Building on successes of the Abuja Bantaba that broke the jinx of travel fairs at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), recently, the just concluded edition of the Akwaaba Africa Travel Market (AFTM), practically showcased the paraphernalia and trends of international travel and tourism platform, as it brought genuine hope and stability to the development of the African Market.The three-day event, which brought African tourism, travel, hospitality and allied business exhibitors, trade partners, sellers, buyers and visitors under one roof, did not only strengthen the socio-economic value that the forum created but also rebuilt a formidable tripod of selling Africa to the world through a unified purpose, described by participants as one platform, diverse products, and one voice.The AFTM represents a new age in the promotion of the African market and a platform for investors to see, meet and know the great opportunities which abound in different African countries and how secure, free and profitable it is for investment to thrive, which significantly demonstrates that the travel fair has come to stay.The mood and organisation at the Eko Hotel Expo Centre, where exhibitors, trade buyers and sellers painstakingly revealed newer areas of business interest, products and services, demonstrated the level of preparations and efforts which the organisers had put in place to give this year's event its present status as a meeting point for Africans.However, the patronage of Akwaaba Africa Travel Market 2011 increased greatly by 50 per cent with newcomers using the platform as an opportunity to make and reach new customers while loyal exhibitors were consolidating on the already cemented relationship and market patronage the previous edition accorded them.While some of the observers were showering encomiums on the sophistication the event added to its status as the only travel fair that unites Africans in Africa, others were clamouring for expansion of the exhibition hall to give room for prospective participants looking forward for subsequent Akwaaba.For the organisers, even when they got the signal that the patronagerefreshing and unique characteristics of the travel Market was that, from day one to the third day, at each appointed stand, exhibitors were on the beckon and call of trade buyers and visitors scheduling meetings, networking, sealing new deals and old ones renewed.The list of participants at the just concluded AFTM was endless with influx of foreign tourism public and private sector ;ministers, ambassadors, travel tourism and hotel experts and organisations, world brands hotel management and servicing outfits among other, added icing to the success of the event.At the home front, the host country, Nigeria was also at hand, with the warmth and hospitality reception of the good people, great nation rebranding slogan as the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), light up the mood of the idyllic event centre with a cultural spectacle, where the Eyo Masquerades treated visitors and exhibitors to a day of glamour as they display to the admiration of all and sundry.Also the drummers, who accompanied the Eyo, on their part were also down to earth with their drumming skills as they practically showcase the magic prowess of the Nigeria talking drums to others, using it, interjectionally to call names of some of the dignitaries and their cognomen, which attract applaud from foreign visitors and exhibitors.From inception the Akwaaba African Travel Market, had always been a rallying point for committed African leaders vis-a-vis public and private stakeholders in the Nigeria circle, which enabled previous events to record in attendance, the former president of the Gambia, Sir Dawda Jawara, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former secretary General, Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Ayaoku, Chairman, Local Organising Committee, FIFA World Cup 2010, Mr Danny Jordaan and a host of other foreign ministers, ambassadors and international tourism policy makers among others.This year's event was also exceptional, as it recorded attendance of prominent tourism stakeholders from over seven African countries who gladly commended the organisers of the AFTM for the initiative and sustainability, while they firmly promised to always make a date with subsequent edition.On the contrary, the new Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Mr Edem Duke, who at the inception of his tenure shouted to the highest heavens promising to turn around the tourism industry in Nigeria into sustainable and progressive one through public and private sector participation and strategic policy and product development to boost tourism development, was conspicuously absent at the AFTM, which most people at the event described as embarrassing and grossly dereliction of statutory duty.Even when his present would not have added any value to the event, at least, he should have, as the Minister of the host country of Akwaaba, a well acceptable regional market, attended the opening ceremony to reassure Nigerians of his commitment and determination of changing the face of tourism, which he (Edem Duke) displayed, while defending his ministerial nominee at the national assembly.But for the sensitivity and passion invested in the call to service by the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Chief Olusegun Runsewe, who wants to see tourism, took its rightful place in economic recovery and stable development was present as usual, to give all supportive gear needed to encourage the private initiative.Subsequently, the corporation redefined its commitment in this year's Akwaaba Africa Travel Market through the unique concept of product promotion to boost tourism development as it showcased the cultural attire, food and sport value and potential representing the ethnic and unity crux of the 36 state of Nigerian and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).The NTDC, which came with a large entourage of staffs from its Abuja and Lagos office held visitors and exhibitors at the travel market spell bond through its display of reality and genuineness of Nigeria revere tourism potentials at the corporation's spacious stand that welcome all and sundry to the exhibition hall.True to the initial promise of the Director-General of the corporation, Chief Olusegun 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 ins represented totality.Meanwhile fashion designers 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, Lynen, 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 shock at what they saw.According to one of the exhibitors, 'Since this was our first outing at the AFTM, we only bargain 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 hours 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 '''''', were all well at home, according to the envoy who described the Gambia and Nigeria relationship as intertwined in all field of endeavour, 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, to go also with a locally brewed drink, (that replicate the Nigeria local brand called zobo).On Friday, which was the Nigerian Day, was superb as the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Chief Olusegun 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 Nigerian Day was a reflection of the people's interest in culinary, fitness and value as chief Runsewe unveiled the new tourism promotion tripod; food, sport 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 high point when special dishes from the 36 state 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 potential 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 member 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.
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