By Omololu Olumuyiwa
The Cross River State Tourism Bureau wins the “Best Exhibition Stand in Nigeria’ at the just ended Akwaaba African Travel Market (AFTM) 2024.
Cross River State Commissioner for Tourism, Art & Culture, Hon. Robert Abubakar Ewa (2nd left) in a handshake with the Managing Director, Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong at the Cross River State Tourism Bureau exhibition stand at AKWAABA as other officials look on.
The Bureau currently ably led by the Managing Director, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong was established in 2003 with primary objectives of regulating the hospitality sector for the purpose of making the state as one of the best tourism destinations in Nigeria and globally.
The exhibition stand of Cross River State Tourism Bureau was massively voted by the delegates and visitors who attended the 3-Days exhibition.
Speaking after the announcement of Cross River State Tourism Bureau as the winner, the Managing Director, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong said “This is the first time the Bureau will be exhibiting in AKWAABA in more than 10 years. Our winning as the Best Exhibition Stand in Nigeria reveals that the bureau is poised to put Destination Cross River back in the tourism map in Africa and the world”.
Ekpenyong stated further, “Our exhibition themed at Akwaaba Travel Market, “Rediscover Cross River” was against the backdrop of the Season of Sweetness and the People first agenda of the Sen. Prince Bassey Otu’s led administration”.
“Public awareness helps to disseminate and promote knowledge about tourism and ultimately improve people’s understanding of tourism activities. We are fulfilled as one of the exhibitors at AKWAABA, we are able to showcased the tourism potentials in our state. Through the performances of our Calabar Carnival revelers, the delegates and most especially the foreign visitors are thrilled and convinced that the 2024 Calabar Carnival will be one with new vitality and greater excitement. Carnival Calabar, the Africa’s biggest street party holds yearly in December”, Ekpenyong concluded.
In her remark, the Consultant to the Cross River State Tourism Bureau and the Chief Executive Officer, ServiceCraft Company, Justina Ovat lauded the Managing Director, Cross River State Tourism Bureau, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong and described him as a man with stellar initiatives since his resumption in 2023.
She said “We are excited to be part of the success of the bureau at AKWAABA as the exhibition stand and collateral was branded by our noble company”.
Ovat commended the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu for prioritizing tourism and internationally reviving the sector.
“The commitments of Governor Otu’s administration towards making the State a tourism station in the world can not be over emphasised”, Ovat said.
The 20th edition of Akwaaba African Travel Market, an international travel, tourism and hospitality event held Sunday, 22nd to Tuesday, 24th September at the prestigious Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
AFTM has become the largest gathering of tourism stakeholders in West Africa promoting the rich tourism potentials in Nigeria, West African and the entire African continent.
Kenya won as the Best Overall stand while The Gambia emerged as the Best Exhibition Stand in West Africa.
