By Innocent Orok
The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), West Africa’s largest body of travel trade professionals, has been honoured with the Best African Travel Association Award at the prestigious African Tourism Awards held in London, United Kingdom.
According to the organisers, NANTA emerged as the first recipient of the award in recognition of its resilience, strategic initiatives, and unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable intra-African travel and tourism trade .The association was also commended for its consistent presence and outstanding representation of Nigeria’s cultural tourism offerings at the World Travel Market (WTM) London over the past three years.
The award ceremony, which took place on Sunday, November 2, at the Hilton Hotel, Canary Wharf, served as a prelude to the official opening of the 2025 World Travel Market London the following day. The event set the stage for renewed engagement and collaboration in global cultural tourism promotion.
NANTA President, Mr Yinka Folami, who was unavoidably absent at the ceremony, was represented by the association’s immediate past president, Mrs Susan Akporiaye, the National Publicity Secretary, Mrs Lola Adewole and National internal Auditor, Mr Johnson Ugochukwu.
In his reaction, Mr Folami described the recognition as a significant motivation for NANTA to further advance tourism and travel trade growth in Nigeria and across the continent.
“I was on my way to London for WTM and felt truly elated that our efforts at NANTA are being appreciated by the organisers, and indeed by many Nigerians in the diaspora who always identify with us whenever we showcase Nigeria’s tourism potential at WTM,” he said.
“Although we could not officially participate this year—hoping that the government would take over the coordination of Nigeria’s presence—it’s heartwarming that NANTA members are still strongly represented in London. I sincerely appreciate Mrs Akporiaye, Mrs Adewole and Mr Johnson Ugochukwu for standing in the gap,” he added.
Speaking on the vision behind the award, Mr Efetobo Awhana, Executive Producer of the African Tourism Awards, emphasized that the continent offers some of the richest and most diverse cultural tourism experiences in the world.
“Through this initiative, we seek to highlight Africa’s best hotels, most reliable operators, and exceptional destinations,” Mr Awhana explained.
“The African Tourism Award was conceived to reshape the continent’s tourism narrative and encourage travel to Africa, by Africans, and for Africans—particularly those in the diaspora,” he concluded.
