.. As Aviation, Tourism Ministers, Namibian Envoy, Air Peace boss , Uko, others set to grace occasion

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, NANTA, is set to unveil an Intra Africa Tourism Trade Exhibition at its Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

Speaking during a press briefing on the forthcoming AGM, the President of NANTA, Mrs Susan Akporiaye stated that the Africa Tourism Trade Exhibition is to give a remarkable vent to the futuristic dream for her members and to Nigerians.

Mrs Akporiaye noted that NANTA considered it an ambitious and legacy project that it can sustainably grow as a window to connect Africa and Nigeria with the world.

NANTA President noted that the association is planning to organise the Africa Tourism Trade Exhibition once in two years.

She said the exhibition which is tagged Africa for Africa is aimed at encouraging African countries to do business with with each other.

NANTA President said the AGM with the theme: “Unlocking Africa’s Economic Potential: Travel and Tourism as catalyst for intra Africa Business Investment and Trade”, will feature the High Commissioner of Namibia, Mr Humphrey Geiseb as the keynote speaker and special guest.

According to her, Mr. Geiseb will be speaking on “ Destination Africa: Exploring Technology and Innovation Driven Tourism, a Call to Action for Professionals in Travel and Tourism.

While Nigeria’ s Ministers of Aviation, and Tourism, Mr Festus Keyamo and Mrs Lola Ade John, will be NANTA special guests of the day, with their scheduled inspiring goodwill messages.

Akporiaye stated further that, Dr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, will be speaking on collaborative strategies for aviation stakeholders and professionals within SAATM Policy and Economic Framework, while
Mr Ikechi Uko, founder of Akwaaba Travel Market, will also speak on identifying business, trade, and investment prospects in emerging Africa travel and tourism markets .

NANTA President noted that the AGM slated for 23 – 27th of April will be a grand event which involve a tour of Badagry on the day one, presentations by guest speakers on day two, NANTA family meeting, election and gala night on day three.

Also expected at the AGM are the banks, Fintech companies, African tourism boards as seven African countries are expected to attend the AGM.

In the words of Akporiaye
: “Four years on this hot seat as NANTA President was like going back to school, a kind of university where you unlearn to learn. The Covid Pandemic was my most scary moment, with job losses and our members not sure of what else to do.

Today, we stand to be counted because we pulled our strength and knowledge together. We survived because we believed in quality leadership and encouraged it.

Though it is not uhuru yet, NANTA under my watch simply refused to live and survive by the books. We broke ceilings, trained our members, and opened doors of opportunities.

Though our business was continuously threatened all round, we saw through the crucibles of challenges and redefined the operational manual of survival. And to God be the glory, the membership of NANTA grew in leaps and bounds because we saw ahead of tomorrow’s competition and prepared for it.”

According to her: “We innovated Africa to Africa Tourism initiative, stormed Johannesburg University with the support of South Africa Tourism, and left a message. Twice, NANTA headlined Nigeria participation at the World Travel Market, London, a huge sacrifice to which our members thronged out in their numbers to identify.

Internally, we held strongly the baton handed to us by our founding fathers and are proud to hand it over in peace, not as swords; come our elective Annual General Meeting in the next two weeks.

I have successfully run this race, but in crossing the rubbicon, we have lined out some programmes that will shape the future of NANTA and also help the incoming leadership to find a path worthy to follow “.

She disclosed that she will also unveil her presidency Awards at the event.

NANTA President also disclosed that Lagos is also involved in the AGM as the state want to use the event to showcase its tourism potential to the visitors.

She said seven elective positions are up for grabs at the AGM .

On the legacies she is leaving behind after fours at helms of affairs of NANTA, Akporiaye explained that she succeeded in five major areas which called her five point agenda which include, unifying the association, sucess in the area of training and professionalism for the members, diversification by opening up multiple streams of income for the members, leaving a financially buoyant Association as she made more money for NANTA, and also thrived in the area of advocacy for the body.