Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Nigeria, and the CEO Dubai Tourism to lead delegation to 15th AKWAABA African Travel Market 2019. The leading Tourism Destination in Middle East and Africa, Dubai will be attending the 15th Akwaaba African Travel Market 2019, scheduled to hold from 22nd -24th September at the Eko Hotels and Suites Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria. Dubai has become the biggest Destination for Nigerian Travellers with over 20 flights a day terminating in Dubai from Lagos and Abuja. It is believed that over 300,000 Nigerians pass through Dubai every year. This year with more Partners and delegates, Dubai will be launching a dedicated breakfast to meet the entire travel trade tagged ‘A glimpse of Dubai’. About 22 companies and a high-powered delegation from the DTCM will engage Africa on Destination Dubai. Dubai will also be giving out lots of Prices and gifts to participants via Raffles. DTCM Delegation includes: Issam Kazim CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing; Stella Obinwa Director Africa, International Operations; Shae Brotherton -Senior Manager Integrated Experience Management; Tareq Binbrek Senior Associate, International Operations; Salim Ali Mohamed Dahman Senior Manager Campaigns, Campaign Management and Janelle Lewis Senior Manager, International Communications, PR and Communications. These Companies coming include: 1) Mida Travels 2) Pacific Destination Tourism L.L.C 3) Palazzo Versace Hotel L.L.C 4) Red Apple Middle East Tourism LLC 5) Royal Arabian Destination Management DMCC 6) The Ritz Carlton Dubai 7) Travel Destination Online DMCC 8) W Hotel Palm Jumeirah 9) Wings Tours Gulf (L.L.C) 10) Copthorne Hotel 11) Emaar Hospitality Group LLC 12) Avani Deira Dubai Hotel 13) American Hospital 14) VPS Group 15) Dubai Health Authority 16) Expo2020 17) Golden Sands (3) Hotel Apartments 18) Golden Treasure Tourism L.L.C 19) JA Resorts & Hotels L.L.C 20) Rayna Tourism L.L.C 21) Jumeirah Group 22) Orient Tours LLC This comes as Gambia Tourism Board seeks to renew their presence in Nigeria. The DG of the Gambia Tourism Board – Abdoulie Hydara has confirmed that Nigeria is a very important market for Gambian tourism and the reason for “our attendance at the Akwaaba trade fair every year." Nigerians are known as high spenders and with the close proximity to the Gambia we have an opportunity to penetrate fully in this market. Many meetings are lined up during our presence in Nigeria to showcase what the Gambia has to offer to Nigerians. Due to the importance we put in Nigeria, the Gambia tourism board will appoint a Destination Manager to represent the Gambia towards the promotion and marketing of destination Gambia in Nigeria. The Gambia has lots of investment opportunities to offer to potential investors in Nigeria and the need to sell this among others In Nigeria. The director of marketing of the Gambia Tourism Board – Adama Njie has confirmed the importance of the Nigerian market in terms of our all year round tourism strategy. With only four hours flights the Gambia is an ideal place for Nigerians. The facilities available in the Gambia is In line with what most Nigerian travellers wants in a country. This ranges from shopping, Honey Mooners, conferencing, Unbeatable gastronomy, good and standard hotels to name a few. We hope that more businesses will come to the Gambia after our visit in Nigeria and by extension Ghana. The Gambia values a lot in sub regional tourism and the reason for our attendance in Nigeria every year.