It was an evening marked by vibrant music and a rich display of Africa’s dynamic culture showcasing the tourism and hospitality sector, as Frank Meke, a veteran tourism journalist and founder, Cre8tive 9JA Radio, with over three decades of experience in promoting African travel and tourism industry to the world was honored with the Outstanding Tourism Media Personality of the year award at the Afrique Travel Industry Conference & Awards (ATICA) held in lagos last weekend. ATICA is a premier pan Africa Cultural tourism and travel platform dedicated to celebrating excellence, fostering partnerships, and shaping the future of travel and tourism across the African continent.
Founded by Ambassador Emmanuel Ossai (Emios), ATICA aims to showcase the vast potential of Africa’s tourism and hospitality industries to the global travel market. With a vision for an Inter-African connection, connecting Africans and the world to the hug tourism potentials in the continent. The event was themed “Unlocking Africa’s Tourism Potentials through Collaborations.
In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Global Links and Chairman of the ATICA Board of Trustees, Pastor Mrs. Chinyere Umeasiegbu, popularly known as Pastor Chi, emphasized that ATICA represents a convergence of vision, purpose, and responsibility for the future of Africa’s tourism ecosystem.
“The theme speaks directly to our current reality and what is required of us,” she stated. “Africa is abundantly blessed our culture, people, heritage, and landscapes. However, potential, no matter how vast, must be activated through collaboration.”
Delivering a keynote lecture titled “Tourism as a Route Expansion Driver,” the Managing Director of Topaz Travels & Tours Limited, Mrs. Susan Akporaiye, highlighted the critical role of strategic partnerships in advancing Africa’s tourism future. A former President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), she stressed the importance of policy direction and continental integration.
Akporaiye advocated for a unified African identity on the global stage, noting her consistent practice of identifying simply as “African” at international engagements. She further underscored the need for visa liberalization across the continent, comparable to the Schengen model, to facilitate seamless travel for Africans.
She also emphasized the importance of infrastructure development particularly rail, road, and maritime connectivity as well as the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Launched in 2018, SAATM aims to create a unified air transport market across Africa by liberalizing civil aviation, enhancing competition, and improving connectivity, thereby boosting intra-African trade and tourism in line with the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision.
Reflecting on the future of the sector, Akporaiye noted that Africa’s diversity often perceived as a challenge should instead be embraced as a defining strength. She maintained that with determination and collective will, tourism could significantly contribute to economic growth across the continent.
Also speaking at the event, the Head of Marketing for the Namibia Tourism Board, Charmaine Matheus, presented Namibia as a premier tourism destination, describing it as “the shining diamond of Africa.” She highlighted key attractions, including Etosha National Park, renowned for its accessibility and abundant wildlife, including the Big Five; Sossusvlei, famous for its striking red sand dunes, including the iconic “Big Daddy”; and the Fish River Canyon, Africa’s largest canyon and a major hiking destination.
Matheus also spotlighted the Namib Desert, widely regarded as the world’s oldest desert, where the Atlantic Ocean meets vast arid landscapes. Visitors to Namibia, she noted, can also engage with indigenous communities and experience their unique cultural heritage.
Providing additional context, she explained that Namibia, with a population of approximately three million people and a landmass of 824,292 square kilometres, ranks as the 34th largest country globally.
The country enjoys around 300 days of sunshine annually, with a rainy season from January to June and a dry season from July to December. In 2024, Namibia recorded over 1.4 million tourist arrivals, with tourism remaining a major contributor to its economy.
Among other honourees was His Excellency, Mr. Walde Ndevashiya, High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria, with concurrent accreditation to Cameroon and Chad, and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS.
The 2026 edition of ATICA was supported by key sponsors, including the Namibia High Commission to Nigeria and FlyPro, an AI-powered travel technology company that provides a comprehensive travel companion platform.
The application enables users to check visa eligibility, understand entry requirements, store travel documents, generate AI-tailored itineraries, and connect with travel agents for bookings. Additional sponsors included Passport Monie, Bertab Journeys Limited, Between Travels & Tours Limited, and the Universal School of Aviation.