Can Lagos Become a Global Travel Destination?

Lagos is one of the Top 4 visited in Africa but its potential ranks it as high as the best destination in the world. According to the organisers of the 18th Akwaaba African Travel Market, Lagos has a similar identity as the most visited city of Bangkok in Thailand and should be attracting millions of visitors annually.

To discuss this on Day 2 of Akwaaba on the 1st of November will include experts drawn from different sectors of travel and tourism. The Nigerian Aviation Authorities FAAN will be presenting the role of the new international airport terminal in growing tourists arrivals to Lagos. The CEO of Wakanow, the biggest travel company in West Africa Mr. Bayo Adedeji will be joined by the leading entertainment personality in Nigeria Edi Lawani and the expert Photographer, Dayo Adedayo to discuss the capacity of Lagos to scale its attraction.

The General Manager of the biggest hotel in Lagos, Eko Hotels and Suites Mr. Danny Kioupouroglou will represent the hospitality sector on the panel. The session will be moderated by Ambassador Ikechi Uko and will be chaired by the Lagos State Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharmacist Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf. 

The Lagos State Health Commissioner, Prof. Akin Abayomi will headline the Medical Tourism Session. The Medical Park Group from Turkey will showcase its services at the session. The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) will represent Lagos State Health offerings.  The Emergency Response Africa will be offering CPR training and certification for guests.

The Youth Tourism Panel will hold same day and the hottest young tourism talents in Nigeria will discuss the Topic "Tourism, Passion or Business?" Super guide Anago Osho, travel teacher Oludayo Gideon, Bolaji Seun, Cordis Umeokoli, Mariam Iyiola, Funke Ogunkoya, Daniel Bello, Kingsley Nwachukwu and Aminat Akanbi leads the team. The moderator will be South African travel operator Ntokozo Gumbi.

This is as the organisers in partnership with Turquaz Health announced the travel partnership with Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier airline of Turkey for the 18th AKWAABA African Travel Market. Mr. Akın Carkcı, Turkish Airline’s Abuja Director said, “We are excited to be a part of this great event and we look forward to welcoming Turkish medical tourism businesses. This is poised to be the start of a new relationship in the continuous drive of Turkish Airlines to be the premier airline in the lucrative African routes.”

Turquaz Health is a health organisation in Turkey, which provides the best medical solution to medical needs with the best quality facilities, cutting edge technology equipment, globally accepted medical doctors and internationally recognized credentials. Turquaz Health founded by Idil Saguner and Sureyya Umran Alinak are experienced at matching hospitals to the needs of the patients. They will be using their network and connections to bring the best groups to Africa.

Akwaaba African Travel Market is an annual international travel, tourism and hospitality event which has become one of the top 5 travel events in Africa and the leading tourism marketing platform in West Africa. Over the years, it has attracted exhibitors from over 20 countries. Major highlights of the 2022 travel expo will be the 2nd Edition of the Africa Travel 100 Women Awards, the Youth in Tourism Conference, and the Medical Tourism session. 

Meanwhile, the Royal Tour, Tanzania’s official tourism campaign of the East African country, is set to take its message to the 18th Akwaaba African Travel Market 2022, to woo Nigerian and African travel and tourism organisations. The Royal Tour tourism campaign was launched during a trip that the Tanzania President Samia Suluhu took to the US. The documentary was launched to publicise the country’s tourism and investment opportunities.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been at the forefront of expanding the tourism market of the country, wooing international tourists and showcasing its rich tourism asset in recent times. For an entire week, the President became the ultimate guide, relating stories of the often hidden gems of Tanzania, along with its rich history, culture, environment, food and music. The documentary highlights Kilimanjaro National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti and Mkomazi nature reserves, Manyara and Arusha — the gems of the northern tourist circuit, Indian Ocean beaches, and the cultural and historical heritage found in Bagamoyo and Zanzibar.

The Royal Tour will be showcased on the 31st of October, at the 18th Akwaaba African Travel Market 2022 at the Eko Hotels and Convention Centre, Lagos. This is as the Minister of Tourism of Sierra Leone Dr. Memunatu Pratt is expected to be at the event as a special guest for this year’s edition. Dr. Pratt will be winning an award as the Best Tourism Minister in West Africa. Since she became the Minister, her profile had risen and her effort to promote Sierra Leone had earned her global recognition with her appointment into the UNWTO Committee.

Also, His Royal Highness Oba Adeyemi Obalenlege will be at the 18th Akwaaba African Travel Market as the Royal Guest of Honour. A tourism enthusiast, Oba Obalenlege had earlier practiced as a tourism journalist with Thisday Newspaper before going for his PhD in United Kingdom. 

The Organisers of Akwaaba have announced a partnership with leading travel company in West Africa Wakanow, for this year’s edition holding at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotels & Suites from 31st October to the 1st of November, 2022. Mr. Ikechi Uko, the organizer of the Akwaaba Travel Fair, has lauded the partnership noting that Wakanow is a great African brand and one of the biggest travel companies in Africa. He remarked, “We are happy to associate with such a powerful organization to grow tourism and Travel in Africa. The partnership with Wakanow for this year’s event is special because this year marks the return of the Africa Travel 100 Women’s award at Akwaaba African Travel Market. We will be joined by women of high influence from over 25 countries in Africa for the awards. Wakanow and Akwaaba are winning brands of Africa."

Also commenting on the strategic partnership, Mr. Bayo Adedeji, MD/CEO, of Wakanow, noted that Akwaaba resonates with the Wakanow brand. ‘Wakanow is all about defining the future in the travel industry, opening new doors, and fostering creating ease of travel, and we are proud to be a part of an event that celebrates what we represent as a brand’.