Travel trade soars under Bantaba’s speed-dating platform

That Friday evening, the Ladi Kwali Hall at Sheraton Abuja Hotel was alive with activities. The hall was full with people who rather than been in a hurry to leave for the weekend, kept moving from one stand to the other, networking, negotiating deals, booking and paying for services in advance, among others.

They were participants at this year’s edition of Abuja Bantaba, a one-day speed-dating event that brings together buyers and sellers of travel and tourism under one umbrella to effectively network, trade, and update their knowledge and skills in the trade.

In its fourth edition, this year’s edition lived up to expectations, and was unique because it coincided with the Nigerian centenary celebration, thus honouring 100 personalities that have distinguished themselves in the Nigerian travel and tourism industry.

The Nigerian travelling public, hotel guests, hospitality investors, representatives from South Africa, Ghana and Dubai, among other stakeholders, had a field day with the exhibitors at the one-day speed dating event. From South African Airways, Emirates Airline, Royal Senchi Resort Ghana, Elpazio, Stayup Aviation, National Agency of Nigerian Travel Association, Hospitality Owners Forum Abuja, Nigerian Association of Tour Operators, to Cross River and Delta states, the exhibitors engaged the guests and customers at their stands on their improved services and products, promotions, destinations and projects, explaining further the need to patronise them, besides proffering answers to the complains some customers made on their products and services.

Royal Senchi Resort in Akosombo, Ghana, had a field day marketing the premium resort that already hosts many Nigerian weddings, honeymoon and parties. Participating for the first time, Royal Senchi, like Oliver Twist, came to ask for more. Emmanuel Mensah, sales and marketing manager of the resort, was very impressed with the many deals, reservation and inquires would-be guests made at the event, and so also Elidoni Okpeta, sales support, South African Airways, who made booking and destination issues easy for would-be passengers.

But what seems to be a highlight was the presentations by Delta and Cross River states on their efforts at making tourism count in their various states.

Chike Ogeah, commissioner for information, Delta State, represented the state well with efforts the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduagha had made to make the state a destination.

But Liyel Imoke, governor of Cross River State, had to take the podium himself to make the presentation on the destination Cross River was becoming, and recent efforts to woo global tourists, and hospitality investors into the state.

The governor marketed the multimillion naira convention centre in Calabar, noting that it was now the address for any important meeting, convention and glamorous occasions in Nigeria.

Part of his entourage was a group from Masta Blasta, the wining band of the 2013 Carnival Calabar. The group thrilled the audience to a mini carnival inside the Ladi Kwali Hall. However, Governor Imoke noted that the tourism industry needed a strong Federal Government practical policy and structure to support the genuine commitments of states with good tourism initiative and brand destination.

Another highlight of the one-day speed-dating event was the award night.

The award ceremony honoured 100 personalities, in line with the Nigerian centenary celebration. The personalities were honoured for their various efforts and sacrifices for the development of the Nigerian travel, tourism and hospitality industry.

Legend of travels, foremost of the awards categories, went to the pioneers in tourism development and promotion in Nigeria. The recipients include: late Audu Bako, Stella Oduah, Governor Liyel Imoke, and others.

Recipients of the Personality and Pioneer Awards include: Olusegun Runsewe, former DG, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Goodie Ibru, Chinyere Kalu, Chris Azu Aligbe, Andrew Okumgbowa, Chinedu Eze, Ahmed Ojuolape, Mohammed Sheriff, Nkereuwen Onung, Aminu Agoha, Munzali Dantata, Adebayo Salami, Kenneth Oudah, among others.

While presenting one of the awards, Akon Etim Eyakenyi, Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, and also former Commissioner for Tourism in Akwa Ibom State, commended the organisers of the event for sustain tourism development tempo with such events.

But standing tall above the audience and appreciating their participation, Ikechi Uko, publisher, ATQ Magazine, the organisers of Abuja Bantaba, commended the exhibitors and the Nigerian travel public for their supports which have seen the event grow from strength, content and appeal in every edition.

Explaining the uniqueness of this year’s Bantaba especially in commemorating the Nigerian Centenary celebration, Uko, acknowledged the private sector players who he described as the major drivers of the industry, commending them for their contributions and investments that have sustain, tourism in Nigeria today.

Uko, also commended the NANTA, NATOP and HOFA for their strong support for the tourism industry as they played sensitive role attracting investors to Nigeria through their activities.

While wishing the guests safe journey to their various states, and countries, he urged them to look forward to another fantastic edition of Abuja Bantaba in 2015.