of shaping the landscape of travel and tourism on the continent. The organizers have announced the dates for the 2024 event, scheduled from 22nd to 24th of September in Lagos, Nigeria, promising an extraordinary three-day experience that will bring together over 50 countries.
As Akwaaba African Travel Market reaches the remarkable milestone of 20 years, the event stands as a testament to its enduring commitment to promoting the rich tapestry of travel and tourism in Africa. Over the years, Akwaaba has evolved into a pivotal platform that facilitates connections, fosters collaborations, and showcases the diverse offerings of the African travel industry. The upcoming 2024 event holds the promise of being a truly captivating experience, with the participation of more than 50 countries adding a global dimension to the celebration.
Attendees can expect a dynamic showcase of destinations, travel products, and tourism initiatives that reflect the richness and diversity of the African continent.
In addition to the grand anniversary celebration, Akwaaba will also host its 3rd Medical Tourism Fair concurrently with the main event. This unique feature underscores the fair’s commitment to addressing diverse aspects of the travel industry, bringing together top hospitals from Nigeria, Ghana, Turkey, Kenya, and other nations. The Medical Tourism Fair will serve as a platform for engagement between stakeholders in the medical industry and participants, fostering discussions and collaborations that contribute to the growth of medical tourism in the region.
The 2024 edition promises not only a grand celebration of past achievements but also a forward-looking exploration of future possibilities that will shape the trajectory of travel and tourism in Africa for years to come. Over the years, Akwaaba has played host to prominent African leaders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, former President of the Republic of The Gambia, Dauda Jawara, former Commonwealth Secretary, Sir Emeka Anyaoku, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Nigeria Minister of Tourism, Amb. Frank Nchita Ogbuewu, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, former deputy Tourism Minister of Zimbabwe, Ananstasia Ndhlovu, Tourism Minister of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mrs. Memunatu Pratt amongst many others.
Also, the former and present Governors of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu respectively, the Olota of Ota HRH, Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege have graced the event. The event has successfully organized various initiatives such as the Africa Travel 100 Awards, Medical Tourism editions, Africa Youth in Tourism Conference and Destination Wedding, earning recognition with an Award of Excellence in Tourism from the Nigerian Government and UNWTO at the Global Tourism Summit in 2022.
Akwaaba has also successfully organized the Africa Travel 100 Awards for women, Youth under 40, Tour Operators, two successful editions of Medical Tourism, Africa Youth in Tourism Conference, Destination Wedding. As Akwaaba African Travel Market looks ahead to its 20th anniversary celebration, the event’s legacy as a catalyst for positive change in the travel and tourism sector is poised to continue.
