The new milestone recorded by the Akwaaba African Travel Market (AFTM) as the global platform for Africa's travel and tourism industry, was a good omen for the organisers to build upon.Activities of exhibitors at this year's edition and the increase in the number of participants from other African countries are another improvement which the seventh outing of the AFTM needs to build upon.The passion invested in the call to service by the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Chief Olusegun Runsewe, who wants to see tourism take its rightful place in economic recovery and stable development was palpable as usual, giving the supportive gear needed to encourage the private initiative.The corporation redefined its commitment in this year's Akwaaba AFTM through the unique concept of product promotion to boost tourism development, as it showcased the cultural attires, food and sports values and potentials of the ethnic and unity crux of the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.The NTDC, which came with a large entourage of staff from its Abuja and Lagos offices held visitors and exhibitors at the travel market spell-bound through its display of the reality and genuineness of Nigerias revered tourism potentials at the corporation's spacious stand that welcomed all and sundry to the exhibition hall.True to the initial promise of the Director-General of the corporation, Chief Runsewe, to unveil three signature products to boost the promotional frontier of the tourism is life campaign vis-a-vis giving the tourism industry a practical human face for profitability, the NTDC stand was a showcase of who Nigeria represented in totality.Meanwhile, the fashion design sector was another surprise package for visitors at the AFTM, where the African blend and style designs were showcased by two new entrants into this year's edition, who brought beautifully homemade and sturdy styled wooden, linen, batik, adire (tie and dye) attires for exhibition.The exhibitors of the locally made traditional and western blend shirts, trousers, garment, skirts and blouse among others were shocked at what they saw.According to one of the exhibitors, 'Since this was our first outing at the AFTM, we only bargained to come and showcase our products, but what we saw throughout the event was tremendous. The visitors did not only visit the FADAN stand, but also bought almost all the designed shirts and beautifully styled dresses and garments on display.'Also, while every stand was busy entertaining visitors and trade buyers with all manner of hospitality reception to keep them abreast of their products and services, others fixed a special two-hour presentation to mark their countries' day at the AFTM, among those countries that made good of their time was Ghana, The Gambia and the host country, Nigeria.They did not only highlight the tourism innovations their country were able to meet in recent time, as a preferred destination but also why Africans and Africa must take their rightful place in the scheme of things as the new tourism continent of the world inferred from research and generalisation of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).The Smiling Coast of Africa, the Gambia, which came to the event with a strong team led by The Gambia Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Angela Colley, were all well at home, according to the envoy who described The Gambia and Nigeria relationship as intertwined in all field of endeavours, in the areas of cultural and diplomatic ties.In a space of minutes, the guests at The Gambia Day were gastronomically taken to the Gambia, as they were all served a local delicacy of the Gambians, with a locally brewed drink, (that replicate the Nigerian local brand called zobo).On Friday, which was the Nigeria's Day, was superb as the Director-General, NTDC, Chief Runsewe in his practical manner, recharged the big brother commitment at being at the forefront of championing a unity concept and promotional platform at positioning Nigeria ditto Africa as the next money spinning destination in terms of practical tourism.However, the day was a reflection of the people's interest in culinary, fitness and value as Chief Runsewe unveiled the new tourism promotion tripod; food, sports and culture, which was brilliantly showcased at the exhibition hall, began with an overwhelming mini-carnival train, displayed different items representing the new tourism is life promotional brands.The event got to its highest point when special dishes from the 36 states of Nigeria were served to give both local and foreign exhibitors and visitors the culinary delight of the six geo-political zones of the country.As a sign of togetherness to achieve a common goal of redefining Africa's tourism focus as an entity with diverse potentials and one voice, the NTDC boss pronounced and launched an Africa's members Tourism Club, which was unanimously endorsed by some sisters' countries in attendance, who were also members of the African tourism Initiative forum constituted at the 2010 FITUR travel fair in Spain.The AMTC African Inaugural road show and campaign is scheduled for Ghana as the first port of call while The Gambia, Kenya, South Africa among others, take turn respectively.Akwaaba is Nigeria's official travel market-RunseweRedoubling his effort to give the private and public sector a boost, the NTDC boss reaffirmed his practical tourism commitment hence adopting the AFTM as the official travel market for Nigeria.'Chief Runsewe was not only geared by the commitment of the publisher of ATQ magazine and Chief Executive Officer of AFTM, Mr Ikechi Uko, but also for synergising with different strategic local and international organisations and his effort to sustain the event for seven years.Runsewe reassured potential tourism investors that is not only safe, but also ready to attract foreign investments in the sub-sector.The NTDC boss was speaking at the 2011th edition of Akwaaba, an annual exhibition fair which held at the Eko Hotel and Suits in Lagos and will go down as one of the best travel exhibitions in the history of Africa.Otunba Runsewe called on foreign investors to take advantage of the momentum NTDC is generating, observing that Nigerians are very rich in culture and have been able to key into the development of tourism affirming that there are at present over 150 festivals in the country creating jobs, uniting Nigerians, creating better relationships and business environment.He said, 'Akwaaba has been able to unite the travel trade industry within the sub region and we in Nigeria have started marketing our destinations and tourism products. I want to say there is a conscious re-awakening and the participation has increased, all we need to do is to build on what we've started.'The NTDC chief further suggested the establishment of an African Tourism Club to avail African nations the opportunity of exchanging visits thereby understanding and promoting African culture in its totality.He tasked all in attendance to continually celebrate the AFTM because the event is expanding each year describing this year's event as 'a huge success'Nigeria has taken the lead in promoting tourism in Africa-Kenya'It is more of an ambush for me. I never knew I will be saying anything, but I will say for three years counting at Akwaaba, I have been able to record steady growth of the event.'Nigeria is taking a lead in the promotion of tourism in Africa. From my observation, Nigerians are passionate and the patriotism seen from their faces, I charged everyone to emulate the Nigeria initiative and called that the biggest tourist patronage in Africa should be Africans.'Africans are the leaders in travels in Africa, so we should try by all standards to consistently concentrate on domestic tourism to develop and improve our people and economy.'Nigeria is the power house of South AfricaAccording to a South African and an international sales and marketing manager, 'South Africa has a long standing history with Nigeria in the area of diplomatic ties. At every point in time, we see it as a strong marketing platform for business success and patronage.'To be candid, Nigeria is the power house of South Africa and for the tourism initiative which brought Africans together, it is a forum I am very happy to be part of.' Akwaaba brought us close to the Africa's big brother-The GambiaThanking the NTDC and Akwaaba team for the opportunity to meet again with the Africa's big brother, Nigera, The Gambia Minister of Tourism, Mrs Angela Colley'Akwaaba is a great opportunity to meet and boost the profile of tourism in Nigeria. This is our own global platform where we can authoritatively show all the tourism might to the world.'In Europe, it is the European market, so in Africa, it should be for African market too. We have made our mark in Akwaaba and Nigeria as a big brother we know we are practically at home because there are many things Nigeria mean to the smiling coast of Africa.'Our judicial, health and education sector is manned by Nigerians, some of our names and cultural norms and values are identical, so this market is a good reach for us all.
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