The Fatimah Garbati Tourism Outreach, an NGO that seek to immortalize the contributions of the former president of Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), the late Mrs. Fatima Garbati, will be supporting practitioners in the tourism sub-sectors of travel media, schools and travel clubs with the sum of five million Naira, about 3,200 dollars.

“The whole idea is to support those who have a passion for tourism just like she did,” says the Outreach Team in the message to the organizers of Akwaaba African Travel Market. “Fatima Garbati has always supported tourism events and groups. She was especially passionate about Akwaaba and never missed one event! so it is only appropriate that we celebrate her memory here at Akwaaba.”

The recipients of the grant will be chosen by the organizers of Akwaaba. Late Mrs. Fatima Garbati an African Travel 100 award winner last served at the NATOP AGM in Ile Ife in 2019. She was the former President of NATOP, a former Deputy President of FTAN, a Deputy Director of Marketing at Nigerian Airways, and a GM at NCAA Consumer Protection Unit. Mrs. Garbati nurtured NATOP and led the association to the opening of the Calabar Tourism project that birthed the Carnival.

“We have chosen 10 tourism and travel institutes that will benefit from all over the country. The grants will go to the tourism departments and the best graduating students in the department,” said Ikechi Uko on behalf of Akwaaba. He added that 10 travel clubs that promote tours among the youth will also be given grants. There will be a raffle at Akwaaba for young tour operators, and the winners will be given cash grants as well. The President of NATOP will nominate a tour operator to benefit from the grants. Five tourism journalists will be given grants too. An annual Award “Fatima Garbati award for Tourism Journalism” will be inaugurated in her memory.

Akwaaba African Travel Market is the biggest travel expo in West Africa. As it celebrates its 20th anniversary, it has also announced that Mövenpick Hotel Nairobi Kenya, Memorial Healthcare Turkiye and Costa Cruises from Italy will be exhibiting for the first time at Akwaaba African Travel Market. The 20th edition of the Akwaaba Travel Market, West Africa’s largest travel and tourism exhibition fair, is set to be a landmark event with several high-profile newcomers making their debut. Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Nairobi from Kenya, Memorial Healthcare Group from Turkiye, and Costa Cruises from Italy will be participating for the first time, adding a new dimension to this prestigious event scheduled to take place from September 22nd to 24th, 2024, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Nairobi, renowned for its upscale hospitality and prime location in the heart of Kenya’s capital, will be showcasing its luxurious offerings to a diverse audience at Akwaaba. The hotel, which embodies African-themed design and world-class service, is eager to connect with key stakeholders in the African travel market. Joining Mövenpick at Akwaaba for the first time is Memorial Healthcare Group, a leading private healthcare organization based in Turkey. Memorial Healthcare is known for its cutting-edge medical services and state-of-the-art facilities, and its participation at Akwaaba underscores the growing intersection of healthcare and tourism. The group’s presence at the event highlights the increasing importance of medical tourism within Africa, offering new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Costa Cruises, the only cruise line flying the Italian flag and a member of the Carnival Corporation & plc Group, will also be making its first appearance at the Akwaaba Travel Market. With a legacy of 75 years, Costa Cruises is celebrated for its Italian style and hospitality, offering unparalleled cruise experiences across the globe. Their participation marks a significant step in expanding their footprint within the African market, bringing world-class cruising experiences to potential travelers from the region.

The 2024 Akwaaba Travel Market promises to be an exciting and transformative event, celebrating two decades of shaping the travel and tourism landscape in Africa. The inclusion of these esteemed new participants not only broadens the scope of the event but also reflects the growing interest of global brands in the African market.
This year’s event is set to attract top government officials, industry leaders, and professionals from across the travel, tourism, and healthcare sectors, making it a pivotal gathering for fostering new connections and exploring innovative opportunities. The 3-day event is scheduled to hold from 22nd to September 24th at the prestigious Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos.

As Akwaaba African Travel Market reaches the remarkable milestone of 20 years, the event stands as a testament to its enduring commitment to promoting the rich tapestry of travel and tourism in Africa. Over the years, Akwaaba has evolved into a pivotal platform that facilitates connections, fosters collaborations, and showcases the diverse offerings of the African travel industry. The upcoming 2024 event holds the promise of being a truly captivating experience, with the participation of more than 50 countries adding a global dimension to the celebration.

Akwaaba has played host to prominent African leaders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, former President of the Republic of The Gambia, Dauda Jawara, former Commonwealth Secretary, Sir Emeka Anyaoku, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Nigeria Minister of Tourism, Amb. Frank Nchita Ogbuewu, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, former deputy Tourism Minister of Zimbabwe, Ananstasia Ndhlovu, Tourism Minister of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mrs. Memunatu Pratt amongst many others. Also, the former and present Governors of Cross River State, Senator Ben Ayade, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu respectively, the Olota of Ota HRH, Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege.

The event has successfully organized various initiatives such as the Africa Travel 100 Awards, Medical Tourism editions, Africa Youth in Tourism Conference, and Destination Wedding, earning recognition with an Award of Excellence in Tourism from the Nigerian Government and UNWTO at the Global Tourism Summit in 2022.
Akwaaba has also successfully organized the Africa Travel 100 Awards for women, Youth under 40, Tour Operators, two successful editions of Medical Tourism, Africa Youth in Tourism Conference, Destination Wedding. As Akwaaba African Travel Market looks ahead to its 20th anniversary celebration, the event’s legacy as a catalyst for positive change in the travel and tourism sector is poised to continue.