Akwaaba: Still connecting travel sellers,buyers

Welcome Sir. Please register here”, a young lady beckoned. Charmed by her smiles, I went ahead to register. While thinking that was all and was about moving forward to the entrance of the exhibition hall, a young man approached me politely, tied a black ribbon on my right arm and sanitized by hands. “Thanks Sir for supporting the fight against the Ebola Virus”, he said afterwards and showed me the entrance door.

Well, it looked like a little drama, but it is part of the impact of the Ebola Virus that made some regular exhibitors to opt-out of this year’s edition of the Akwaaba: Africa Travel Market, the only travel fair in West Africa.

The ultramodern Expo Hall of Eko Hotel & Suites, the venue of the travel expo, was not filled to its capacity due to the fact that few countries and some exhibitors did not show up.

But the travel fair held successfully against all odds.  Those who have being following, and also present at the travel fair can attest to the fact that at its 10th and trying edition, Akwaaba Africa Travel Market lived up to expectations. The space in the hall was optimally utilized giving the exhibitors opportunity to engage the travel and tourism public and general visitors as well. If you were a first time visitor to the event, you will marvel at the crowd. Even regular visitors were surprised at the thronging crowd.

The exhibitors had field day for the three days the event lasted. From the hotels-The Edge in Port Harcourt, Eko Hotel & Suites, the host, Swiss Hotels, a new entrant, La Campagne Tropicana Resort, the Protea Group, to Africa Sun, the managers of Best Western among other hotels in Nigeria, the hoteliers has fruitful exchanges with the Nigerian travel public and would-be guests.

The airlines also laid baits for the visitors with promotional fares and packages only sold at their various stands. The likes of South African Airways, Arik Air, Ethiopian Airline, Kenya Airline, RwandAir, Virgin Atlantic among others engaged in strategic activations of their brands. Asky Air kept exposing how seamless traveling within West Africa can be on onboard the West Africa-based airline operated by Ethiopian Airline.

Also leading in marketing  of tourism potential on the continent, South African Tourism (SAT), had an elaborate show throughout the three days of the travel fair, while Rwanda Tourism Board followed. The Kenyans were on hand to sell the Magical Kenya, as well as, some destination marketing companies.

Industry associations such as Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), African Travel Association and the travel and aviation press were also present at this year’s Akwaaba.

But the travel fair was not just for the hotels and airlines. Samsung came with innovative products for the hospitality industry. Its latest TV was on display for hoteliers to savor. The wine companies also showcased the best wine menu through a Wine Tasting event that helped participants to socialize.

While South African Tourism and South Africa Airways used their very unique open stand to woo visitors, RwandAir and its tourism department featured Bez Idakula, Nigeria’s sensational soul music crooner, who used his melodious tunes to keep more visitors at the Rwandan stand.

Memorandums of understanding were also signed at the event. Foremost of them was a Joint Marketing Agreement between South African Tourism and the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) on how best to train the travel agents to sell Destination South Africa to Nigerians planning vacation and leisure visit to South Africa.

But one of the highlights of the travel fair that drew crowd was honouring of Captain Irene Koki Mutungi by Women in Aviation (Nigeria) International-Glowing Wings Chapter in partnership with Akwaaba.

According to Ifeyinwa  Megwa, president, Women in Aviation (Nigeria), , the association decided to honour  Capt. Mutungi because she has accomplished a feat no female has ever attained in Africa.

She noted that in honouring her, “we are not only recognising her for been exceptional, we hope this will encourage more females to consider aviation as a career and to reach extraordinary heights in the aviation industry.”

In her response, Mutungi, the first woman in the world to captain the world’s newest plane -the Boeing B787 Dreamliner, said she is setting up a foundation that will help to encourage young girls to come into the aviation industry.

In the tradition of Akwaaba Africa Travel Market, awards were given to deserving organisations and individuals who distinguished themselves.

South African Tourism emerged the Best Tourism Marketing Company in Africa, while Four Point by Sheraton won the Best Hotel in West Africa.

Other awards include; the Biggest Hotel Chain in African which went to Protea Hotel. La Campagne Tropicana, Ikegun emerged the Best Beach Resort in West Africa, Obudu Mountain Resort won the Best Resort in West Africa, Calabar Carnival won the Best Carnival while Adrian Landry won the Best Hotel Manager among others.

However, while declaring the fair open, Akon Eyakenyi, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, applauded the zeal of the organisers in putting together the show which also attracted some countries like Rwanda, South Africa and other exhibitors despite the Ebola fears.

She also enjoined Capt. Irene Koki Mutungi to help encourage young girls to venture into aviation.

Of course, the excitement that keeps beaming on the face of Ikechi Uko, CEO, Akwaaba Africa Travel Market, was a testimony of someone stooping to conquer. This year’s edition of the fair tested the perseverance of Uko and the wonderful Akwaaba team to the limit as late cancellations due to the Ebola Virus only suggested putting off the travel fair this year.

But Uko strived to make sure the fare was sustained. As a South African visitor at the fare said, “I know Ikechi. He has never given up on anything he believes in”.

But speaking earlier at the flag-off ceremony, Uko attributed the low turnout of exhibitors to the devastating blow of the Ebola Virus Disease on the travel and tourism industry in West Africa.

“Exhibitors from Ghana, Uganda, The Gambia and other West African countries had to withdraw on account of Ebola. At a time, we were contemplating on the best option either to cancel or postpone the event, but we have to go ahead with the event despite Ebola fear, thank God Nigeria is free from the disease today”, Uko said.

But he attributed the success of the 2014 edition of Akwaaba which held against all odds to the courage of every exhibitor and visitor at the fair, while promising a more robust 2015 edition.

OBINNA EMELIKE