Keyamo, Oyebanji Win Top Honours at Travellers Award

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Governor of Ekiti, Abiodun Oyebanji, have been recognised among top industry personalities to be honoured at the Travellers Award 2024/2025.

In a statement on Friday, the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ikechi Uko, said the award was aimed at celebrating exceptional achievements in Nigeria’s travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality industries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Travellers Award 2024/2025, organised by ATQNEWS.COM, will hold on Sept. 14.

The organisers recognised Oyebanji as ‘Tourism Governor of the Year’ for his investments in tourism infrastructure, sustainable development initiatives and cultural promotion, that have boosted Ekiti’s profile as a leading West African destination.

According to the organisers, Keyamo will be honoured as ‘Aviation Man of the Year’ for his transformative reforms in the aviation sector.

“Some of his achievements include resolving 98 per cent of $850 million trapped airline funds, expanding Bilateral Air Services Agreements and improving Nigeria’s aviation safety rating from 40 per cent to 80 per cent.”

Other honourees include the Managing Director of ValueJet Airline, Capt. Omololu Majekodunmi, as ‘Travel Personality of the Year’ for the airline’s rapid expansion to Freetown, Gambia and Cotonou.

Also, Amb. Wanle Akinboboye, as ‘Tourism Personality of the Year’ for growing La Campagne Tropicana resorts and hosting the Ipada Carnival.

The General Manager of Lagos Continental Hotel, Karl Hala, was named ‘Hotel Manager of the Year’ for his excellent management of hotels, both in Lagos and Abuja, while Ibom Air secured ‘Best Nigerian Airline of the Year’ for its quality service and on-time performance.

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Qatar Airways emerged the ‘International Airline of the Year’, while Ethiopian Airlines won two awards – ‘African Airline of the Year’ and ‘African Cargo Airline of the Year’.

Turkish Airlines was recognised as ‘International Cargo Airline of the Year’.

Other winners include Lagos Aviation Academy as ‘Aviation School of the Year’, and Diamonds and Pearls Travels as ‘Tour Operator of the Year’ in the outbound category.

Global Anago Adventures clinched the ‘Tour Operator of the Year’ for inbounds, while Naija Explorers won the ‘Best Domestic Tour Operator of the Year’. (NAN)