Lagos showcases tourism assets at Accra Weizo

The Conference Hall of the La Palm Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana, recently hosted stakeholders from the West African tourism sector and beyond for this year’s edition of Accra Weizo, a travel and tourism conference supported by the Ghana Tourism Authority.

The new push to position Lagos as the Tourism hub of West Africa and the Entertainment Capital of Africa was put on display at the event, as Lagos State mounted an exhibition along with 20 other firms at the two-day event that took place at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.
 
Represented by Mr. Babatunde Anann and Mrs. Adanma Oni, both Directors at the Ministry, the event witnessed the screening of Lagos Tourism video, which showcased the tourism assets of the state and the efforts by the current administration to grow the sector.

For the Ghana Tourism Authority, it was also an opportunity to showcase its tourism potential, having taken participants on a tour of some of its tourism sites.

In his presentation, Anann intimated participants of the changes the current administration in Lagos has put in place to grow the sector.

On her part, Mrs. Oni extended invitation to guests to visit Lagos, especially in December during the One Lagos Concert that heralds the New Year.

While introducing the Lagos contingent, the founder of Accra Weizo Ikechi Uko commended the Lagos State Government for the bold steps to develop tourism in the state, which will in turn position Lagos as the Tourism and Entertainment capital of West Africa.

“Lagos is the place to go for shopping and partying; fashion and religion are strong draws for one of Africa’s most exciting city.

With over 10-daily flights by AWA, Arik, Air Peace, ASKY, Rwandair and Air Namibia, it takes only 50 minutes to have a taste of Lagos fun.”

Ukoh observed that Lagos is now tapping into the desire of Africans to know the city, adding that Ghana, Kenya and South Africa remain the lowest hanging Tourism fruits for Lagos.

“Outside UK and the Diaspora Market in the USA, Ghana is the best place to market Lagos and I’m happy that the government is taking that opportunity,” he said.
  
In his remarks, the Acting CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) Mr Akwesi Agyeman praised Lagos State for joining the Weizo family.

He assured that Ghana would sign a long time MOU with the organisers to get more Ghanaians to be part of Accra Weizo.

“I congratulate the organisers for sustaining the event for four years and I promise you that Ghana will be in Lagos for Akwaaba African Travel Market in September,” he said.

As part of the two-day event, 42 participants, including tour operators and the media, were taken on a tour of Volta and Eastern Region of Ghana.

For three days, they visited the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary and the Akosombo Dam, before moving to Akosombo town for a night before leaving for Accra.