The Founder and organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ikechi Uko, has called on African countries to develop their respective domestic tourism.
According to him, with 1.4 billion people from 54 countries, Africa gets less than 100 million tourists annually.
Uko, a tourism development and travel expert, in a statement said, “If each country generates 10 per cent to 20 per cent of its population as domestic tourists and share about five per cent as tourists within Africa then we all will be happy with a thriving tourism industry in Africa.
“Since the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, Africa woke up to the opportunity offered by domestic tourism. Kenya, with its Tembea Kenya, was the first success story, South Africa with its Shot’Left and Nigeria with Naija7Wonders, Naija Explorers and and Nigerian Tourism Lovers proved that domestic is a sustainable path to follow.
“Most African Countries have since invested in developing domestic tourism. The African Tourism Conference at the 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market will be an opportunity for Africa to discuss what works and what doesn’t work. The efforts of most countries will be unpacked, dissected and profiled. Lessons learned will be shared.”
The Akwaaba boss said some selected panelists will be on the 15th of September at the African tourism conference to be held in Lagos, organised by Akwaaba African Travel Market, to discuss and proffer solutions on the topic: ‘Domestic Tourism In Africa’.
The panelists include, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Riali Consult and immediate past President of Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), Mrs. Alisa Osei Asamoah, Senate Presidential Advisor on Tourism, Uganda, Mrs. Lilly Ajarova and CEO, Zee travel and Tours (SMC-Private) Ltd, Zanzibar-Tanzania, Mrs. Ayman Thomas Malinda.
Others are Chairman, Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia, Dr. Adama Bah, Managing Director, GOTA Voyage (God’s Own Travel Agency), Benin, Dr. Olanma Ojukwu and CEO, Travel Lab Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Shalom Asuquo-Ankoh. While CEO, TheXperts Rwanda and representative of Congo, Wakanow Business Partner East and Central Africa, Fifi J. Rurangwa will moderate the event.
