In a presentation made by the Deputy Secretary General of the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), Mr. Li Baochun, the economic advantage of outbound tourism from China having immense benefits for Africa in general and West Africa particularly, was the central message.
“Chinese outbound tourists reached 1.138 billion in 2014 and I have full confidence that West Africa is the next holiday destination for the Chinese. In 2014, Chinese outbound travel to Africa was increased significantly by 80.9%. Africa is attractive to the west and certainly attractive to the Chinese. The Chinese could be the next tourism-able market for West Africa,” said Mr. Baochun.
Two other celebrities of African descent graced the 2015 edition of Ariya Expo, celebrating it for its significance. Trinidad and Tobago’s Rudolph Walter and Jamaica’s Angela Wynter are recognized celebrities who act in the BBC One soap opera, Eastenders. They were both happy to identify with the wealth of human resource and values in the West African region that the event succeeds in uncovering each year.
Beats from the homeland serenaded the air as an artful drummer and his graceful dancer took the audience on a journey to West Africa with cultural songs and folklores. The entertainment was made complete when during lunch-break participants at Ariya Expo were treated to traditional snacks and drink of plaintain chips and calabash-served palmwine. It was truly a taste of West Africa.
Convener and Chief Executive Officer of the West Africa Tourism Seminar, Ms. Ola Wright had in her opening remarks said that West Africa has over time carved out a cliché as the best beauty of Africa, especially in the areas of culture, tradition and complete social freedom. She stated clearly that: “West Africa Tourism is calling for stronger regional cooperation and increased partnerships as means to build a stronger brand value for West Africa.”
Ms. Wright further noted: “This forum is set to bring West African countries under one roof to share our beautiful story with the world.”
West Africa Tourism Ariya Expo is an annual event and the 2015 edition was held on November 3rd at the Excel Centre in London United Kingdom.
