Africa and it’s Diaspora has had a very strange relationship over the years. They need each other in a complementary way but have not yet worked out how to relate. Tourism could be the sure way to build a sustainable relationship.
To help give this a boost the organizers of Akwaaba African Travel Market on Nigeria have decided to collaborate with US-based Africa Diaspora Awards to organize a conference of Africa- Africa Diaspora Tourism Conference.
Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine and today a much sought after speaker at tourism conferences said as he took to the podium that Africa must decide to use all its assets and key USPs to reposition Africa. To great applause, right through his address St.Ange spoke from his heart to beg Africa to work with Africa so that Africa can be strong. Alain St.Ange is today regarded as one of the top tourism personalities in the world of tourism. These were the words used to describe him as he was called on to the stage by no other than Ikechi Uko himself.
The conference took place on the 23rd of September 2019 is part of the 15th Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos.
The Executive director of Africa Diaspora Awards Kitty Pope says “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 reconnects Africa and it’s Diaspora in the right way through Travel and Tourism.”
Mr Ikechi Uko, the Organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market in his response said, ”We organized Africa Travel 100 Women Award in 2017 and women in Tourism groups in Africa took off and in 2018 we organized the Africa Travel 100 Awards for Tour Operators and organized 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 organization will help energize Collaborations across the seas.”
AKWAABA Travel Market has grown to become the most important African Tourism marketing platform in West Africa drawing attendance from numerous visitors from over 20 Countries. This Travel Fair not only boasts a large number 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 participate in the Event.
African Diaspora Tourism is a public relations company with the website AfricanDiasporaTourism.com that is dedicated to promoting the cultural heritage of people of African descent living in the African Diaspora in order to promote tourism to sites, events and other phenomenon related to black cultural heritage and history.
African Diaspora Tourism is the parent company of the ADWT-Awards. As a public relations company, African Diaspora Tourism has presented various events, exhibits, tours, and conferences related to black cultural heritage. ADWT have also done roadshows and receptions for Africa and countries of the Diaspora.