Events

20th Akwaaba African travel market set to shine in Lagos with youth tourism focus

Published

2 years ago

September 9, 2024

The 20th Akwaaba African Travel Market will take place in Lagos from September 22-24, 2024, featuring the 7th African Youth Tourism Bantaba with Minister Lola Ade-John as Special Guest of Honour. The event will also include the Jollof Rice Challenge and the Fatima Garbati Tourism Outreach Grant.

The 20th edition of the Akwaaba African Travel Market, Africa’s leading tourism and hospitality event, is scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria from September 22 to 24, 2024.

This year’s event promises to be a landmark occasion, featuring a range of exciting highlights and new additions.

One of the major attractions will be the 7th African Youth Tourism Bantaba, where Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, will serve as the Special Guest of Honour.

Also read: Akwaaba boss advocates govt backing for tourism growth

Minister Ade-John’s participation underscores the Nigerian government’s commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable tourism development.

She will deliver a keynote address on “Activating The Youth Tourism Potentials of Africa: A Call To Duty,” emphasizing the vital role of young Africans in shaping the future of the continent’s tourism industry.

The African Youth Tourism Bantaba has become a pivotal segment of the Akwaaba Travel Market, offering young tourism enthusiasts, students, and emerging professionals a platform to engage with industry leaders, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights into the tourism and hospitality sectors.

In addition to the Bantaba, the festival will host the popular Jollof Rice Challenge, kicking off on September 22. Top chefs from hotels across Nigeria will compete for grand prizes, showcasing their culinary skills and celebrating one of Africa’s most beloved dishes.

Another highlight of this year’s event is the awarding of the ₦5 million Fatima Garbati Tourism Outreach Grant. This grant will support selected institutions, brands, journalists, and young tour operators who have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s tourism growth.

The 20th Akwaaba African Travel Market will also welcome new high-profile participants, including Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Nairobi from Kenya, Memorial Healthcare Group from Turkey, and Costa Cruises from Italy. These newcomers will bring fresh perspectives and world-class services to the event.

Set to be held at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, Akwaaba 2024 will celebrate two decades of shaping Africa’s travel and tourism landscape.

The event has a history of hosting notable figures and tourism experts, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Sierra Leone Tourism Minister Dr. Memunatu Pratt, and the Olota of Ota, HRH Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege.

As Akwaaba continues to foster collaboration and innovation in Africa’s vibrant tourism sector, this year’s edition promises to be a transformative experience for all participants.

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

3 weeks ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.