The respected and popular Seychelles former minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Alain St.Ange, Najib Balala, the minister of Tourism of Kenya and Edmund Bartlett, the Tourism minister of Jamaica and others were among the Africa Top 100 Tourism Personalities honoured by the African Travel and Tourism Industry at the just concluded Akwaaba African Travel Market In Lagos.

These top personalities were honoured for their exemplary work and contribution to the growth of the sector in Africa, in the Diaspora and in the World.

They were given the award after the First African Tourism Diaspora Conference 2019.

In his remarks at the award, the publisher of ATQ News, Mr Ikechi Uko said: “The award recognizes personalities of African origin, living in Africa or outside the continent, irrespective of their current citizenship or nationality who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and its Diaspora.”

Mr Uko stated further that: ” We organised Africa Travel 100 Women Award in 2017 and women in Tourism groups in Africa took off and in 2018 we organised the Africa Travel 100 Awards for Tour Operators and organised the first African Tour Operators Summit and this event of Africa Travel 100 global Personalities will finally bring together all the major players in Africa and the Diaspora.
This collaboration with Kitty Pope and her organisation will help energise collaborations across the seas.”

Speaking also, the executive director of Africa Diaspora Awards, Kitty Pope said “I am so excited to be a part of this project and 2019 marks the 400 years of the Trans-Atlantic slave Trade. This event finally reconnect Africa and it’s Diaspora in the right way through Travel and Tourism.”

In his response after receiving the prestigious Africa Travel 100 Global Personalities Award , St.Ange said the award was a tremendous honour for the work he has been doing for tourism as an industry.

“I thank wholeheartedly the African Tourism Diaspora for this wonderful recognition” said St.Ange as he collected his award.

Former minister St. Ange is the President of African Tourism Board Association and has been working to create avenues for continued growth of tourism.

The Africa Travel 100 Awards, now in its 18th year, has recognized over the years leaders, industry practitioners and government officials who have promoted tourism and improved travel using unique platforms and new information.

It is also set up to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves as foremost and outstanding drivers in the travel and tourism industry and through their efforts and that of their organizations have impacted positively to the travel and tourism sector, stimulating and helping to achieve the country’s tourism goals and forging interactions among stakeholders.

Akwaaba Travel Market has grown to become the most important African Tourism marketing platform in the West Africa drawing attendance from numerous visitors from over 20 Countries.

The Travel Fair not only boasts a large amount of visitors but also excels in the promotion of the Exhibitors from the region’s leading Hotels, Airlines, Travel Agents, Tour Operators and similar industry Suppliers that participates in the Event.