The stage is set; the drums are rolled out as plans have reached advanced stage in preparation for the all African tourism event titled “Afro Tourism Expo”. Several interests and responses have since greeted this noble event ranging from local to international stakeholders, professional groups and destination managers from Nigeria, the Gambia, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Brazil, Turkey, and still counting. It is the maiden edition of this global travel, tourism and hospitality industries event scheduled for the 17th and 18th of September, 2014, in Nigeria, at the prestigious International Conference Centre, Abuja. The theme of this year’s exhibition is “creating the framework, and business environment, for investment in Africa’s Tourism industries”.
Africa Tourism Exhibition trademarked “Afro Tourism Expo” 2014 positions as the continent’s main conference and exhibition of travel, tourism, and hospitality and destination service providers. It will showcase leading and emerging travel, tourism and hospitality brand services, destination investment opportunities and host business networking meetings, as they all converge in Abuja, Nigeria. Afro Tourism Expo is a trademark event organized by Destination Marketing Extra Limited, a Nigerian destination management company also called DMX, in partnership with tourism firms in South Africa and United States of America. Already, the event is generating interest amongst practitioners and stakeholders across the continent. It would be recalled that the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has listed Afro Tourism Expo as one of the leading tourism events holding in Africa on their “Calendar of International Tourism Events”.
This event is a private sector initiative meant to facilitate Africa-oriented business and leisure tourism investment, destination management and travel services delivery. Participation at Afro Tourism Expo is basically in three categories: Visitors, corporate Delegates and brand or destination Exhibitors. The category of corporate delegates is particularly promising as participants that registered under that category will be involved with tourism knowledge-exchange, and share research and education to boost human capital development to participants at this unparalleled event. Interestingly, leading and emerging brands and destination will get ample facilities to showcase their services as exhibitors. Such exhibitors, whether countries, destinations or service providers are sure to immensely increase their brands’ share of voice and market shares as they emphasize their service features to over 1000 attendees from Nigeria and other African countries: from both the public and private sectors.
More African countries are rated among the fastest growing economies in the world today, at 6 percent per annum, according to the World Bank and other international financial and development institutions. The continent is currently witnessing a deluge of investment in the tourism, travel and hospitality industries, including airlines and hotel franchises, and the list is growing. It therefore presents a golden opportunity for local and foreign investors to embrace and tap into Africa’s promising and largely unharnessed Tourism sector.
The event also has the objective of providing Africa Tourism industries basic information, access to the continent leading hospitality brands and facilitating trade and investment partnership. Most African tourism economies and destinations are presently at their embryonic stage, no thanks to the high cost of entry, dearth of infrastructure and challenges of business start-ups. This has brought about thousands of itinerant travel services, particularly travel agencies and car rentals. Nigeria’s said to have the largest share of these groups.
Africa Tourism Exhibition will be first of its kind in the continent, offering incentives to participants such as 50% discount on all hotel bookings in Abuja including Sheraton Abuja. There will also be attractive rebates on international and domestic flights to Abuja using Arik AirandKenya Airways. Similarly, the organizers have perfected arrangements for well-chauffeured air-conditioned vehicles to convey the event attendees, round-the-clock, on airport transfers to designated hotels and the event venue. To make attendees feel at home in Nigeria, especially first-time visitors, some exciting pre and post event Abuja city tour packages are available for participants, free of charge. This service will be delivered by Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), under the able leadership of Mrs. Sally Mbanefo.
Further to, Afro Tourism Expo provides unbeatable platforms for participants to experience ‘Abuja’, as one of the fastest growing cities in Africa, with its beautiful scenery, wonderful road network and excellent communication systems – among other numerous facilities. This presents the best opportunity for both leisure and business tourists, as there will be a free tour round the city centre to interesting locations such as the three Arms zone, katampe hills, Central Business District, Ushafa Pottery Village and a host of others.
Destination Marketing Extra Limited (RC: 888273) an African travel advertising and marketing communications company, in conjunction with partners from South Africa, is organizing this Africa Tourism Exhibition at the Abuja International Conference Centre, from September 17 to 18, 2014. Registration to partake in Afro Tourism Expo is ONLY done online via www.afrotourismexpo.com for more information call +234 805 844 7017 or email info@afrotourismexpo.com