Dr Fahad Al Taffaq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Nigeria says his country is proud to Nigeria in particular, and Africa in general in the upcoming Dubai Tourism Expo 2020.
Al Taffaq said this in Abuja on Wednesday at the annual Dubai Tourism West Africa Road Show 2020 Trade fair.
The Road Show was held to provide a platform to announce Expo 2020 billed for October later in the year.
The envoy said that the trade fair was an avenue to connect with operators in both the private and public sectors in the hospitality industry and to meet with 52 partners across Nigeria and Dubai.
Al Taffaq added that the fair was a step toward achieving the vision of making Dubai the most visited destination by more than 23 million visitors by the year 2025.
“It delights me to announce that in 2019 Nigeria represented the fastest growing market for Dubai with an impressive 33 per cent increase in visitor arrivals.
“This truly is a testament to the success of Dubai’s market diversification strategies, its global appeal, and the excellent work of Dubai Tourism and other stakeholders like you all present here today.
“Our economic cooperation and tourism growth has been fuelled by enhanced connectivity between both nations.
“Also, as of 2018, the total volume of non-oil bilateral trade between the UAE and Nigeria was 1.5 billion dollars.
“One of the two main UAE Airlines – Dubai-based Emirates Airline – operates a combined 21 flights weekly from Lagos and Abuja to Dubai.
“In addition, Nigerian carrier, Air Peace recently launched 3 weekly flights from Nigeria to Dubai via Sharjah,” he said.
According to him, the objective of the Expo is to expand the horizon for tourism in Dubai to wider prospects, more specifically from great African nations like Nigeria.
“We are very proud of the strong relation the UAE has with the Federal Republic of Nigeria and hope to continue to build on this relationship.
“I wish you all the best in today’s event,” Al Taffaq said.
The Expo is expected to be the biggest in the history of the Arab World and the first World Expo ever to be held in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has confirmed its participation in the expo in which more than 200 countries and more than 25 million visitors are being expected.
More than 52 stands were set up at the trade fair by operators in the hospitality and entertainment industries.
The annual roadshow will hold across key cities in Ghana and Nigeria to increase the promotional efforts of the city’s tourism proposition to African tourists.
Dubai Tourism which began the 2020 roadshow in Accra, Ghana, on Feb. 24, moved to Abuja, Nigeria, on Feb. 26.
It is expected to hold in Port Harcourt on Feb. 28, and in Lagos on March 2.
