The Nation Newspaper

Category: Travels on Saturday

  • Swiss International opens in Nairobi

    The Swiss International Hotels and Resorts has opened for business in Lenana, the heart of the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi. The signing of the management agreement with Nairobi based China Zhong Tian Investment Limited, took place recently.

    With Swiss International Lenana Nairobi, the global chain has further consolidated its presence on the African continent, with a second hotel to open in Kenya.

    The newly built Swiss International Lenana hotel is an upscale hotel, with 133 rooms and suites located on Ralph Bunche Road, an area known for its close proximity to the Central Business District (CBD) and a number of government offices and embassies.

    The hotel is strategically situated overlooking the city center of Nairobi and next to the Department of Defense, which is encompassed by the Kenyan army and police, making the area safe and secure.

    Additionally, the hotel will offer an Inspirations Pool& Gym, a Swiss Select Lounge, and a number of meetings and events venues. The hotel has 11 floors and an underground parking lot.

    The Swiss International is carefully designed, ensuring memorable experiences for both leisure and business guests with the best in class comfort.

    Mr. Xiaohu Wei, Managing Director of the owning company, China Zhong Tian Investment Limited, said, “After a careful search for the right hospitality partner, we were taken by the very strong commitment of Swiss International. We have plans to expand with additional hotels in East Africa and we wanted to be sure our partner would be committed and reliable. With Swiss International, we see a long-term partnership.

    “Nairobi is an exciting city and we are pleased to be able to formally introduce the Swiss International Lenana Hotel in the city. Collaborating with Swiss International worked the best for us because of the brand’s active participation and experience in the African market.

    Furthermore, Swiss International rightly balances the local African flavour with the international

    quality standards.”

  • Ethiopian Airlines vows to stand by Nigeria

    AT a period when many international airlines operating in Nigeria are reconsidering their activities, while some are even withdrawing from the country,  the management of Ethiopian Airlines has restated its commitment to the country by vowing to stick with the country through its difficult economy period.

    Speaking during a press briefing at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos to celebrate the airline’s 70th anniversary this week, the Country Area Manager Nigeria, Solomon Begashaw, said the airline has no plan or reason to leave the country because it consider itself as a Nigerian carrier.

    Begashaw said:  ”As a veteran Pan-African carrier, it has always been our source of pride to serve our beloved continent, Africa, both in good and bad times. Our presence in Nigeria dates back to the 1960’s, same time the Federal Republic of Nigeria got independence. Ethiopian has been part of Nigeria’s historic growth and always considers itself as a partner in the history and growth of Nigeria as a country. Hence, the Management of Ethiopian Airlines wishes to clarify its stance of pursuing its operation to Nigeria and keep Nigerian travelers connected to five continents around the globe.

    “As an indigenous Pan-African Carrier, Ethiopian airlines will remain with the Nigerian public in good and bad times like it has always done in the past 50 years. Ethiopian has been in the highs and lows of Nigeria; all through the crisis periods of Nigeria and also during the last Economic crisis, providing the link between Nigeria and the outside world there by showing its African solidarity.”

    According to him, Ethiopian Airlines currently serves the Nigerian traveler from the four airports of Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Kano.

    “To reinforce its support to Nigeria; Ethiopian is offering to hire Nigerian pilots for its ever growing fleet of B777,B787,B737 and Dash 8 Q-400 Aircraft, train more Nigerians in its Aviation academy, which is the largest in Africa. Besides, Ethiopian Airlines had always served Nigeria with the best Aircraft in its fleet, like the A350 Airbus, B787 Dreamliner and the B777 wide body.

    “In the Spirit of African brotherhood, Ethiopian Airlines does not wish to be in Nigeria only when the going is good, but rather, make sacrifices along with Nigerians in this trying time, knowing that Nigerians are resilient and resourceful and will soon come out of the temporary recession.”

    He said the vision of Ethiopian airline is to be the leading aviation group in Africa, notinmg that the airline is a four star airline that offers five star services.

    “The success of Ethiopian Airlines is predicated on the well-dedicated staff and management working round the clock to meet customers’ expectations. The airline has no direct government intervention, as it is run by board of directors,” he said.

    The country area manager Nigeria stated that the airline is open to partnership with local Nigerian carriers.

    He added that Ethiopian Airlines consists of seven groups like Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, Catering and Ground Handling services among others, with the biggest aviation academy in Africa that trains 4000 aviation personnel per annum.

    Begashaw disclosed that the airline has a cordial working relationship with Nigerian authorities.

    As the Airline celebrates 70 years of existence, the airline has extended free tickets to Nigerians who liked Ethiopian Airlines Nigeria Facebook page.

  • Dubai returns to Nigeria for Akwaaba

    Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) will be at this year’s Akwaaba African Travel Market, billed to hold between tomorrow and Tuesday next week.

    This, according to the department, is to continue the city’s commitment to the African market.

    In its second consecutive year of participation, Dubai Tourism is set to highlight the latest additions to the city’s entertainment destinations and shopping experiences for African travelers in the coming months. Ten partners, including Emirates Airlines, Emirates Holidays, IMG Worlds of Adventure, North Tours, Red Apple Middle East Tourism, Time Hotels, Hilton Hotels, All In One Tourism, Alpha Tours and Arabian Falcon Holidays, will join Dubai Tourism at their stand for the event.

    The African continent continues to be a strong source market for visitors to Dubai. Nigeria, in particular, was amongst the top 20 source markets in 2015, with more than 127,000 overnight visitors arriving in the city.

    Strengthening its place as the preferred destination for African travelers, Dubai Tourism aims to use Africa’s premier travel trade show as a platform to showcase Dubai’s ever-expanding family entertainment venues and retail sector.

    Speaking ahead of the event, Stella Obinwa, Regional Director Africa for Dubai Tourism, said: “Dubai continues to establish itself as a destination of choice for travelers from the African continent, holding particular appeal amongst those looking for wholesome family fun, incredible shopping deals and year-long entertainment. This year, we want to showcase Dubai’s newest additions to its family entertainment and shopping venues, which are set to welcome visitors from around the globe.”

    As Dubai progresses towards becoming the world’s number one family holiday destination, one of the key activations at the trade show will include the world’s largest indoor theme park, IMG Worlds of Adventure.

    Opened to the public in August 2016, the 1.5 million square foot, temperature-controlled indoor space offers year-round fun for all ages  spread across four themed zones: Cartoon Network, Lost Valley Dinosaur Adventure, MARVEL and IMG Boulevard.

    Also, the Dubai Parks and Resorts is expected to open its doors to the public soon.

  • Badagry visitors’ bureau unveils plans

    Badagry visitors’ bureau unveils plans

    IN an effort to boost the profile of the ancient town of Badagry as a tourism and investment destination, the Badagry Convention and Visitors Bureau has unveiled plans for the Badagry Economic Summit and the Lagos Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference, among other events lined up to promote and market the rich heritage of Badagry in 2017.

    The development, noted the bureau, would help reposition Badagry as a tourism destination in Lagos.

    Speaking during the monthly Forum of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) at NANTA Secretariat  in Lagos recently, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Badagry Convention and Visitors Bureau, and former permanent secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Dr Ashamu Sewanu Fadipe, said the bureau has also concluded arrangements to organise the Igbo Art and Culture International Festival and the Yoruba Conference Series in 2017 in Badagry.

    He said that the bureau is set to market Badagry as a tourism destination to the rest of the world and to serve as a focal point for coordination of all tourism activities in Badagry.

    He pointed out that the convention and visitors bureau is found in other developed countries of the world, hence the establishment of the Badagry Convention and Visitors Bureau.

    The aim is to make Badagry a destination and create programmes that will make Badagry worth visiting and investing in, Dr Ashamu explained.

    He listed other functions of the bureau to include provision of services that will enhance the quality of visitors’ experience, providing leadership in expanding tourism opportunities in Badagry, generating economic activities through visitors’ spending for the people of Badagry and environs, serving as catalyst and facilitator for tourism infrastructure development, serving as a clearing house for all hospitality establishment in Badagry, attracting investment opportunities to Badagry and encouraging visitors to enjoy the ambience of natural, cultural and historical sites, including the hospitality of the people of Badagry.

    Fadipe disclosed that the bureau is a Public Private Partnership arrangement with the Badagry Local Government.

    He explained that the Badagry Economic Summit is expected to bring together stakeholders in the Badagry economy to find ways of making Badagry the next economic hub in Lagos State, adding that speakers and investors are expected to deliver papers in the area of tourism, seaport development, logistics parks, oil sector and hospitality development.

    On the Lagos Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference, the MD/CEO of the Badagry Convention and Visitors Bureau noted that the state of Lagos is overdue for annual hotel and tourism conference.

    “The theme for this conference scheduled for 24th and 25th of August, next year, is making Lagos the preferred hospitality and tourism hub in Africa. The purpose of this important conference is to further create awareness about the industry and bring visitors and investors not only to Badagry, but as well as the state. Speakers have started showing interest. Discussions will centre on areas which are not limited to the development of business tourism in Lagos State, challenges of tour operators in Lagos State, tourism and immigration services, Nigerian experience, eco-tourism development which way for Epe and Badagry axis,” Fadipe said.

    He stated that the Igbo Art and Culture Festival is scheduled for 28th and 30th of April 2017 in the ancient city of Badagry.

    He said: ”Our main focus is to bring as many visitors as possible to Badagry. This festival is expected to showcase different Igbo culture and traditions to the delight of the visitors. We have commenced preparations for the festival.”

    He added that the Yoruba Conference Series is a unique opportunity for the Yoruba to come together to deliberate on their history for subsequent generations.

  • Ayade reappoints Uko as carnival consultant

    Ayade reappoints Uko as carnival consultant

    THE governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade, has re-appointed travel expert, Mr Ikechi Uko, as consultant for the international aspect of the carnival.

    The move is part of efforts to re-position Carnival Calabar as the number one event in Africa.

    Mr Ikechi Uko, who is the team leader of Team Africa, is also the organiser of the Akwaaba African Travel Market.

    He was appointed last year by Governor Ayade to help create the international version of the carnival.

    No fewer than 11 countries participated at the last edition of the festival which was deemed successful.

    Based on the success of last year’s event, the governor re-appointed Mr Uko to grow the event in 2016 with a mandate to bring more countries to the biggest street party in Africa.

    The 2016 edition of the carnival is expected to be bigger and better as last year’s event was the first carnival organised by the governor.

    The Bikers Day has also been slated for December 27, with over 10, 000 bikers expected to participate in the major biking showpiece in West Africa.

    December 28 is the main draw, which is the Street Carnival. Last year’s event had over 2.5million visitors in the city for the party.

    The international carnival, which will hold on December 29, is expected to grow bigger than last year’s maiden edition.

    Already the Carnival Commission has inked an MoU with the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) to promote this year’s event globally with three- and five-day packages for tourists.

    The chairman of the carnival commission, Mr Gabe Onah, said that the arrangement with NATOP will complete the product and make it available to more families to visit and enjoy the fun.

    He pointed out that the satellite TV channel, Nickelodeon, will debut this year at Tinapa to further excite the children.

    The president of NATOP, Mr Nkereuwem Onung, has praised Carnival Calabar for reaching out to professionals to market the biggest tourism product in Nigeria to the world.

    He promised that NATOP members would soon launch packages for people to sign on for this year’s carnival.

  • FTAN prepares for tourism investment forum

    FTAN prepares for tourism investment forum

    THE Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) is set for the 2016 Nigerian Tourism Investors Forum (NTIFE) scheduled to hold on November 29 and 30 in Abuja. The theme for this year’s edition is Tourism: Tool for Economic Recovery and Development.

    The NTIFE will bring together experts in the travel and tourism trade to deliberate and make recommendations to both the private and public sectors. Federal and state governments’ agencies involved in travel and tourism are also expected to participate in the deliberation.

    The forum, according FTAN, offers opportunity for the promotion of Nigeria as a tourist destination. Through the opportunities for exhibition during the two-day event, private sector practitioners, states and agencies of the federal government are offered opportunities to showcase their tourism products and potentials and be able to meet with potential investors in tourism.

    Also during the event, issues affecting the growth and development of tourism in the country are brought to the fore, with experts and practitioners offering solution on the way forward.

    It will also bring together investors in travel and tourism and policy makers from the public sector to a platform for meaningful discussions on the development of the sector.

    NTIFE, according to FTAN, has become even more important now that the federal government has identified domestic tourism as one of the avenues for poverty alleviation. This, it says, has become imperative given the fact that tourism is one of the world’s largest industries, generating an estimated 11 per cent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    The industry employs about 200 million people and annually transports nearly 700 million people. This, the organiser says, is what the NTIFE would the government achieve.

    NTIFE, organisers say, will help the government harness the full tourism potentials of the country in the quest to diversify the economy.

    Speaking on the this year’s NTIFE, the chairman of the committee for the forum, Otunba Ayo Olumoko, said this year’s event would be an improvement on past editions, as it was the first time FTAN is setting up a committee with a mandate to organise the forum. He said the gesture has brought a certain level of professionalism that the committee has the duty of sources for fund, bringing in corporate participation and reaching out to different states. He said this year’s NTIFE would witness greater participation for the public and private sector.

    On the format that the forum would take, Olumoko said participants would have opportunity to exhibit their products and services. There would also be cultural presentations from states and groups.

  • ANTP to perform at Olojo Festival

    THE Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has set the stage for his first celebration of the annual Ile-Ife traditional Olojo Festival aimed at boosting the nation’s tourism-generated income. He has given the nod to the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) to perform at the festival.

    At the three-day Olojo Festival 2016 tagged, ‘Community Festivals: a veritable avenue for boosting domestic tourism’ in December, there will be a command drama performance from foremost Yoruba dramatic artistes under ANTP.

    Oba Ogunwus said that theatre artistes are moral teachers saddled with the responsibility of moulding character, shaping lives and bringing lasting peace to the society through their lesson-filled drama stories.

    Addressing the artistes in his palace where they had gone to introduce the association’s newly elected officers as directed by him, the Ooni said the artistes should focus on unity and selflessness towards harnessing their rich potentials without leaving room for pirates to take undue advantage of their collective and individual works.

    The ancient belief of the Ifa oral tradition is that the Aare crown is very heavy and it is believed that the Ooni of Ife is spiritually empowered to wear it during the Olojo Festival, as the crown is too heavy for him to bear on any other day.

    Appreciating the Ooni, National President of the Association, Chief Jimoh Aliu (MFR), said that the ANTP would always partner with local and foreign counterparts to contribute its quota to the uplift of Nigeria’s tourism industry. He added that ANTP is ready for cultural exchange programmes with other countries to create awareness on “our rich culture and tradition via stage performance and film exhibitions.”

    Besides the national president, the new officers as introduced to the Ooni are: Deputy President, Rasak Oyadiran, Vice President (North), Mariam Aponbepore Bakare, Vice President (South), Biodun Adekanbi, General Secretary, Alhaji Yahaya Adetunji, Treasurer, Bola Obot, Financial Secretary, Adewale Elesho, Internal Auditor, Bolanle Adeniran, Organising Secretary, Olanrewaju Ayodele, Publicity Secretary, Benjamin Adekunle, Welfare Officer, Fatimah Afunku, Chief Whip, Tajudeen Gbadamosi, Ex-Officio, Salaudeen Azeez.

    The national appointments are: Chief Special Adviser, Alhaji Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande), Special Adviser (Special Duties), Chief Oyewole Olowomojuore (Baba Gebu), Special Adviser (Screen Craft), Chief Eddie Ugboma, Special Adviser, (Stage Craft), Prof. Kola Oyewo, Special Adviser (Inter Association Matters), Prince Saheed Balogun, Special Adviser (Media), Chief (Mrs) Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu, Patron & Chief Legal Adviser, Chief Afe Babalola, Special Adviser, (Legal Matters),Barr. Femi Falana,ANTP Lawyers, Barrs. Olawale Omoloye, Abdul-Hameed Gambari, Ag. Chairman, Elders Council, Chief Oluseyi Adelesi, National Director, ANTP Troupe, Prince Jare Adeniregun and National Choreographer, Akeem Ogunde

  • Food festival creates hub for Lagos flavours

    ON October 2 and 3, 2016, inhabitants of Lagos gathered by the ocean front of the famous Bar Beach on Victoria Island to dine, wine, make merry and enjoy themselves as if they looked forward to the event all their lives.

    The celebration and excitement experienced in the two days by the crowd that gathered at the One Lagos Food Festival confirmed that the festival created a hub for flavours of Lagos. “So Lagosians love food?”asked a Chief Executive Officer of a new generation bank as he stepped out of his Range Rover car at the venue.

    For sightseers and tourists alike, there was much to learn of the various foods enjoyed by the people of Lagos, while for the business-minded, multiples of newly created processed foods, recipes and food discoveries waiting to be invested on were on display.

    Food lovers, food technologists, food connoisseurs and investors milled about the ocean front chewing, drinking, making small talk and dancing to the music of popular aritstes on the huge band stand on the ocean front.

    Yasmin Tukur, who owns Arewa Pot Limited, one of the food outlets at the festival, said: “One Lagos Food Festival has been able to showcase not just the flavours of Lagos, but also the flavour of Nigeria.

    “You can see that this festival showcases the rich culture and diversity of Nigerian cuisine and delicacies. The music has also been attractive as it has turned this place to a social networking place too. So you do not just buy, but sit to eat and enjoy yourself with friends. I try to be ethnic as possible, because we have so much culture and food to offer.”

    The festival also witnessed entertainment and live cooking demonstrations at the exhibition stands of some of the corporate organisations in attendance. There were wine and champagne hosting, international food pavilion and favourite Nigerian suya and barbecue stands as well.

    Enthusiasts came all out for the experience. Also at the event was the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Folarin Coker, who mixed freely among the Lagos crowd and foreign nationals at the festival.

    Mr Coker said: “The festival, as an event, is to raise national awareness about Nigerian foods. It was also planned to promote the production of food locally, encourage healthy eating, celebrate socialisation and promote Lagos amongst other benefits.”

  • Ambode to open Epe’s KayoKayo Festival next week

    Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, will next weekend lead top dignitaries to declare open the Kayokayo Festival, a historical and highly revered religious gathering of the Epe people. The one week festival, the traditional melting pot of Epe Indigenes, and a baby of Oba Shafiu Olatunji Adewale, Bamgbopa Eshilokun, the Olu Epe of Epe Kingdom, is an annual celebration of the historical arrival of Prince Kosoko, a famous Lagos King, to the Epe Kingdom in 1851.

    The festival, which places a lot of religious importance on its tourism value chain, is seen by the people of the town which incidentally is the home town of Governor Ambode, as a look-alike arrival of Noah of the bible.

    Chairman Kayokayo 2016 Organising Committee Alhaji (Chief) Shakiru Alade Okule explained that the 2016 festival will be celebrated to open the Epe historical kingdom to the tourism dreams of Lagos State government, adding that the week-long event would keep tourists on their toes with Oganla exponent, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, to drive the entertainment content.

    Other key contents of the KayoKayo festival include prayer outing, or Tahjud, at the Epe Central Mosque next Friday, a Quranic competition, a replica of the water voyage of King Kosoko, a youth rally, children’s party, royal visit by the Oba to the districts of Epe founding fathers, royal procession on the Lagoon beach and the Kayokayo Musical Night.

  • Tourism, creative industry ‘new oil’, says Lai Mohammed

    Tourism, creative industry ‘new oil’, says Lai Mohammed

    THE Minister of Information, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that tourism is very important for Nigeria in the prevailing period of economic diversification as it, with the creative industries, represents the new oil for the nation’s economy. He described tourism as the low-hanging fruit that the nation could develop to help  the economy fight recession.

    He made the statement during the national celebration of the World Tourism Day (WTD) in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos. He said: “As the federal government works day and night to pull Nigeria out of recession and put our economy on the path of sustainable growth, it is becoming increasingly clear, like President Muhammadu Buhari admonished, that we must think out of the box. We must find other sustainable means of earning foreign exchange outside of oil, to grow our country’s GDP and create jobs for our people. Agriculture and mining are viable options but tourism is the low-hanging fruit in this regard, and we must not hesitate to pluck it.”

    Speaking on the Eko Atlantic City, the minister said: “The venue we have chosen for this year’s celebration, Eko Atlantic City, attests to this fact. While I will like to reiterate Nigeria’s readiness to explore and exploit tourism for the benefit of its economy, I can confidently add that Eko Atlantic City has what it takes to drive tourism in Nigeria. And this is just as well, because while the role of the government will be to provide the enabling environment, the private sector will drive the growth of tourism. This is a win-win model for the government and the private sector, and I commend Eko Atlantic for being in the forefront of actualising this mode.

    “For those who may not know, Eko Atlantic, when completed, will be a tourist haven. The city will boast of 450, 000 residents and 300, 000 commuters, which is a boon for the myriad businesses to be located in the city. In addition, it will have a registered Free Economic Zone to encourage economic activities.

    “As you are also aware, shopping malls attract tourists the way bees are attracted to honey. The shopping mall here in Eko Atlantic will be the largest of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. The 10 million square metres of space in the city will also boast an impressive retail layout for shopping, vast amenities for entertainment such as food courts, cinemas and playgrounds, an ample parking space and a canal that can be used for water transportation and water sports.

    “Nigerians who are looking for relaxation spots and exquisite shopping malls will no longer need to jet to Dubai and similar destinations, because Eko Atlantic City will be a better destination than Dubai. This is not a joke! Whereas you can only comfortably soak in the sights and sounds of Dubai for a maximum of four months every year due to the prevailing inclement weather there, Eko Atlantic City offers, in addition to the massive shopping mall, 365 days of sunshine and clement weather.

    “This is an added incentive for foreign tourists. In short, the city will have everything you need for tourism to thrive: security, modern infrastructure, good weather, uninterrupted power supply, potable water supply, etc.”

    The World Tourism Day is an annual celebration by the United Nation’s World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) slated for September  27.