Organizers of Accra Weizo, a travel event that seeks to grow seamless Travel in West Africa, have announced a return of the event after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sixth edition of travel expo which is organised by the Akwaaba African Travel Market in partnership with Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) is scheduled for May 26, 2023.
In addition, Accra Weizo 2023 will also see the return of the Balafon Awards which was instituted in 2009 to recognize individuals and organizations that have excelled and contributed to the growth of the travel and tourism industry in West Africa. The 2023 Balafon Awards will recognize the Top 30 resorts in West Africa.
West Africa is the biggest region in Africa with over 400 million people rich in culture and tourist attractions. It receives the least number of tourists yet, West African Countries generate the highest number of outbound travellers in Africa. There is a need to encourage West Africans to Travel within the region and this is the goal of Accra Weizo.
To make this happen, there is a need to create a seamless travel environment making West Africa an open domestic market, harnessing the market and opportunities within which is the goal of Accra Weizo.
It has stimulated inspiring discussions on how to liberalise movement within the African borders, especially in West Africa, to promote travel across borders, viz-a-viz easing business transaction and movement of people.
Over the years, Accra Weizo has become one of the biggest travel events in Ghana having in attendance the Minister of Tourism, Director General of Tourism Agencies and prominent drivers of Travel and Tourism in Africa.
The sixth edition of Accra Weizo will have a lineup of topics, together with selected experts and stakeholders in the tourism, travel and allied business sector to identify, deliberate and proffer solutions to some of the barriers of seamless travel in West Africa.
Past editions of Accra Weizo had in attendance lots of VIPs including His Royal Highness, Nene Nagai Kassa VIII, Honourable Mike A. Gizo, Chief of Agomeda, and President of Shai Traditional; members of the diplomatic Corps in Ghana which included High commissioners and Ambassadors, among whom are Lulu Xingwana, High Commissioner, South African High Commission in Accra – Ghana; Mr. Thomas Okyere, the Honorary Consul, Botswana Honorary Consulate in Accra – Ghana; Ambassador Pavelyn Tendai Musaka, Zimbabwe Embassy in Accra – Ghana and Mwansa S. Rowland, Deputy High Commissioner for Zambia High Commission in Accra-Ghana. The Namibian Ambassador and the Nigerian High Commissioner were also in Attendance.
In 2017, it hosted the awards for ‘Top 100 Tourism personalities in West Africa’. At the 2018 edition it hosted the ‘Top 100 Hotels in West Africa’. Past winners include: Carnival Calabar – Tourism Event of the Year, Hon. Catherine Afeku – Tourism Minister of the Year, Captain Ado – Aviation Man of the Year.
Mrs. Uloma Egbuna, MD Tour Brokers International – Tourism Man of the Year, and Hon Cecilia Dappah – Aviation Minister of the Year, among others.
The 2023 winners will be selected through a vetting Process that includes a public vote that will end by April 2023.
Major highlights of the 6th Accra Weizo Travel event include Conference, B2B, Fam Trip, Exhibitions, and the Balafon Awards.
The organizer in partnership with Ghana Tourism Authority would host delegates from West Africa, and other regions of the continent on a two-day familiarization tour from the 23rd to the 25th of May.
The 6th Accra Weizo promises to be super exciting as participants taking part in the tour will be visiting some of the fascinating sites and experience nightlife in Ghana.
Accra Weizo is an event opened to all African Tour Operators which offers an opportunity to meet and network with the leading Tourism Personalities in West Africa.
The travel fair has grown to become an event on the calendars of every tour operator in West Africa and has helped in changing the narrative of West Africa by collaborating and easing business in tourism across Africa.
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