This year’s Akwaaba:  African Travel Market will be starting two days earlier than planned because the Lagos State Local Government election has been fixed for October 22, 2011.

This year’s Akwaaba will therefore be between October 19 and 21, 2011. The change of date is in anticipation of a possible restriction of movement and considering the large number of foreigners expected at this year’s event, the organiser moved the date two days earlier.

Before moving the date, the global calendar of events was taken into consideration as AfTM is the only internationally listed event in West Africa.
This comes as more countries and international firms register to participate. Zimbabwe, Chad and Namibia will be first timers at this year’s event along leading airlines and international hotel chains from all over Africa.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA) is partnering the organiser to make the event a success. NANTA is the biggest travel association in Nigeria, and as the umbrella body of travel agencies will be bringing its members to the event as both sellers and buyers, according to Tinuke Nwakohu, national publicity secretary, NANTA, “will participate in AKWAABA as the event provides a local opportunity for players in the Travel Trade to network and work together as travel markets are the lifeblood of travel business globally and cannot be different in Nigeria.”

Ikechi Uko, representing the organiser, said “having NANTA as a partner completes the circle as our event have partnership with global associations and having a credible national group like NANTA, we are excited to tap on their goodwill and expertise.”

Akwaaba, African Travel Market, is the only international expo in West Africa listed by UNWTO, a partner event of ATA in the region and the only member of ITTFA in West Africa. AfTM seeks to make travelling a pleasurably seamless experience in Africa.