Ghanaian Tourism Entrepreneur Mary Nyamekye Asamoah Wins Africa Travel 100 Award in Nigeria

Ghanaian tourism and aviation entrepreneur Madame Mary Nyamekye Asamoah has been honoured with the Africa Travel 100 Tour Operators Award 2026 in recognition of her contributions to the travel and tourism industry.

The award was presented at the 22nd edition of the Akwaaba Travel Market in Nigeria, one of Africa’s major travel and tourism trade events, which brings together industry professionals, tourism organisations, destinations and businesses to promote collaboration and growth across the continent.

Madame Asamoah, Chief Executive Officer of Spotless Travel and Tours and Spotless Aviation and Professional Training Institute, was among a select group of tourism professionals from across Africa recognised for their contributions to the development of the continent’s travel and tourism sector.

Her recognition highlights years of work spanning aviation, tourism, travel services and professional training, with a particular focus on creating travel opportunities and equipping young people with the skills needed to pursue careers in the industry.

Madame Asamoah’s interest in aviation and tourism began at an early age, eventually leading her to pursue a career in the aviation industry.

She started her professional journey as a cabin crew member with Starbow Airline, where she gained valuable experience in aviation operations, hospitality and customer service.

Her time in the airline industry also deepened her interest in travel and tourism, laying the foundation for her transition into entrepreneurship.

She subsequently established Spotless Travel and Tours, a company through which she has organised tours for individuals and groups to destinations across Africa and beyond.

The tours have provided travellers with opportunities to explore different destinations, cultures and experiences while contributing to the promotion of tourism and cross-border travel.

Through the business, she has continued to pursue her interest in connecting people with new destinations and experiences, while building her presence in the tourism industry.

Beyond travel services, Madame Asamoah has extended her work into professional education and skills development through the establishment of Spotless Aviation and Professional Training Institute.

The institute was created to provide young people interested in aviation, hospitality and tourism with training and practical exposure to prepare them for careers in the sector.

One of the distinctive features of her training approach is the use of an aircraft as an office and learning environment, allowing students to gain a practical appreciation of the aviation industry.

The initiative is designed to help students understand the professional environment in which aviation personnel operate, complementing their training with exposure to the industry.

Her work in professional training reflects a broader commitment to developing the human resources needed to support the growth of aviation, hospitality and tourism in Ghana and across Africa.

By combining entrepreneurship with skills development, Madame Asamoah has positioned her businesses to contribute not only to travel services but also to the preparation of young people for employment and professional opportunities in the sector.

The Africa Travel 100 Tour Operators Award 2026 adds to Madame Asamoah’s profile as a Ghanaian entrepreneur working across travel, aviation and professional education.

Her recognition at the Akwaaba Travel Market places her among tourism professionals acknowledged for their contributions to Africa’s travel and tourism industry.

The award also draws attention to the role of tour operators and other private-sector players in promoting destinations, facilitating travel and creating opportunities for cooperation among tourism stakeholders.

Through Spotless Travel and Tours, Madame Asamoah has focused on organising travel experiences, while her training institute seeks to equip aspiring professionals with the knowledge and practical exposure required to enter the industry.

Her work brings together two areas of tourism development: the provision of travel services and the training of the people who will support the sector’s future growth.

Despite her achievements in travel, tourism and professional training, Madame Asamoah’s long-term ambition is to establish and operate her own airline.

The goal represents the next stage of her career in an industry in which she began as a cabin crew member before moving into tourism entrepreneurship and aviation education.

Her experience across these areas has provided a foundation for her continued pursuit of opportunities within the aviation and travel sectors.

Her journey from working with Starbow Airline to leading two businesses demonstrates her progression from aviation employment into entrepreneurship, with an emphasis on tourism development and youth empowerment.

As she continues to build her businesses, her ambition to operate an airline remains a central part of her long-term vision.

The Akwaaba Travel Market is a major travel and tourism trade event in Africa that brings together industry stakeholders, tour operators, travel professionals, tourism destinations and other businesses.

The event provides a platform for networking, business development, partnerships and the promotion of tourism opportunities across the African travel market.

The 22nd edition, held in Nigeria, provided the setting for the presentation of the Africa Travel 100 Tour Operators Award 2026 to Madame Mary Nyamekye Asamoah, bringing recognition to her work in tourism, aviation and professional training.