Denis Opudo
Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey commonly known as Abeiku Santana is the CEO and destination and tourism marketing expert of leading travel and tours provider in West Africa. Additionally, he is the winner of OAP award. Aggrey took part in all the activities at the Africa Travel Indaba 2018 as an internationally hosted buyer. The event took place in the Durban City which was attended by high dignitaries including the delegation from the West African tourism sector. Also present were Mr. Kwesi Eyison the Head of Nigeria’s Tour operators association, Mrs. Nancy Sam who is the new president of the Tour operators Union of Ghana, Travel and Tourism magazine ATQ’s chief editor and publisher, and President of Women in Tourism Ghana among others.
This was the largest tourism marketing event to have taken place in Africa. Additionally, it was organized by Synergy Business Events. More than 1,747 buyers from across the world had a feeling of the strong soul and spirit of African content at Indaba in 2018. They made use of the opportunities tasting the culture and traditions of at least 22 African countries. Africa’s Travel Indaba 2018 was the meeting point of the exhibitors. Great buyers who have interest in selling the continent accessed a variety of African products. These were from South African hidden jewelry to the great experience across the continent.
According to a report by the award winner Kaya Tours, a travel and tour provider around 7,000 participants from 80 countries of which 22 countries were from Africa, got employed in marketing, matchmaking and learning innovative tech means in tourism stock delivery. Thereafter, Abeiku Santana made a quotation on how Derek Hanekom who is the South African Hon. Tourism Minister agitated for the upgrade of tourism products in order to attract supplementary investment in the continent.
The event was also attended by government Agencies, media, Destination Management Companies, tourism professionals, exhibitors and hosted buyers. The event plays an important role in the designing of Africa’s success stories. The exhibitors pitched a collection of products with more than 500 small enterprises referred to as Hidden Gems that came from company entrepreneurs. The tourism delegation from West Africa that attended the event included President of the Tour Operators Association in Nigeria, Hajia Barkisu, The President of the Tour Operators Union in Ghana, Mr Kwesi Eyison, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria , Alhaji Rabo Salih, Mr Bankole Bernard , The President of The Travel Agents of Nigeria among others. Mr. Sisa Ntshona the CEO of South Africa Tourism, gave closing remarks by praising the delegates from Africa for showing unity in making Africa one of the tourism destinations.
