The 12th Akwaaba Africa Travel Market, AfTM will be hosting the maiden edition of Africa Travel and Tourism Conference with the objective of transferring knowledge covering travel, hospitality and aviation sectors from globally rated experts during the annual travel and tourism exhibition which holds annually in Lagos.
The organizers of the event believes this new development will be a very important part of the event which they intend to enrich the experiences of both delegates, visitors and stakeholders on most current information that obtains in the practice and operations within the related sectors of the travel and tourism landscape.
‎The organiser, Mrs. Rita Ikechi-Uko explained that she is ‘delighted about the prospects of this new dimension we are adding to the travel exhibition this year. 

“We are passionate about catalyzing change in the tourism and travel landscape in Africa. This new aspect will definitely be an eye opener for many of the delegates and guest and will position Africa on the path of global relevance on most current information on that sector”,  she said.
According to her, “speakers during the Travel and Tourism Conference will be addressing topics and dealing with issues such as Travel in Africa: Aviation and Immigration a needed Symbiosis, Immigration as a Catalyst for Growth of Travel and Tourism in Africa, the State of Aviation in frica’, the State of Tourism in Africa, The Internet and Future of Travel in Africa, Tourism Planning: a needed tool for Sustainable Tourism Development, Hotel Standardization and Classification as a tool for Tourism Growth, Meeting, incentives, conventions and events in Africa’ among other topics”.

The 12th Akwaaba, Africa Travel & Tourism Conference will hold on the 2nd day of Akwaaba, being October 31st and will be open only to registered travel and tourism practitioner. 
Mrs Uko stated that this is an opportunity for all knowledge seekers in area of Tourism, Travel, Aviation, and Hospitality Sector to satisfy their need. 
She explained that travel and tourism professionals can register at the website, www.africantravelmarkets.com ‎or emailakwaabatravelmarket@yahoo.com, either as a hosted buyer or delegate.

Delegates are expected from aviation and tourism ministries, commissions and departments, State tourism boards, staff from hospitality firms and agencies and the general public seeking to know more about travels and tourism, and for various trainings and exposures, as the organisers would issue certificates to attendees at the end of the event.

Akwaaba Africa Travel Market will be taking place from the 30th Oct. to the 1st of November 2016 at the Eko Hotels & Suites Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Mrs Uko concluded that “Akwaaba is emerging as, not only an exhibition but also, a learning and empowerment opportunity. Global experts, like Dr Auliana Poon of Tourism Intelligence International, one of the Biggest names in travel and rourism research in the World, Eran Ketter an Israeli Communication and media expert, and a guru on destination branding, Paul Cohen, and Bob Bamgboyi, a  hotel digital exponent have in the past been lead Speakers at Akwaaba”.

Last year, the 11th edition of Akwaaba featured rated experts like Seyi Olusanya of Once Upon a Destination, who delivered a paper on Planning a Destination Wedding, Adefunke Adeyemi of IATA Regional Head, Member and External Relations Africa and the Middle East, who lectured on Transforming Intra-Africa Air Connectivity and Captain Ado Sanusi, Deputy Managing  Director, Arik Air, also delivered a lecture at the Aviation Day that attracted travel agents and tour operators in Nigeria and the West- African Coast, local and international airlines operational in Nigeria, aviation ministries and agencies in Nigeria, aviation analysts and travel, aviation and tourism journalists.