BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
“Africa Celebrates 2022”, an event that compelled hundreds of delegates from the continent to flow to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and to gather at the African Union Hall concluded yesterday by staging “Africa Fashion Reception Gala Fashion’ in which number of fashion designers coming from 30 African countries took place.
At the program, which was held for three consecutive days- from the 19th to 21st of October- in conjunction with the Africa Talks Business and Investment Forum, various activities were performed; including an Art Installation and VIP viewing cocktail and cultural performances of music, dance, and cuisine from all over Africa.
As it was stated by organizers of the event, the event aimed at celebrating Africa’s unity in diversity, fostering integration through its rich cultural heritage which can be explored as a catalyst for social economic growth, promote intra and inter African trade and tourism and encourage Africans and the rest of world to patronize “Made in Africa” food, clothes and music by tasting Africans’ cuisine, wearing their clothes, appreciating their music, dance, arts and crafts.
What is more, it portrays Africa’s uniqueness and diverse offerings in terms of fashion, culture, heritage, music, dance and showcase the Continent’s best talent.
In her message to participants of the Africa Celebrates 2022 event, Minister of Tourism Ambassador Nasise Chali said that Africa has tremendous resources and potentials in the tourism sector. However, many of the African countries have not benefited from the resources because the countries’ tie in the sector is weak. Thus, countries of the region should work untiringly and in partnership so as to make the sector more effective and benefit from it noticeably.
Such type of events; because they are much helpful to bring Africans together, have greater benefits in terms of increasing their common wealth. The Ministry of Tourism will continue working to increase the trend of preparing such exhibitions and forums in our city and country, she added.
Particularly, for the reason Addis Ababa is the capital of Africa, the activities of promoting city’s attraction sites and service providing institutions; as well as endeavors to attract more events will continue in more concerted and strengthened manner, Ambassador Nasise remarked.
The Africa Celebrates 2022 event, which was opened by staging exhibitions of various products that show Africans’ culture and art by 32 exhibitors from 28 countries continued by discussing varieties of matters and displaying number of events, including ‘Africa Talks Business and Investment Forum’ that was organized to discuss the agenda that will help to accelerate trade and investment activities for individuals, governments and private organizations in the continent and performing Fashion Exhibition-Expo, where fashion designers from all over Africa showcased their rich dress culture.
The Fashion Exhibition was officially opened by Minister of Tourism, Ambassador Nasise Chali. Welcoming the exhibitors of the Fashion Expo and attendees from across Member States, Amb. Nasise said that this great event is in celebration of Africa’s uniqueness and diverse offerings in terms of fashion, culture, and heritage.
She also mentioned the slow pace in the transformation of the continental drive in appreciating so many opportunities at stakeholders’ disposal as a continent with a feeling of sorrow. “There is a greater need for a joint packaging design and joint marketing strategies in positioning Africa’s eco-tourism development,” she added. Exhibitors brought much flavor in celebrating and igniting the untapped fashion industry in tourism which surpassed some of the global fashion displays, as e Turbo News reported.
While talking about the event following guests’ visit to Ethiopia’s tourist attraction sites in Addis Ababa, Tourism Marketing and Promotion Senior Expert at the Ministry of Tourism, Mohamed Habib Jebel told local media that the forum will promote Ethiopia’s tourism potential significantly. Among the African guests who came to Ethiopia to attend the Africa Celebrates 2022 event at the African Union, the Ministry identified 50 to 60 visitors that can help promote Ethiopia’s tourism sites. They have visited the National Museum, Science Museum, and Unity Park among others, he added.
Stating that Ethiopia has unique tourist destinations that attract Africans and other tourists, the Expert expressed his hope that the visit will contribute a lot in terms of promoting the tourism sector and facilitate intra-Africa tourism and Africa’s integration.
According to him, Ethiopia has many special tourist attractions. Aside from the renowned ones that were registered at the UNESCO list, there are also many unique heritages that can never be found elsewhere. “The country is bestowed with unique natural, historical, religious, cultural and artificial tourist attractions that require more investment, promotion and marketing.” Thus, as to him, such experience would yield considerable outcomes in the tourism sector.
Participants of the Africa Celebrates event has visited signature annual event bringing together continental industry designers as well as ambassadors, ministers of tourism, CEOs, and representatives from the Pan African Parliament and African Union to this important three-day event.
The Africa Celebrates 2022 tour was organized by the Legendary Gold Limited in collaboration with the African Union and Embassy of Nigeria in Ethiopia, Pristine Marketing Group.
On the occasion about 600 guests from 40 African countries attended the three-day Africa Celebrates 2022 event and visited tourist destinations in the capital city including the National Museum, Unity Park, Science Museum, Coffee gallery among others, it was learnt.
Among others, the Executive Chair of the African Tourism Board, Mr. Cuthbert Ncube; the President and CEO of Legendary Gold Limited, Mr. Lexy Mojo-Eyes; and the former Nigerian Minister of Culture & Tourism, Founder and Chairperson, Centre for Creative Industries, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, and other delegates attended the event.
The Ethiopian Herald October 22/2022
