Abuja Bantaba to showcase Naija 7 wonders, awards

 The Nigeria travel and tourism industry will once again gather at this year’s edition of Abuja Bantaba for networking, business exchanges and idea generation for the advancement of the industry.

Themed: ‘What does the Nigerian Traveller Want’, the one-day speed dating event in its third edition, will showcase the 7 natural wonders of Nigeria on July 5, 2013 at Abuja Sheraton. The seven wonders are derived from a-3year search by tourism, hospitality and tour experts.

It would be recalled that in January 2010, ATQ Magazine set up a committee to choose the 7wonders of Nigeria. After an exhaustive search and public voting the project team announced the 7 manmade wonders of the Nigeria the famous “naija7wonders” in 2012. “Following the popularity and the acceptance of naija7wonders by Nigerians, we see the need to release the other findings. It is only appropriate to release the results of the ‘7Natural Wonders of Nigeria’, Obudu Mountain Resort qualified as both manmade and Natural wonder but because of the Cable Car it was listed as the premier manmade wonder of Nigeria Ikechi Uko, the project director, noted.

The 7 Natural Wonders of Nigeria are: Ikogosi Warm and Cold Springs in Ekiti State, Ogbunike Cave in Anambra State, Mambilla Plateau (Gashaka Gumti Park) in Taraba State, Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State, Owu Falls in Kwara State, Confluence of River Niger and Benue at Lokoja, Kogi State, Farin Ruwa Falls in Nassarawa State.

Abuja Bantaba is an annual event for Workshop & Exhibition. Aside from hosting the 7wonders party the organisers say that they intend to show the key to owning the Nigerian Travel Market is to know the answer to the simple question: “What does the Nigerian Traveller want”? Bantaba is bringing experts to speak on the topic. They include :Uloma Egbuna, CEO, Tour Brokers International, Partner Gulliver Travels, South African Tourism Best African Tour Operator, Thobi Duma, country manager (Nigeria), South African Airways and Adefemi Adefope, chairman, HRG,GSA Delta Airlines. Chuka Agbu (SAN), leading tourism lawyer. Eniofiok Ekong, president, Hotel Owners Forum Abuja HOFA.

Abuja Bantaba, 2013 organised by Akwaaba Travel Market & ATQNEWS.COM, is aimed at bringing travel business to Abuja as most companies concentrate on Lagos alone, thus neglecting the travel potential in Abuja and the North. The expo’s major function is one of a relationship broker that targets, attracts and matches the need of buyers and suppliers. It will feature multimedia type exhibition, Travellers Awards and Workshop with certificates awarded to participants at the end of the event.

The one day speed dating event starts with speeches and workshop in the morning, presentations and lunch in the afternoon, hotel awards in the evening with dance and cocktails. The Expo which is done in partnership with the Federal Capital Territory Tourism Department, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC),National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA),Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA) and atqnews (media Partners),is organised by Akwaaba African Travel Market.

Special Guest at this year’s event includes Sadiq Abubakar Mohammed (Former Minister of Tourism, Nigeria), Segun Runsewe (Former Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation), Blessing Onu (Social Secretary for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja), Tony Enwereuzo (Pioneer chairman, House Committee on Tourism), K.G.B Oguakwa (Former House committee Chairman on Tourism), Angela Coley-Iheme (Gambian High Commissioner to Nigeria), Aminu Agoha (President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents NANTA) and Nkereuwen Onung (president, Nigerian Association of Tour Operators NATOP). Ben Nwankwo, chairman, House committee on Tourism.