Hon. Aminu Tambuwal to chair Africa Travel Awards at Akwaaba

The Executive Governor of Sokoto state in Nigeria and the former Speaker of the Nigerian National Assembly HonorableAminu Tambuwal will be the Chairman at the African Travel Awards and Dinner. The African Travel awards is one of the high points of the 3day Travel event and comes up on the 1st day, 22nd Nov from 7pm. He would be accompanied by the Hon. Commissioner of Commerce, Industries and Tourism, Sokoto State- Alh. Aminu Bello.

As repeat Exhibitors at Akwaaba, Sokoto state would be showcasing her rich Tourism Products to both international and local audience which is what Akwaaba as a platform offers.

Some of the Awards to be presented at the event include Best Hotel in Africa, Airline of the Year-Africa, Best Resort in Africa, Africa most friendly City, and Best Airport in Africa, with WaturiWaMatu presented with the African Legend Award for her role in promoting Tourism in East-Africa.

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This comes as the enlarged committee of the Africa Travel Awards over t

he week completed their nominations of Airlines, Hotels and Destinations for this year’s award.  The Pan African committee made up of Tourism professionals from all over Africa usually nominates candidates for the award categories and the shortlist is now presented to the public for online voting.  After the public vote the committee members will now ratify the results before it is published

Africa Travel Awards is an African initiative to celebrate pioneers and exceptional providers of quality service in Africa. The uniqueness of the awards which is in its 5th year is that the committee is completely African in composition and the choices are about Africa.

Past Recipients of the Award includes former President of Gambia, Sir DawdaJawara, Dr Danny Jordaan, the CEO of South Africa world Cup LOC, Capt Irene Mutungi, the first lady Airline Captain in Africa, Capt Desta Zeru the first African to captain a B787, CaptChinyereKalu, first female Pilot in Nigeria and a host of other pioneers in Africa

Membership of the Award committee is drawn from over 15 African countries.  The new committee members are Siphelele Luthuli from South Africa, KhomotsoKelsall from South Africa, FifiRurungwa from Rwanda, OlanmaOjukwu from Benin Republic, WaturiWaMatu from Kenya, Nancy Sam from Ghana, Chiquita Johnson from Liberia.

They are joining other active members like Chief Chika Onyeani New York based Publisher of African Times,  Sheikh TejanNyang of Gambia, Ali Diouf of Senegal, Denis Gathanju of Kenya,  Monique Swart South Africa based promoter of ABTA,  Gordon Adoboe from Ghana, Samuel Doe from Ghana, Atlanta based Senegalese Promoter Ogo Sow, Janjay F. Campbell from liberia, Mrs. TinukeNwakohu from Nigeria,ConsigaKhiga of Kenya, AdefunkeAdeyemi – IATA representative for Middle-East &Africa,YunusSaliu from the Gambia,Yvette smith Cole from Sierra-leone, Patricia Ellis from Zambia,Samuel Doe from Ghana. Aly Diouf-Senegal.

Meanwhile the DG NCAA, Capt. Usman Mukhtar, MD, International Services of Ethiopian Airline along with the Head of IATA Middle East and Africa, will be headlining this year’s Aviation Day at the 11th Akwaaba. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in line with its, objective to bring increased connectivity to Africa has partnered with Akwaaba to organize the Aviation day.  The event will hold on the 23rd of Nov, the 2nd day of Akwaaba from10am.

The event aims to stimulate valuable discussions by renowned industry players to address the lingering issue of connectivity in Africa.  It will feature presentations of papers by notable individuals in the industry on issues concerning the sector. AdefunkeAdeyemi, IATA Regional Head for Member (Airline) and External Relations for Africa and the Middle East will be sharing a recent study by IATA on connectivity in Africa at the Aviation Day. The event is themed “National Carrier, Open Skies and Connectivity in Africa”.

Managing Director, International Services, Ethiopian Airlines, EsayasWoldemariam will also be making a presentation, while the Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Muhtar Usman will be the Chairman of the day. The moderator for the day will be Aviation Consultant Mr Chris Aligbe.Already the President, Nigeria Association of Tour Operators, NkereuwemOnung and the President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, AlhajiAminuAgoha have accepted to be among panel members at the event which is for Travel Trade Professionals.

Amb. Bianca Ojukwu will be cutting the tape to declare the Wedding & Spa Show open and formally opening the Akwaaba Travel Market. Bianca Ojukwu, the wife of the former Nigerian Leader Chief OdumeugwuOjukwu is also a former beauty queen who has since moved into Diplomacy, as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain & UNWTO.  Other VIP’s lined up to declare other Sessions open at the 3day Travel Trade Event .

The Wedding show is sponsored by Dubai Tourism in partnership with Emirates and will feature over 10 countries showcasing amazing Wedding & Honeymoon destinations, Weekend Getaways and Spa Sanctuaries.

Travelstart Nigeria which would be exhibiting at Akwaaba for the first time, hopes to extend its reach across Africa. According to the Head of Communications for Travelstart Nigeria, OluwakemiOjo said, “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to participate in this year’s AKWAABA African Travel Market Expo, to build on our existing affiliations, acquire competitive advantage for Travelstart and stay up-to-date with latest development in the travel industry.

Also, Samsung West-Africa a leading Technology company, in its bid to increase brand Visibility especially amongst Hoteliers and Resort Owners will be showcasing its Professional Displays, Hotel TV ranges, Smart Signage & IT products at Akwaaba 2015.

As sponsors of the Hospitality Day event, Samsung West-Africa will be sharing with Hotel & Resort Managers how they can improve their guest experience. According to Mr. Anu-RotimiAgboola (Head, Samsung Enterprise Business Solution -SMART Signage & SMART Hospitality Displays) “our participation at Akwaaba is more about brand visibility and we will be giving gifts to the Top 5 Hotel Winners of the Travellers top 100 Hotels in Lagos Polls. However, these Hotels must use Hotel TVs not consumer TVs. The advantage of Hotel TVs over Consumer TVs is that they give better guest experience by allowing guests personalize their experience”.

Other Guest Speakers are Mr. SanjoBamgboye- Director, Current Links Systems Ltd on “Facilitating Payment Innovation in Hospitality” and Mrs. Lilian Obinna-Igwe, Country Manager Travelstart Nigeria on “Online Booking in Africa and how it works”. There will also be a panellists made up of Top Hotel GMs across Africa to deliberate on the issues raised.

The Hospitality day at Akwaaba seeks to create a platform that would help provide knowledge about burning issues and raise Hotel standards in Africa. The Travellers top 100 Hotels in Lagos Polls winners will also be announced and receive their certificate at the event.

The Wine Tasting event follows immediately after from 4pm. Wine Tasting Event at the Hospitality Day presents an opportunity for Wine Producers from all parts of the World to Network and Market to over 50 Wine distributors from across Nigeria. It also offers wine distributors the opportunity to deal directly with wine producers eliminating the middle men. This event is open to all Hotel and Hospitality Professionals. Hospitality Day holds on the 24th Nov, 2015. Attendance is by registration. The paper ‘How to Know Your Wine’ will be anchored by Chief J.A Rowlands.

Akwaaba: African Travel Market will be taking place from the 22nd to the 24th of November 2015 at the Eko Hotels & Suites Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

AFTM is listed by United Nations World Organisation (UNWTO), a partner event of African Travel Association (ATA), partner with International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the only member of International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA) in West Africa.

Category: Tourism Tags: Africa Travel Awards, AKWAABA, DawdaJawara, Dr Danny Jordaan, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto