By Frank Meke
Barely few hours to the opening of the world’s biggest travel and tourism trade exhibition, popularly known as the World Travel Market (WTM), Nigeria’s travel trade professionals President, Mr Yinka Folami has brushed aside fears of a division in Nigeria’s participation, and assured of his association’s readiness to present a united front for the country at the event.
Folami, who spoke with me at the Excel London Exhibition grounds after a pre inspection of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) pavilion and also that Nigeria, which is strategical within the same parameters and close to each other, noted that his association will bring its years of experience in participation at the event to bear to help flourish and advance the true essence of a united marketing and promotion of Nigeria rich cultural tourism offerings, adding that NANTA cannot be seen to work against Nigeria and her people.
” We at NANTA inspired the return of Nigeria to WTM after holding forth for three years and, therefore, will do all within our powers and opportunities to present Nigeria’s cultural tourism offerings to the world. NANTA will disappoint those who expect us to do otherwise, and whatever gave fears to such expectations a few weeks ago had been adequately addressed, and you can see here today that the nanta team is here to ensure no stones were left unturned inorder to drive this dream which we gave birth to after ten years of our country’s absence from this all important event ” NANTA president explained.
He further disclosed that NANTA would engage the leadership of the Nigerian delegation during formal opening of the event by ten am UK time tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5th, in oder to properly align to the Nigerian agenda at the event, assuring that nanta will excite the return of Nigeria to the global gathering of travel and tourism trade community.
“I have met with my team here and am excited about the work ongoing about our pavilion. We expect some finishings before
the time the trade exhibition opens tomorrow. Nigeria pavilion, which is in front of us, is also great and beautifully well laid out. Together tomorrow by God grace, the world will welcome Nigeria back to the fold, and nanta structure should be part of the larger Nigeria experience and narratives and nothing less. ” reiterated NANTA president who later posed for a group photograph with the immediate past president of NANTA, Mrs Susan Akporiaye, first deputy president, Pastor Mrs Chiyinyere Umeasiegbu and Mr Efe Awhna, chairman, NANTA tourism committee, in appreciation to the good work done by nanta wtm Cordinating team.
The London wtm kicks off tomorrow with its doors thrown open to visitors and trade exhibitors by ten am (9 am, Nigeria time).
