AFRICAN TRAVEL MARKET

African Travel Market is an Africa Tourism Exhibition and the major international Travel Fair in West Africa, a population of 270 Million people with 15 Countries, numerous Airports and the largest number of Travellers in Africa. The event takes place in Lagos, Nigeria and held at the end of October each year.

Over the years, Akwaaba Travel Market has grown to become the most important Africa Tourism marketing platform in the region drawing attendance from over7,000 to 10,000 Visitors from 20 Countries.

This 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.

A vibrant must attend 3-day business to business Africa Tourism Expo presenting a diverse range of destination to Africa and International Tourism Professionals. It is a unique opportunity for the whole African travel trade market to meet, negotiate, network and conduct business with players from elsewhere.

By attending the Africa Tourism Fair, participants efficiently, effectively and productively gain immediate competitive advantage for their business and stay abreast with the latest development in the travel industry. The event features alongside Wedding & Spa Day, Hospitality Day, African Travel Awards, Wine Tasting and various Country day Celebration. It is open to all as it is “where Africa meets the world”.

Purpose: To provide a platform that brings together both global buyers and sellers in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Business in Africa and creates the opportunity for face to face marketing with instant feedback and high conversion rate.

Objectives Include

• Capacity Building
• Maximise Brand Reach
• Assess Competition
• Drive Profits/ Launch new Products, Services and Destinations
• Drive product sales.
• Network, build new business relationships as well as strengthen established ones all in a relaxed and all enveloping travel environment.

Audience

• Travel Professionals / Businesses
• Tourism Enthusiasts
• Traveling Public
• Government & Tourism Boards

Who attends?
Below is a breakdown of the following groups

• Travel Buyers & Sellers in Nigeria – This Group consists of 62% of our Audience. It is Sub-divided into 8 Groups

• Corporates – This group is made up mainly of;Big Multi-National Companies- They consists of Travel Managers, Procurement Officers and Airport Protocol Officers who are looking to get Bigger Discounts and Direct Deals from Hotels and Airlines as well as check out Exotic Destinations.

Banks, Insurance Companies-They consist of both Senior and Junior Executives who attend to Network and interact with Travel Professionals.

(b) Hotels – Mostly (Exhibitors), this group is comprised mainly of Big International and Regional Brands with Franchise within the Country. They attend to promote their Brand Image by engaging one on one with Travel Buyers, meet new Suppliers as well as assess their Competition.

(c) Travel Agents – Mostly (Visitors),these consists of Travel Agents within Nigeria but mostly in Lagos and neighbouring States and are the largest Travel Buyers in this group. They attend to meet/network with other Travel Professional, Key Players/ Sellers and attend our Education Sessions to stay abreast with the latest trend in the Industry.

(d) Tour Operators – Mostly (Visitors), consists of Tour Operators in Nigeria. They attend to meet/network with other Travel Professional, Key Players/ Sellers and attend our Education Sessions to stay abreast with the latest trend in the Industry.

(e) Airlines – Mostly (Exhibitors) consists of both International and Local Airlines operational within Nigeria. They attend to promote their Brand Image by engaging one on one with Travel Buyers, assess their Competition and launch new Destinations.

(f) State Tourism Boards & Aviation/ Tourism Parastatals (Mostly Exhibitors) – This group consists mainly of Senior Government Officials from the Ministries of Tourism and Culture as well as Aviation and Tourism Parastatals in Nigeria. They attend to promote and inform the General Public about their Organization/ Destinations as well gain knowledge about the latest Trends.

(g) Schools – (Mostly Visitors) this group consists of Pupils / Students from top rated Ivy League Schools both Primary & Secondary within Lagos as well as Students from Tertiary Institutions and Specialized Aviation and Hospitality Schools within the Country. For the younger Kids, they attend as part of their Field Trips to learn more about Travels, different Cultures and exciting Destinations have Fun and get Loads of Free Gifts. While for the older Kids, they attend to learn first-hand from Industry Professionals at our Education Sessions as well as interact with them.

(h) General Travelling Public – This group includes everyone else that attends and does not fall in any of the other groups. This includes People who travel often on Business (e.g. Traders or Business Men), People who travel occasionally for Holidays or simply looking for travel opportunities. They attend to learn of the exciting deals offered by the Airlines and Hotels as well exciting new Destinations they can visit.
2. Travel Sellers and Buyers from Africa and the World (Mostly Exhibitors)–This group make up the remaining 38% of our Audience. They include Hotels (Top International & Regional Hotel Chains), Tourism Boards, Tour Operators, Hotel Suppliers, Private Real Estate Owners and Entrepreneurs etc. Countries that have been represented include Ghana, Benin, Kenya, Seychelles, Gambia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Rwanda, Namibia, Jordan.

They attend because;

(a) They are aware of the huge Travel Business in Nigeria & West-Africa and seek a medium to meet one on one with Travel Buyers.
(b) Network with stakeholders and Travel Professionals within this Region.
(c) Create awareness and build Brand Image within the Region.
(d) Increase or Build their Business Opportunities from and in Nigeria.
(e) Showcase their Products and Services; Launch new Products and Services/ Destinations to this Audience within the Region thereby increasing Sales.

Our Past Partners

AKWAABA has been designated by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) as the official travel exhibition in Nigeria, listed by UNWTO, a partner event of ATA and the only member of ITTFA in West Africa.
Others are: Tour Operators Union of Ghana, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, African Business Travel Association and the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators

To Exhibit
According to ITTFA (International Tourism Trade Fairs Association) research shows that more than 80% of visitors to travel and tourism trade fairs are decision-makers, who rate exhibitions as the most cost effective information source for new products, destinations and services.

Over the years, Akwaaba has continued to grow and has become the Meeting place for Travel and Related Businesses to build their brand, generate new leads and increase their business network within the region.

LIST OF SOME PAST EXHIBITORS