Emirates Airlines has announced that it has been honoured with the Travel Gold Award of Excellence for “Connecting Africa to the World” in recognition of its outstanding contribution to African tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.
This was disclosed in a statement from the airline made available to The PUNCH and endorsed by the airline’s Country Manager, Paulos Legesse. The award, according to the statement, was presented at the Africa Tourism & Creative Economy Expo, held in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, in Abuja.
The event also featured the formal unveiling of the “Culture Meter,” a new tool designed to track Africa’s tourism index and progress.
According to the organisers, the award acknowledges Emirates’ sustained investment in Africa’s tourism and creative sectors, driven by long-term partnerships with governments and tourism agencies across the continent.
Earlier this year, Emirates expanded its collaboration with several African tourism authorities, including Nigeria’s Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, to attract more international visitors and position Nigeria as a leading destination in Africa.
Emirates says its partnerships align with Nigeria’s broader tourism development agenda, aimed at upgrading infrastructure, expanding hospitality offerings, and strengthening air connectivity between Nigeria and major global markets.
Accepting the award on behalf of the airline, Emirates Country Manager for Nigeria, Paulos Legesse, said, “This award reflects the trust and confidence Nigerian travellers place in Emirates.
“Our commitment goes far beyond operating flights; we strive to deliver a seamless, world-class travel experience at every touchpoint. From our onboard comfort to our hospitality on the ground and our extensive global network, we aim to make every journey exceptional.
“Since launching operations in Nigeria, Emirates has proudly served as a gateway between Africa and Dubai, connecting Nigerian travellers not only to the UAE but to more than 150 destinations worldwide. We remain committed to opening doors for Nigerians in business, leisure, education, and culture through unmatched connectivity and service excellence.”
The Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo, organised by Africultour Limited in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, was held with the theme: “Optimising Africa’s Comparative and Competitive Advantage for Accelerated Trade and Economic Growth.”
CEO of Africultour Limited, Chuks Akamadu, applauded Emirates for “raising the standard of international travel, championing regional tourism, and playing a pivotal role in connecting Africa to the world.”
