In less than three weeks, the 2018 edition of the Akwaaba African Travel Market will open its doors to hundreds of guests from all over Africa and beyond in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria. The foremost travel and tourism event which is in its 14th year, will have major industry players from key source markets around the globe converge at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites Lagos for three days. The Akwaaba African Travel Market is not just a travel and tourism show, it's an experience. There are many reasons why you need to attend the event, below are 7 of them. 1) Meet and Network

The Akwaaba African Travel Market is a meeting point for stakeholders in the African travel and tourism industry. The event hosts hundreds of genuine investment-ready as well as ready-to-buy guests looking for opportunities to expand existing businesses or establish new ones. At the Akwaaba ATM, you'll meet and network with various travel and tourism professionals and companies including airlines, aviation schools, destination management companies, hotels and hospitality institutions. You'll also have a rare opportunity of meeting under one roof, over 250 reputable tour operators from across Africa, travel agencies and exhibitors. Visiting the various exhibition stands throughout the three-day event, will afford you valuable opportunities to engage in one-on-one business-to-business meetings with exhibitors and enlarge your travel and tourism potentials. So weather you want to make new business contacts, initiate a new business, close a deal or just meet old business associates, the 14th Akwaaba African Travel Market is the place to be. 2) Engage and Learn

A host of experts and professionals from across Africa and beyond will deliberate on topical issues affecting the travel and tourism industry in Africa. It will be a rewarding experience to listen to and engage the veterans, drawing from their wealth of knowledge. Local and international travel and tourism influencers will be at the event to help you learn more about how to achieve your goals through innovations and partnerships. There will also be opportunities to actively engage with seasoned experts and explore the latest information you need to reposition your travel and tourism related products and services to drive more sales and profitability. If you are a young travel and tourism professional, the 14th Akwaaba ATM will provide you a platform to receive empowerment, training as well as network with and exchange ideas with senior colleagues. 3) A 'little Christmas' in September

With a palpable feel of an international festival, the Akwaaba African Travel Market is a vibrant, culturally diverse, must-attend travel and tourism event. It's September, but Christmas will be coming a little early for guests who will be attending the travel show. The very best of Nigerian and indeed, African cultures and traditions will be on display throughout the event. Guests will be comprehensively entertained and thrilled by various dance troupes with electrifying performances. In addition to moments of comic relief, various renowned African artists will be on stage to bring a taste of African music to the audience. In between plenary meetings and panel sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to socialise in a fun and vibrant atmosphere with cultural effussions. I addition to the usual travel and tourism talks, the Akwaaba ATM provides a platform for Africans to relate and interact with one another, so it's a Christmas of some sort. 4) Met The Beauty Queens Yet?

Chill, you'll see them at the 14th Akwaaba African Travel Market. For the first time in the history of the event, the Akwaaba ATM will be hosting a contingent of Beauty Queens from across Africa. Come and be a witness as Tourism meets Beauty at the African Youth Tourism Conference on 11 September. The event will be graced by a total of nine Beauty Queens including Chisom Agu (Miss Tourism Nigeria), Queen Amaka Sylvester (Most Beautiful Igbo Girl Universe), Nancy Chidinma Nsofor (Miss Tourism Ogun State) and Queen Ebele Eze-Enemchukwu (Former Mrs Tourism United Nations). But there will be other kinds of Queens too! Over the years, the Akwaaba ATM has been know to provide a prelude to the popular Calabar Carnival. This year won't be different. Come and see the colourfully and flamboyantly dressed Calabar Queens perform on stage as the Calabar Carnival Commission unveils the theme of this year's Calabar Carnival. If you will not be in Calabar in December for the international carnival, the Akwaaba ATM is a good opportunity to take a peep.

5) He Might Pop the Question!

Last year during the 13th Akwaaba ATM, a guy proposed to his girlfriend and she said 'yes'. As if that wasn't enough excitement, the two lovebirds won an all-expense paid holiday in one of the top holiday destinations around. The 14th Akwaaba ATM might just be your turn to smile.

You have been dating your boo for many years and he has 'refused' to see your parents, bring him to the 14th Akwaaba ATM, and he might just pop the question. And to make good things better, you might even win an all-expense paid honeymoon package.

You have been afraid of proposing to your bae because you're not sure what her response will be. Don't worry, bring her to the 14th Akwaaba ATM and pop the question, her response will gladden your heart. What Akwaaba has joined together, no man will put asunder.

7) Take Lots of Selfies!

If you are the photo-freak type, please do come along with your smartphone as there will be lots of selfie times in between things. The Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, provides very beautiful and scenic backgrounds for memorable photos. Africa's renowned drone selfie master, Ikechi Uko, is the organizer of the Akwaaba ATM. How can there not be selfie time? 6)...and Lots of Prizes to be Won Is your name Lucky? Well, we shall soon find out. A wide range of exciting prizes will be won during the 2018 Akwaaba ATM courtesy of exhibitors and trade partners. The Gambia has already announced they will be raffling a week stay in Banjul for lucky winners at the Akwaaba ATM.

Whether you plan to win a business class ticket to Dubai or a luxury boat cruise in the Caribbean, or an all expense paid holiday in Seychelles, please come with your business card and don't forget to bring your luck! The 2018 Akwaaba ATM will hold from 9 to 11 September at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. To make sure you don’t miss out, register to attend by sending email to akwaabatravelmarket@yahoo.com or call +234 814 628 8455. Chidozie Uzoezie is a travel and tourism Blogger and a freelance writer. He's the CEO of The Afritraveller, Africa's trendy travel and tourism blog.