The Nation Newspaper

Category: Travels on Saturday

  • Council boss advises residents on use of life jackets

    Council boss advises residents on use of life jackets

    Badagry Local Government Council Chairman, Mr. Olusegun Onilude, has advised residents in the riverine areas of the council to be safety conscious by availing themselves of the use of life jackets while travelling on water.

    He gave this advice during the commissioning of a 17-seater fibre speed boat and a fish smoking kiln donated to the council by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA).

    The council boss said the council would not condone the act of non-usage of life jackets while travelling on the speed boat.

    He said:“The life jacket is a very important tool when using water transportation. God forbid, in the event of an accident, the most easily accessible tool is the life jacket, hence I urge you to make use of it regularly as a means of protecting your life in the advent of eventualities.”

    Onilude, who described the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in Lagos State as the people’s government, commended him for responding to the yearnings of the people of the Badagry Local Government Area and the state in general by providing an enabling environment for the smooth running of their economic activities.

    “In order to ensure food security in Badagry and the state in general, the state government has again deemed it fit to give out a fish smoking kiln to the fish vendors which is a very essential tool in fish processing. For the avoidance of doubt, you will see that our administration is running an all- inclusive government and no stone will be left unturned,” he said.

    Onilude, who used the occasion to drum up support for the re-election of Governor Ambode for the second term, said for his laudable achievements recorded so far in the state, the best way to show gratitude was to vote him for a second term so as to continue his developmental agenda for Badagry and the state in general.

    In her address on the occasion, Lagos State commissioner for the Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Hon. Lola Akande, said the commissioning of a 17-seater fibre speed boat and a fish smoking kiln to the local government was part of the state government’s resolve to take advantage of  natural resources in the marine environment for the growth and development of commercial activities of the people, especially women and children in the riverine areas of the local government.

    She noted that the boat was manufactured from a durable fibre glass which makes it lighter and faster on the waterways compared with the conventional wooden boats. It is equipped with safety equipment, including standard safety vests to ensure that passengers are secured in the event of any mishap.”

  • Lagos unveils ERA system for consumption tax

    Lagos unveils ERA system for consumption tax

    In its effort to leverage on e-payment and multi-modal payment portals, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has unveiled an automated invoicing system and technology device, Electronic Revenue Assurance (ERA) system at a stakeholders’ meeting held with hotel and business owners in the hospitality and tourism sector of Lagos State at the Banquet Hall, State House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, February 22.

    With the theme “Fiscalization of hotel occupancy and restaurant consumption tax law,” the stakeholders’ meeting highlighted the benefits of improving profit, sustenance of cash flow and reduction in revenue leakage for hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, bars and event centres owners in Lagos State through the ERA device.

    In his speech at the official unveiling of the ERA system,  His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State, ably represented by the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, reiterated his commitment to make the state one of the largest economy and smartest cities in the world.

    He enjoined the residents and business owners in Lagos State to key into the new ERA by promptly paying their consumption taxes through the newly introduced technology.

    ”Funds are required to enable government  actualize its objective of the provision of adequate infrastructure and services for the residents of expected of a mega city. Prompt payment of taxes is the way in which government is able to finance its activities,”he said.

    According to the Chairman of LIRS, Mr. Ayodele Subair, “The hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, fast food outlets, bars, event centres, among others, serve as agents of the government for the purpose of remittance of 5% consumption tax collected from customers through the LIRS new technology, Electronic Revenue Assurance System.

    The chairman stated that the commencement of the new system takes effect immediately as LIRS officers will be visiting hospitality places to install the software and train their staff on the use of the new device.

    The ERA system  is a software application/device that issues invoices and receipts to consumers bearing a unique QR code. The receipt will also contain detailing of the items and/or services ordered and an embedded automation of consumption tax remittance in real time.

    In his speech, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, stated that “the hotel occupancy and restaurant consumption tax law is not a new law but an existing law.  The device is to ensure efficiency and compliance of remittance of consumption tax from the owners of hotel, restaurants, nightclubs and events centres in the state.

    He said the protection of consumers and collecting agents’ details are confidential and will be used only for tax purposes.

    Reacting to the newly introduced device, the President of the Lagos Hoteliers’ Association, Mr. Adekunle Akilo, noted that the sensitization and training process for the effective utilization of the device should be continuous to help business owners and consumers in the hospitality industry fully embrace the technology.

    The President of the Association of Fast Food Confectioners of Nigeria, Mrs. Kehinde Kamson, said: “We will support the Lagos State government on compliance and 100% remittance. However, the government through its agency, LIRS should create a level-playing ground for all levels of business in the hospitality industry by initiating this device across the board, especially the informal sector or unstructured businesses.”

  • Nigeria, UNWTO sign agreement on CAF meeting

    Nigeria and the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) last week in Madrid, Spain, signed an agreement on the hosting of the 61st UNWTO  Commission for Africa (UNWTO CAF) Meeting between June 4 and 6, 2018 in Abuja.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, signed  for the Nigerian government, while UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili signed for the global tourism body at a ceremony at the UNWTO Headquarters in the Spanish capital.

    The agreement, the signing of which was witnessed by the Nigerian  Ambassador to Spain, Her Excellency Susan Aderonke Folarin, among others, contained the conditions for organizing the meeting as well as other details.

    Alhaji Mohammed, signed  for the Nigerian government while UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili signed for the global tourism body at a ceremony at the UNWTO Headquarters in the Spanish capital.

    Speaking at the signing, the minister said the Nigerian government  plans to use the opportunity of hosting the meeting to showcase the best  of Nigeria to the world, saying Nigeria has comparative advantage and  has taken the world by storm in the area of music, movies, theatre and other aspects of the creative industry.

    He thanked the UNWTO and its member states for their confidence in giving Nigeria the hosting right for the meeting and said the country would host a top-class event.

    ”Nigeria does not take the confidence for granted and will not disappoint. In this regard, the meeting’s main organizing committee, as well as the sub-committees, are leaving no stone unturned to stage a highly-successful meeting.

    ”All delegates coming to Nigeria for the meeting are assured of  Nigeria’s legendary warm hospitality and an exposition of the  country’s sight and sound. We will showcase the best of our entertainment industry that has taken the world by storm,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

    The minister said the hosting of the meeting is coming at a time that Nigeria has become a top destination for investors, especially with the Nigerian stocks having risen 12% this year, the highest globally, and the fact that Nigeria has moved up 24 places on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, earning a place on the List of Top 10  in the world.

    He also said Nigeria has started implementing visa on arrival for a  certain category of foreign visitors, a development that he assured will impact positively on the country’s tourism sector.

    Welcoming the minister earlier, the UNWTO Secretary-General said the  organization would assist Nigeria to develop and showcase its tourist attractions.

    ”We are glad we are coming to Nigeria in the summer. It is a good opportunity to showcase Nigeria,” he said, while urging the minister to  help identify Nigerian celebrities who can be appointed as the UNWTO’s ambassadors of tourism. The delegations of the minister and the Secretary-General later met to review the agenda of the 61st CAF Meeting, the UNWTO’s forthcoming Technical Support Mission to Nigeria and other issues related to tourism development in Nigeria.

  • ITP set for transport summit

    ITP set for transport summit

    The preparation for the first Institute of Tourism Professionals’ National Tourism Transport Summit  and Expo is in full swing as the event  has got the endorsement of key ministries parastatals and agencies of government.

    Among the agencies that have endorsed the event included: the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), the Nigerian Hospitality Institute (NIHOTOUR), the Federal Road Safety Corporation (FRSC) and many others.

    The National Tourism Transport Summit and Expo is expected to take place between April 30 and May this year at Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

    Approved by the 15th National Council on Transportation (NCT), and having the MDAs and the Tourism Industry Business Membership Organisations as tourism industry strategic partners, the summit is the combined tourism and transportation industries event anchored by the Institute for Tourism Professionals (ITP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation.

    Speaking on the event, the ITP President, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, said: “Tourism and transport connectivity are critical issues relating to bridging transport and tourism policies, while reaffirming the need for developing programmes of inter-ministerial co-operation between bodies responsible for tourism and transport so as to improve and strengthen the basic conditions for the sustainable development of both industries.

    “The National Tourism Transport Summit is created to deliberate on the complex relationship between transport provision and tourism in boosting the economy of both sectors.

    “It is predicted that transportation and tourism will be one of the world’s highest growing sectors in the new century, the National Tourism Transport Summit and Expo is an annual event created to build strong synergy between the two industries. We expect to host over 800 national and international cross sectoral participants from tourism and transportation industry.”

    The event consists of Tourism Transport Summit,Tourism Transport Training,Exhibition-B2B and G2B sessions,Tourism Transport Ambassadors Award and The Gala Night.

    He said the event offers a unique opportunity to meet with regulators, decision makers, influencers, specifiers, and investors to showcase and market  their services to more than 1000 relevant and highly engaged delegates from aviation, maritime, railways, airport operations, road transportation, national and international travel, aviation, and mass transportation organisations, including operators in the tourism and hospitality value chain.

  • CitiHeight hosts event planners

    CitiHeight hosts event planners

    CitiHeight Luxury Hotel, one of the leading hospitality outfits in Lagos, recently played host to event planners under the aegis of the Association of Professional Party Planners and Events Managers of Nigeria (APPOEMN) aimed at getting the association familiar with the hotel’s facilities.   It was a corporate evening cocktail of refreshment and networking for the members of the association.

    While speaking on the event, the Chairman of the hotel, Mr.  Femi Talabi said it was part of the effort of the hotel to get different segments of the business community to be familiar with the facilities and offerings of the hotel.

    He said: “We decided sometimes last year that we need to have some industry receptions for some players in some specific industry. Today, we are holding it for some event planners. It is critical to us because these are people we work with.

    “By the time we sell the hotel to them, they, of course, take it and sell to their own clients.   So, we believe we need to work closely with them. That is exactly the idea behind this reception.

    “This place is becoming to be known now more for marriages and  also pre-wedding events. Nearly every weekend now, we host pre-wedding events; people would like to come in, take pictures within the reception area, and we have a whole floor that is usually dedicated to the couples and the families as well.

    “They will come in and have a taste of our hospitality. Of course, those floors, sixth and seventh floors are totally blocked to other guests. There are dedicated security personnel placed there.”

    Talabi used the opportunity to speak on an innovative communication facility the hotel has introduced for all the in-house guests.

    He said: “The latest thing that we have done is to introduce a phone that is called Handy. It is first of all unique in Nigeria. We are the first hotel in the country as a whole to use it.    If you check into your room here, you have one of the phones available to you. The advantage of that is that if you check and pick the phone, you can make calls immediately. You can make calls locally and also internationally. And you know the good thing about it: it is totally free.   You don’t pay anything. No call charges; no roaming fees; it is totally free.

    “You can use it also to make calls within the hotel like an intercom to place orders or any other thing you want to do.  You can also use the phone for your social media; the internet is free on it as well. CitiHeight  is the first and the only one as we speak today, to offer such facility.”

    The hotel’s boss promised that the management would continue to sustain and maintain the standard  it has set for itself: “we are not totally new in this business. We have been in this business for thirteen years.  We started in Abuja. We have one in Lekki  and here we are now. So, what it takes. Thank God we have been able to sustain those hotels till now , so we can only continue to improve . I have heard people tell us that ‘ah, this hotel that looks nice to sustain like a boutique hotel, how are you going to sustain the hotel?’ I told them that when we started about one year and two months ago, some people who even went on the net to post it, that they hoped that we would be able to sustain the place. I told them that we would. Thank God it is more than a year now, we are even improving on the standard.

    “Outside the wedding we host top corporate events. We have a lot of companies, blue chips companies for that matter,  that hold their board meetings, annual general meetings, trainings and of course conferences. It is substantially a business hotel.”

  • Dubai set for Food Festival

    Dubai’s annual citywide culinary celebration, Dubai Food Festival (DFF), will hold from next week to March 10. Visitors to Dubai will enjoy  enticing events, activities and promotions across the city.

    Back for its fifth edition, the 17-day programme showcases the variety of dining options available across Dubai and provides an opportunity for foodies to try some of the best gastronomic experiences the city has to offer.

    Residents and visitors alike are invited to grab a plate and tuck in: whether an exquisite gourmet at one of Dubai’s finest restaurants, a delicious meal from a new food concept at the beach, or a snack at a small eatery they’ve not heard about yet. The celebration of food will come to life with a whole host of tasty events across the city, including the trendy street nights, family-friendly Kite Festival, or the culinary star-studded Taste of Dubai.

    Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) and organisers of the festival, said: “Dubai Food Festival has been instrumental in establishing Dubai as a culinary destination both within the region and across the world, and we are delighted to celebrate its fifth edition this year. From luxury dining to food trucks, local Emirati delicacies to a world of flavours. Dubai Food Festival has it all, and we look forward to bringing together people from across different cultures and tastes – all in the name of food.”

    With celebrations taking place all over the city, Dubai Food Festival brings back key highlights, including Etisalat Beach Canteen, Dubai Restaurant Week, Hidden Gems and Dine & Win promotion.

    The festival’s flagship event returns this year and will be located Jumeirah Beach behind Sunset Mall, serving up delicious food and exciting activities for the entire family. The free-to-attend beachside hang-out will run through the duration of the festival and is set to welcome new home-grown restaurants such as Bait Maryam and Zapiekanka as well as Poke Poke; Hub 1833; and Nablus, known for its artisan Kanafeh.

    Budding chefs can brush up on their cooking skills at different masterclasses at Etisalat Beach Canteen, while those looking to find their inner zen can take part in morning XYoga sessions followed by a delightful breakfast by the beach.

    Adding to the bustling atmosphere at the beachside location is a line-up of quirky food trucks like Maiz Tacos, fun activities for little ones, live music and comedy shows.

    The Etisalat Beach Canteen also serves as a festival hub, selling tickets to all key Dubai Food Festival events, as well as providing visitors with more information on the 17-day programme.

    This year’s Beach Canteen is sponsored by Etisalat, along with Citibank as a key sponsor, and Mai Dubai and L’Occitane as support sponsors.

  • Kebbi governor appoints tourism adviser to bring back Argungu

    Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has appointed Turakin Kebbi, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, as Senior Special Assistant on Tourism Matters, with a clear mandate to restructure and rebrand the Argungu Fishing Festival into a notable world-class cultural event.

    The festival, on global tourism calendar, brought fame and honour to Nigeria nay Kebbi State, but disappeared completely from the global cultural watch list due to unexplainable circumstances, thereby denying Kebbi State the needed tourism dollars and to the people, access to foreign investments on hospitality and loss of jobs.

    Indeed, the governor’s choice and appointment of Alhaji Kangiwa to revamp the festival and the entire tourism architecture of the state sign- post a fresh start off for the famous festival, which at its height, was Nigeria’s face of culture tourism to the world.

    Alhaji Kangiwa, a prince of the Kebbi Emirate Kingdom and a frontline tourism investor, has hit the ground running with key projects that would create signature influence on the about-to-be rebranded festival, beginning with critical assessment of other special cultural offerings in the state.

    In a press release issued in Lagos by Frank Meke, the tourism media coordinator to Alhaji Kangiwa, the comeback bid of Argungu Fishing Festival would add a fresh flip to the desire to open up the cultural offerings of northern Nigeria to which Kebbi State was once a notable tourism destination, attracting both foreign and local visitors in droves not only to witness the fishing festival, but to appreciate the state’s huge basin as agriculture wonderland.

    According to Alhaji Kangiwa, “the Lake Rice produced in Kebbi State in which Lagos State is a major investor, is an indication to the fact that Kebbi would also leverage on this window to open up a special tour to the state on agricultural offerings and a greet-and-meet project at the Emir’s Palace for visitors to appreciate our tradition and hospitality”.

  • FTAN celebrates, honours members

    FTAN celebrates, honours members

    The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) will mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of the creation of the association by the Federal Government. As part of the activities to mark the anniversary, the FTAN will be honouring some individuals that have contributed to the development of the federation.

    Tourism was under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the then Minister of Commerce and Industry, Rear Admiral Sunday Areola, decided to set up a committee to look into the formation of an umbrella body for tourism in the country. The committee was headed by Mrs. Theresa Ezeobi and Mr. Jemi Alade was the secretary.

    Mr. Jemi Alade spoke on why the FTAN was formed: “There were so many associations. Everybody was approaching the government for one thing or the other. The minister saw the need for these tourism activities to be co-ordinated and to bring the practitioners together under one umbrella to approach government with one voice instead different tourism associations all approaching government at the same time.

    “The committee sat and worked with interested parties and agreed on having a federation.  This inaugural meeting was held in Abuja at the office of the then permanent secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Tukur Mani Tukur Mani.

    He had so much passion for tourism and was the one pushing the government to put the industry in order. About ten associations were among the initial members. They were: the National Association of Travel Agencies (NANTA), Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Nigerian Hoteliers Association (NHA), Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET), Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), National Association of Tourism Boat Operators and Water Transporters (NATBOWAT) and a few others.”

    Speaking also on the creation of the association,  veteran travel writer and columnist, Mr. Frank Meke, went down memory lane to narrate how the FTAN came into existence.

    He said: “The FTAN was created about 20 years ago to serve as a formidable body to represent the different private sector tourism associations. The industry was growing and there was a need to form an all- embracing federation that would cater for members and  interface with the federal government.

    “Among those present at the inaugural meeting were Mrs. Theresa Ezeobi, Mr. Tarzan Balogun, Mr. Jemi Alade, Prince  Ayo Oresajo, Mr. Keshinro, Dr. Frank Adejuwon, myself and some others. The meeting that gave birth to the association was held at Alhaji Tukur Mani’s office. Mrs. Theresa Ezeobi became the interim president, while Mr. Jemi Alade was the secretary.”

    The current FTAN President, Alhaji Karim Saleh Rabo, while speaking on the 20th anniversary, said it was very important for the federation to mark the milestone. He said the association was very mindful of the roles the individuals to be honoured played in the association and it was just proper that they should be recognized at this auspicious occasion.

    The awards are in three categories: Among those to be honoured in the ‘A’ category  are:  Rear Admiral Isaac Sunday Areola,  Alhaji Tukur Mani,   Mrs. Theresa Ezeobi,  Dr. Franklin Adejunwon,  Mr. Goodie Minabo Ibru, Mr. Charles Abel,  Chief Mike Amachree, Alhaji Wada Yinusa,  Chief Tarzan Balogun,  Chief Frank Nneji, Mr. Ogbeni Tope-Awe, Mr. Jemi Alade, Alhaji Munzali Dantata, Otunba Segun Runsewe, Chief Samuel  Alabi,  Chief Tomi Akingbogun,  Mr. Ikechi Ukoh, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Mr. Charles Ukomadu.

    Category ‘B’ award recipients are ‘corporate friends’ of the  FTAN. They include:   Eko Hotel and Suites, Sheraton Hotel,   Hotel Rosebud and  Nanet Suites.

    The ‘C’ category of awardees are the post humus awards for service to the FTAN. Receipeints include: the late Mr.   Matts Ebaboje Da’Silva,  the late Dr. Kingsley Onuoha, the late Apagun Oluwole Olumide, and   the late Madam Grace  Bentu.

  • Nigeria Travel Awards: NTDC DG, others appointed judges

    The Organising Committee of the Nigeria Travel Awards by  Jumia Travel has announced the appointment of Folorunsho Coker, the Director General (DG), Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), as a jury member for the 2nd edition of the Awards.

    Others include Michael Balogun, CEO Tour2Nigeria; Babatunde Onibudo, MD Pearlwort Hotel; and Omolara Adagunodo, MD, Jumia Travel.

    The jury’s decision will contribute 5 per cent  of the outcome, while the other 50 per cent will be from the public through a voting process.

    Meanwhile, the award ceremony which was slated for last Thursday,  January 25 was postponed to Thursday, February 1, 2018. According to the Head of PR & Marketing for Jumia Travel, Olukayode Kolawole, the change of date will provide ample time for more people to vote.

    There are seven award categories which are: Customers’ Favourite Hotel 2017, Customers’ Favourite International Airline Company 2017, Best Destination Website 2017, Jumia Travel’s Booking Award 2017, Traveler’s Choice Hotel 2017, Best Leisure Hotel in Nigeria 2017 and Best Business Hotel in Nigeria 2017

    The nominees for the Customers Favourite Awards are: Ibis Hotel Ikeja; Golden Tulip Festac; Federal Palace Hotel and Casino; Southern Sun Hotel and Towers; Owu Crown Hotels; Greatwood Hotels Ltd; Newland Luxury Apartments; Citiheight Hotels; Pearlwort Hotel and Suites; Southern Sun Ikoyi; and Park Inn by Radisson.

    The nominees for the Customers’ Favourite International Airline are: British Airways; Turkish Airlines; Ethiopian Airlines; Air France; Etihad; Emirates; Egypt Air; and Rwandair.

    The nominees for the Customers’ Favourite Local Airline are: Medview Airlines; Dana Airline; Arik Air; Air Peace; Azman Air; Overland Air; and Aero.

    The nominees for the Best Travel Blog/Website are: TVP Adventures; Unravelling Nigeria; Travel With A Pen; EatTechTravel; Social Prefect; Irinajo; Naija Adventures; Khalid, The Workaholic; and Naijanomads.

  • The Envoy Hotel by Mantis Abuja begins operation

    The Envoy Hotel by Mantis Abuja begins operation

    The Nigerian hospitality industry is set to welcome a new and unique entrant into the burgeoning Abuja hotel market as The Envoy Hotel By Mantis Abuja opens its door to the discerning guests on March 5.

    The new hotel, which is developed by Hometel Developers Limited and managed by Mantis Collection, a South African-based hotel group, is well-situated on the exclusive Diplomatic Drive that hosts many embassies and international agencies in Abuja including the United States of America. It offers 59 well-appointed rooms comprising of 50 Luxury Suites, four Diplomatic Suites, four VIP Suites and one Presidential Suite.

    However, the five-star hotel is scaling up service and facility offerings with its high-end guests in mind; hence it brings to the table a world class service culture and uncompromised attention to security amid its serene environment.

    Beyond the cozy rooms, other facilities on offer in the hotel include; a 36-seater Larai Restaurant with continental cuisines, assorted bars such at the pool, lounge and terrace, swimming pool, a pro-fit gym, lounge on every floor, complimentary underground parking and valet service, fibre-optic WiFi, 24-hour security and an iPad for the first time in any Nigerian hotel, among others.

    Nestled within the business hub on Diplomatic Drive, the new hotel is going to be the new address for meetings with its advanced business facilities comprising of a business centre, meeting rooms of various sizes, secretarial services, audio visual equipment, iPads, and fibre-optic WiFi.