African countries target Nigerian travellers at Akwaaba travel expo

Tourism officials from across Africa, converging at the 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market (AFTM) in Lagos, on Monday pitched their countries as top destinations for Nigerian travellers.

Supreme news reports that the three-day expo is organised by Akwaaba Travel Market Ltd., in partnership with Wakanow, Air Peace, Interswitch, Lagos State and Gambia.

The expo, which will hold from Sept. 14 to Sept. 18, is a gathering of travel stakeholders, including airlines, travel agents, tour operators, hospitality brands and tourism boards from various African countries.

The Head of Marketing at the Gambia Tourism Board, Foday Bah, said Gambia was leveraging the expo to promote mass tourism.

“For us, Nigeria is highlighted as a non-traditional market, which is performing more than some of our traditional markets.

“So, Nigeria being the key, we do a lot to promote and market the Gambia in Nigeria.

“This year, we hosted the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies’ AGM,” he said.

Bah urged other countries, apart from Nigeria to take advantage of Gambia’s facilities.

General Manager of the Sierra Leone National Tourism Board, Fatmata Carew, said AFTM was an opportunity to reposition the country within West Africa’s tourism map.

“We noticed that we have not done much in promoting Sierra Leone with West Africa,” she said.

According to her, it has been observed that Nigerians travel to countries including Ghana and Gambia.

“Sierra Leone is a place for a weekend for Nigerians,” she said.

Carew, who said the country was attending the expo for the first time, said her team had already started networking with Nigerian travel agencies for possible collaborations.

Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Wale Ojo-Lanre, said platforms like AFTM help to lure investors and tourists to the state.

Deputy Director of International Marketing at Ghana Tourism Authority, Selasi Tettevi, said Nigeria is the country’s second-largest sourced market.

She said the fair had not only impacted on arrivals but also an opportunity to market Ghana globally.

She highlighted Ghana’s heritage sites such as Elmina Castles, Cape Coast, vibrant festivals, canopy walkways and culinary attractions.

“Our continuous participation in this fair not only connects us to the Nigerians who are lovers of Ghanian culture, but also other international markets.

“Ghana is a place you come, you belong, you connect, and you leave with memories that last a lifetime,” she said.