Akwaaba increased number of travellers to the Gambia by 39%
The Gambian Tourism Board has revealed that air arrival from Nigeria increased by 39 per cent compared with previous years, thanks to Akwaaba African Travel Market.
This revelation was made by the Director of Marketing, GTB, Adama Njie, in anticipation for another successful outing at the 2019 AFTM scheduled to hold from 22 to 24th September.
He confirmed that the AFTM has really proven its feat as West Africa’s biggest tourism expo, as it has boosted the growth of the nation’s tourism since its inception.
According to him, the AFTM will continue to be a melting point for Destination Gambia and other tourism destination marketers across the globe.
In an interview with thepoint.gm, an online medium, Njie outlined the importance of the African Travel Market trade fair to the destination since the country rejoined Akwaaba in 2018.
According to record, he said air arrivals for Nigerian Market between 2015 and 2018 revealed that 2018 has the highest total increase air arrival “with a 39 per cent increase compared with previous years.”
He disclosed further that among non-traditional markets arrival from January to December 2018, there were 77,109, an increase of 21 per cent compared with January to December 2017 arrivals of 63,492.
From these non-traditional market figures, “Nigerian and American markets top the list of arrivals by nationalities from the non-traditional in 2018 both accounting for 7 per cent” followed by other markets.
Adama Njie, who was among the three-panelists that deliberated on ‘The Role of DMCs and DMOs in Sustainable Destination Marketing in Africa’ at the 14th edition of AFTM in 2018, explained that the Gambia got a decline in number of arrivals from Nigeria when the destination (Gambia) seized to participate in the Akwaaba Travel Market “but The Gambia rejoining the AFTM is now a plus to the country as we are gradually picking up again.”
The Gambia team to this popular and renowned travel and trade exhibition will be led by the Director-General of GTBoard, Abdoullahi Hydara and to be accompanied by other stakeholders in the like of NCAC, GTHI, ITTOG, GIA, Aviation and Tour Operators among others.
The catalyst behind the annual organization of the AFTM, Ikechi Uko, is a travel enthusiast who has seen enormous opportunities in the travel industry and wants every governmental authority to explore.
Driven by his passion, Ikechi also organises other events like the Abuja Jabamah, Accra Weizo, and Banjul Bantaba.
He commended the Gambia Tourism Board under the Ministry of Tourism and culture for taking the bold step to rejoin the AFTM in 2018.
He disclosed that The Gambia, with its brand equity, has opportunity to occupy its space as far as tourism is concerned in West Africa.
He stated that there are six popular events that dominated and have brand equity in West Africa which The Gambia is one of them.
According to him, they include: “Dak’Art in Senegal which is for visual arts; FESPACO in Burkina Faso for movies; PANAFEST for culture in Ghana; AKWAABA, Nigeria for tourism; ROOTS Festival in The Gambia (slated for December 2020) and Carnival Calabar in Nigeria.”
