September 24, (THEWILL) – The organisers of the Akwaaba African Travel Market have expressed pleasure over the involvement of tourism practitioners in the sustainability of the industry across borders.
Mr Ikechi Uko, founder of African Travel, gave applause at the 20th AKWAABA Expo while recognising 100 tourism practitioners for their efforts in constantly repositioning the industry to compete with other climes.
Uko said the global award was to recognise and appreciate practitioners in the industry who had been outstanding over the years, cutting across Africa.
“The award is meant to recognise individuals in different categories regarding their immense contribution to the development of the tourism sector in their countries”, he said.
One of the recipients of the award, Lucy Maruhi, Chief Executive Officer, Shelter Connections and Events, Kenya, who had been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years, expressed excitement at the award.
“I am so excited, I was not expecting this, I didn’t know anyone was watching me doing what I was doing. I was only doing all with passion.
“I feel so good, this gives me the energy to do more, I am so motivated right now. So, I will go and continue with my own way of generating employment for youths and women in Kenya through skills acquisition in making souvenirs for tourists”, she said.
Another recipient, Patrick Kamanga, Managing Director, Deans Travel Centre Ltd., Kenya, who had been at the forefront of promoting Intra-African trade and travel since 2020 when COVID-19 struck, said the award was truly commendable.
Kamanga said it was such a beautiful development to see his project yielding results. “Kenyans have begun to travel within Africa and getting an award for that is amazing.”
He said the award would spur him to promote tourism more, having partnered with some other African countries to drive the project as well.
“AKWAABA has demonstrated to me that indeed Africans are one and we must remain united”, he said.
Also, Dr Raphael James, Curator of the Centre for Research, Information and Media Development (CRIMMD) said, “I feel excited, encouraged and challenged to do more for my country, I didn’t see this coming, when I got the letter.
“I want to say thank you to AKWAABA and thank Nigerians for all the support given to 
me for the little nothing that I am doing for my country, Nigeria”, he said.
Dr Adama Bah, Chairman, Institute of Travel and Tourism of the Gambia, said: “I have got global awards but it is my first time getting an award in Africa through the promotion of responsible tourism. I appreciate it.”
Other recipients of the award are Sheikh Ahmed Nyang, Head of School, Institute of Travel and Tourism of Gambia; Alisa Osei-Asamoah, President, Tour Operators’ Union of Ghana, (TOUGHA); Dr Gabe Onah, Chairman, Carnival Calabar.
Also, Fifi Rurangwa, Chief Executive Officer, The Xperts; Fatou Mas Jobe, Former Minister for Tourism and Culture in the Gambia; Abubacarr Camara, Director-General, Gambia Tourism Board and Dr Adama Bah, Chairman, Institute of Travel and Tourism of the Gambia.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
