Akwaaba to Honour Late Fatima Garbati with Special Grants as It Celebrates 20th Anniversary
As the Akwaaba African Travel Market marks its 20th anniversary, the event will pay a heartfelt tribute to the late Mrs. Fatima Garbati, an esteemed figure in the tourism industry, by introducing special grants and an award in her memory.
The announcement was made by the Outreach Team, who emphasised the importance of celebrating Mrs. Garbati’s legacy, particularly her unwavering support for tourism events and her passion for the Akwaaba African Travel Market.
“The whole idea is to support those who have a passion for tourism just as she did,” says the Outreach Team in the message to the organisers of Akwaaba African Travel Market.
“Fatima Garbati 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 team noted.
Mrs. Fatima Garbati, a former President of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) and an African Travel 100 award winner, was a stalwart in the tourism sector.
Her last notable appearance was at the NATOP Annual General Meeting in Ile Ife in 2019.
Over the years, she held various significant positions, including Deputy President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Deputy Director of Marketing at Nigerian Airways, and General Manager at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Consumer Protection Unit.
Mrs. Garbati was instrumental in nurturing NATOP and played a key role in the development of the Calabar Tourism project, which eventually led to the establishment of the famous Carnival Calabar.
In honour of her contributions, the organisers of Akwaaba have established grants that will be awarded to ten tourism and travel institutes across Nigeria.
The grants will benefit the tourism departments and the best graduating students in these institutions.
Additionally, ten travel clubs that actively promote tourism among the youth will also receive grants.
“We have chosen 10 tourism and travel institutes from all over the country that will benefit. 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 also have the privilege of nominating a tour operator to receive a grant. Furthermore, five tourism journalists will be recognised with grants, and a new annual award, the “Fatima Garbati Award for Tourism Journalism,” will be inaugurated in her honour.
As part of the 20th-anniversary celebrations, Akwaaba African Travel Market will also welcome several high-profile newcomers making their debut at the event.
Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Nairobi from Kenya, Memorial Healthcare Group from Turkey, and Costa Cruises from Italy are among the notable participants, each bringing a unique dimension to the expo.
These global brands are set to enrich the event, reflecting the increasing interest in the African travel and tourism market.
Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Nairobi, known for its luxurious accommodations and prime location in Kenya’s capital, will showcase its offerings to a diverse audience.
Memorial Healthcare Group, a leading private healthcare organisation in Turkey, will highlight the growing intersection of healthcare and tourism, especially in the realm of medical tourism.
Costa Cruises, celebrated for its Italian style and hospitality, will introduce its world-class cruise experiences to potential African travellers, marking a significant expansion into the African market.
The 2024 Akwaaba Travel Market, scheduled from September 22nd to 24th at Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos, promises to be a transformative event.
With the participation of over 50 countries, it will attract top government officials, industry leaders, and professionals from the travel, tourism, and healthcare sectors.
The event’s legacy as a pivotal platform for fostering connections, showcasing African tourism, and driving innovative opportunities is set to continue as it celebrates two decades of excellence.
Throughout its history, Akwaaba has hosted numerous prominent African leaders and organised various initiatives that have earned it international recognition.
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-General Sir Emeka Anyaoku.
Others include Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Nigeria Minister of Tourism, Amb. Frank Nchita Ogbuewu, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, former Deputy Tourism Minister of Zimbabwe, Ananstasia Ndhlovu, and 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, and Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, respectively, as well as the Olota of Ota, HRH Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege.
The event has successfully organised 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 organised the Africa Travel 100 Awards for Women, Youth under 40, Tour Operators, two successful editions of Medical Tourism, Africa Youth in Tourism Conference, and Destination Wedding.
As the event looks forward to its 20th anniversary, it remains a beacon of positive change in the travel and tourism sector, committed to promoting the diverse and rich offerings of Africa.
