The Nation Newspaper

Category: Travels on Saturday

  • Lufthansa starts new era

    Lufthansa starts new era

    For Nigerian travellers and the travellers all over the world that patronize the German airline, Lufthansa, a chapter in their travel experience will be opened as the airline starts receiving bookings for its latest product. The product is the newly developed Premium Economy Class.

    However, even though bookings have begun, travellers would have to wait until November to experience the new product. For Nigerian travellers, it might not be long before they will experience the new products being part of the long haul routes the new products will be deployed to.

    The new premium class has comfortable new seats and up to 50 per cent more room than the economy class seats.

    Premium Economy Class was presented to the public in March during the 2014 ITB-Berlin, and many travellers are looking forward to the new product. The Premium Economy Class would initially be fitted on the airline’s  Boeing 747-8. The new seats will gradually be fitted on the entire long-haul fleet within 12 months.

    “Our Premium Economy Class will create a completely new travel experience that combines affordability with greater comfort. The seats offer up to 50 per cent more room than Economy Class and will position us in a premium segment within the international competitive environment,” said Jens Bischof, CCO & member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board in charge of Sales, Product and Marketing, during a press conference at the Lufthansa stand in Hall 25.

    The new product will enable Lufthansa to meet the requirements of many business and private passengers who travel with other airlines in a similar travel class or who fly Economy Class due to travel specifications. Following the introduction of its new full-flat Business Class, Lufthansa created a much wider gap between Economy and Business Classes. As a result, there is now room for its new Premium Economy Class, which offers considerably more space and comfort as well as many additional product features, but is closer to Economy Class than Business Class in terms of its average prices. The move also means that Lufthansa is introducing a completely new travel class for the first time in 35 years.

    “The design and features of the new seat in particular are based on extensive passenger surveys and workshops with sales partners – a process that has been successfully used at Lufthansa. Following the upgrade of our First and Business Class, the installation of 3,600 seats on all 106 of our long-haul aircraft in just one year will mean another step towards becoming a five-star airline,” continued Bischof. “We expect to see more than 1.5 million passengers per year in our new Premium Economy Class.”

    The  seats were designed in partnership with the company müller/romca Industrial Design in Kiel and produced by the seat manufacturer ZIM Flugsitz near Lake Constance. Depending on the aircraft type, they are up to 3 centimetres wider and provide greater privacy as well as approximately 10 centimetres more room at the side thanks to each seat having its own wide armrest and a centre console between the seats.

    The back rest can be reclined further and the seat pitch is a significantly more spacious 38 inches, or 97 centimetres. As a result, passengers have around one-and-a-half times as much room as Economy Class.

    The head rests can be set to the exact height desired and folded at the sides for added comfort and support. Height-adjustable foot rests from the second row back and – for technical reasons – leg supports with an integrated foot rest in the first row provide extra comfort. Practical features around the seats such as a bottle holder, electrical socket and lots of storage space for passengers’ belongings also help to ensure a relaxed and pleasant journey.

    With a baggage allowance of two items weighing up to 23 kilogrammes each, passengers can take twice as much free luggage with them compared with Economy Class. For an extra EUR 25, passengers can also enjoy the comfort of the Lufthansa Business Lounges before their departure. Lounges were previously only open to status customers and are otherwise unavailable on a paying basis.           Check-in and boarding procedures as well as hand luggage regulations are the same as in Economy Class.

    An enhanced service awaits Premium Economy passengers on board. They are greeted with a welcome drink and will find their own water bottle as well as a high-quality amenity kit with practical travel accessories at their seat. Meals are presented on menus commensurate with the new travel class and served on porcelain tableware.

    Passengers can navigate the extensive in-flight entertainment programme using their own touchscreen monitor on the seat in front of them. This can also be done using a remote control, which serves as a controller for video games as well. The screens are 11 to 12 inches (28 to 30 centimetres), which makes them at least 2 inches bigger than the screens in Economy Class, depending on the aircraft type. A wide selection of magazines and newspapers completes the range of entertainment on offer.

    Up to 52 seats, depending on aircraft type, and attractive pricing Lufthansa Premium Economy Class is located within the cabin as a clearly identifiable separate compartment between Business and Economy Class.      It has a high-quality design and contains between 21 and 52 seats, depending on the aircraft type.         Installation of the new travel class, which is to be carried out on a gradual basis, sub-fleet by sub-fleet, will start this autumn and finish in summer 2015. The first sub-fleet to be fitted with the new seats will be the Boeing 747-8.

    Ticket prices in the new Premium Economy Class will be closer to Economy Class than Business Class – a return flight across the North Atlantic or to Asia will cost an additional EUR 600 on average.

    The introduction of Premium Economy Class will complement the many improvements that Lufthansa plans to make in all classes on board and on the ground by 2015. By this point in time, the entire long-haul fleet will have the new First and Business Class – which will involve the installation of 7,000 new seats on the company’s aircraft.    Apart from the interior of the cabins, services on board and on the ground are also being enhanced. The goal is to demonstrate to an even greater degree the qualities of being a dedicated host with a keen understanding of service and hospitality.

  • FTAN forum tourism holds next month

    The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria [FTAN] in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration [FCTA] has announced that the second edition of their Tourism Investment Forum will hold next month.

    The event slated for June 10-11, 2014 will be held at the prestigious Ladi Kwali Hall of Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

    According to Chief Tomi Akingbogun, President of FTAN, the objectives of the program are to among others enable stakeholders to discuss and address some vital element towards the development and maintenance of tourism products and destinations that can induce creation of new tourism frontiers.

    Other reasons according to Akingbogun for the forum are, to showcase the potentials of the tourism sector to the economic development of Nigeria; to organize as well as to promote local tourism products and destinations to Nigerians before taking the same to the international market; and to strengthen relationship between the tourism investors and their services/product providers.

    The two-day event will include seminar and exhibition and are expected to give a new direction for the tourism industry; with participants expected from federal agencies, states, airlines, hotels, travel agents, and tour operators among others.

    Meanwhile, this year’s edition presentations will include; Developing Nigeria’s Travel and Tourism: The Kenyan Experience by the Managing Director of Kenyan Tourism Board, Travel and Tourism Contribution To Nigeria Gross Domestic Products [GDP] by the Director General of Federal Office of Statistics [FOS], Identifying Nigeria’s Tourism Products by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation and Medical Tourism: Prospect in Ondo State.

  • Tantalizers parleys final three Nigerian Idol contestants

    Tantalizers parleys final three Nigerian Idol contestants

    Tantalizer Plc. Nigerian leading quick servicerestaurant chain and official food partner of the ongoing Season 4 Nigerian Idol project, interacted with the final three contstants at its Adetokunbo Ademola, Victoria Island, Lagos outlet on Sunday May 25.

    The final three contestants, which are Evelle, Eye D and Elvis Jay with the crew of the OMG/ Idol team, created time out of their busy schedule to parley with Tantalizers management and staff and their ever-ecstatic fans. It was indeed a bubbling and excited group knowing full well that the final coveted prizes are only a few days away. They are geared to put in more effort in the final stages to impress fans and thereby garner more votes.

    At the event, the Managing Director/CEO of Tantalizers Plc, Mrs Bose Ayeni, who was very happy to be in attendance, lauded the OMG/Idol team for bringing the franchise to Nigeria. The bold initiative will assist in projecting the talents of the Nigerian youths and keep them off the streets. She further stated that Tantalizer decided to partner the OMG group because of its belief in Nigerian youths and the enormous capability inherent in them as leaders of tomorrow. She used the opportunity to mention some of the company’s give-back activities all centred around youths.

    The three contestants were treated to lots of exciting activities which included meeting with fans, dancing, musical entertainment, photographic session, signing of autographs, and they shared their idol experiences. The contestants were also treated to sumptuous Tantalizers meal leaning on the newly introduced ten combo meals which are fast becoming special value treats with consumers.

    The Managing Director/CEO used the occasion to reiterate the future plan of the brand in the area of franchising and youth empowerment.

  • New president for NHCI

    Nigerian Hotel and Catering Institute (NHCI) has elected Mr. Gabriel Adebayo Ayodele  the new President. He is a fellow of the institute and Controller, Marketing and Sales of Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

    Ayodele is saddled with the responsibility of running the organization for the next one year at an election held during the 13th annual general meeting of  NHCI in Lagos last week.

    Ayodele’s predecessor and immediate past president, Mr Bola Jaiyeola, General manager, Business Development, Odua Investment Limited, now represents the institute at the National Council of Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN).

    Other fellows of NHCI elected into the new council include Mallam Aminu Kabo, First Vice – President; Mrs. Bola Dada, Second Vice – President and Alhaji Gbenga Dau’ud Sunmonu as Third Vice-President.

    To further strengthen the foremost hospitality institute, about six notable professionals representing vast interests in the hotel and tourism Industry were appointed. They are Mr. Kazeem Durosomo, a fellow of NHCI and the Institute of Hospitality, United Kingdom, representing the hotel sector; Mrs. Angella Kachukwu representing hospitality and welfare sector; Col Beatrice Echenzu (rtd), representing institutional sector.

  • FTAN forum tourism holds next month

    FTAN forum tourism holds next month

    The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria [FTAN] in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration [FCTA] has announced that the second edition of their Tourism Investment Forum will hold next month.

    The event slated for June 10-11, 2014 will be held at the prestigious Ladi Kwali Hall of Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

    According to Chief Tomi Akingbogun, President of FTAN, the objectives of the program are to among others enable stakeholders to discuss and address some vital element towards the development and maintenance of tourism products and destinations that can induce creation of new tourism frontiers.

    Other reasons according to Akingbogun for the forum are, to showcase the potentials of the tourism sector to the economic development of Nigeria; to organize as well as to promote local tourism products and destinations to Nigerians before taking the same to the international market; and to strengthen relationship between the tourism investors and their services/product providers.

    The two-day event will include seminar and exhibition and are expected to give a new direction for the tourism industry; with participants expected from federal agencies, states, airlines, hotels, travel agents, and tour operators among others.

    FTAN President assured that necessary contacts are still being made within and outside the sector to mobilise stakeholders to grace the second edition of the investment forum next month.

    Meanwhile, this year’s edition presentations will include; Developing Nigeria’s Travel and Tourism: The Kenyan Experience by the Managing Director of Kenyan Tourism Board, Travel and Tourism Contribution To Nigeria Gross Domestic Products [GDP] by the Director General of Federal Office of Statistics [FOS], Identifying Nigeria’s Tourism Products by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation and Medical Tourism: Prospect in Ondo State.

    Other papers to be presented are, Balancing Tourism Development and Revenue Generation by the Minister of Finance and  Coordinating Minister for the Economy,  Application of Legal Framework for Sustainable Travel and Tourism Development in Nigeria, FCT as an Emerging Conference Destination in Africa by FCT Minister, Affordable Air Transport: Tool for Development of Tourism by Captain Boyo and finally Promoting Domestic Tourism: Tool for National Economic Development by the Director general of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation [NTDC]

    Chief Tomi noted that the tourism investment’s forum will be used to urge the government to quickly address some difficulties operators are facing, especially high interest rates, double taxation, and the need for reorientation of Nigerians to patronize local tourism products/destinations, that the current level of occupancy and low tourism activities in the country cannot support.

    NTIFE is an annual convergence of public and private sector Tourism practitioners, Federal and State officials.

    The 2013 edition recorded a huge success with over 3,000 participants and exhibitors in attendance.

  • Lufthansa starts new era

    Lufthansa starts new era

    For Nigerian travellers and the travellers all over the world that patronize the German airline, Lufthansa, a chapter in their travel experience will be opened as the airline starts receiving bookings for its latest product. The product is the newly developed Premium Economy Class.

    However, even though bookings have begun, travellers would have to wait until November to experience the new product. For Nigerian travellers, it might not be long before they will experience the new products being part of the long haul routes the new products will be deployed to.

    The new premium class has comfortable new seats and up to 50 per cent more room than the economy class seats.

    Premium Economy Class was presented to the public in March during the 2014 ITB-Berlin, and many travellers are looking forward to the new product. The Premium Economy Class would initially be fitted on the airline’s  Boeing 747-8. The new seats will gradually be fitted on the entire long-haul fleet within 12 months.

    “Our Premium Economy Class will create a completely new travel experience that combines affordability with greater comfort. The seats offer up to 50 per cent more room than Economy Class and will position us in a premium segment within the international competitive environment,” said Jens Bischof, CCO & member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board in charge of Sales, Product and Marketing, during a press conference at the Lufthansa stand in Hall 25.

    The new product will enable Lufthansa to meet the requirements of many business and private passengers who travel with other airlines in a similar travel class or who fly Economy Class due to travel specifications. Following the introduction of its new full-flat Business Class, Lufthansa created a much wider gap between Economy and Business Classes. As a result, there is now room for its new Premium Economy Class, which offers considerably more space and comfort as well as many additional product features, but is closer to Economy Class than Business Class in terms of its average prices. The move also means that Lufthansa is introducing a completely new travel class for the first time in 35 years.

    “The design and features of the new seat in particular are based on extensive passenger surveys and workshops with sales partners – a process that has been successfully used at Lufthansa. Following the upgrade of our First and Business Class, the installation of 3,600 seats on all 106 of our long-haul aircraft in just one year will mean another step towards becoming a five-star airline,” continued Bischof. “We expect to see more than 1.5 million passengers per year in our new Premium Economy Class.”

    The  seats were designed in partnership with the company müller/romca Industrial Design in Kiel and produced by the seat manufacturer ZIM Flugsitz near Lake Constance. Depending on the aircraft type, they are up to 3 centimetres wider and provide greater privacy as well as approximately 10 centimetres more room at the side thanks to each seat having its own wide armrest and a centre console between the seats.

    The back rest can be reclined further and the seat pitch is a significantly more spacious 38 inches, or 97 centimetres. As a result, passengers have around one-and-a-half times as much room as Economy Class.

    The head rests can be set to the exact height desired and folded at the sides for added comfort and support. Height-adjustable foot rests from the second row back and – for technical reasons – leg supports with an integrated foot rest in the first row provide extra comfort. Practical features around the seats such as a bottle holder, electrical socket and lots of storage space for passengers’ belongings also help to ensure a relaxed and pleasant journey.

    With a baggage allowance of two items weighing up to 23 kilogrammes each, passengers can take twice as much free luggage with them compared with Economy Class. For an extra EUR 25, passengers can also enjoy the comfort of the Lufthansa Business Lounges before their departure. Lounges were previously only open to status customers and are otherwise unavailable on a paying basis.           Check-in and boarding procedures as well as hand luggage regulations are the same as in Economy Class.

    An enhanced service awaits Premium Economy passengers on board. They are greeted with a welcome drink and will find their own water bottle as well as a high-quality amenity kit with practical travel accessories at their seat. Meals are presented on menus commensurate with the new travel class and served on porcelain tableware.

    Passengers can navigate the extensive in-flight entertainment programme using their own touchscreen monitor on the seat in front of them. This can also be done using a remote control, which serves as a controller for video games as well. The screens are 11 to 12 inches (28 to 30 centimetres), which makes them at least 2 inches bigger than the screens in Economy Class, depending on the aircraft type. A wide selection of magazines and newspapers completes the range of entertainment on offer.

    Up to 52 seats, depending on aircraft type, and attractive pricing Lufthansa Premium Economy Class is located within the cabin as a clearly identifiable separate compartment between Business and Economy Class.      It has a high-quality design and contains between 21 and 52 seats, depending on the aircraft type.         Installation of the new travel class, which is to be carried out on a gradual basis, sub-fleet by sub-fleet, will start this autumn and finish in summer 2015. The first sub-fleet to be fitted with the new seats will be the Boeing 747-8.

    Ticket prices in the new Premium Economy Class will be closer to Economy Class than Business Class – a return flight across the North Atlantic or to Asia will cost an additional EUR 600 on average.

    The introduction of Premium Economy Class will complement the many improvements that Lufthansa plans to make in all classes on board and on the ground by 2015. By this point in time, the entire long-haul fleet will have the new First and Business Class – which will involve the installation of 7,000 new seats on the company’s aircraft.    Apart from the interior of the cabins, services on board and on the ground are also being enhanced. The goal is to demonstrate to an even greater degree the qualities of being a dedicated host with a keen understanding of service and hospitality.

  • New president for NHCI

    Nigerian Hotel and Catering Institute (NHCI) has elected Mr. Gabriel Adebayo Ayodele  the new President. He is a fellow of the institute and Controller, Marketing and Sales of Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

    Ayodele is saddled with the responsibility of running the organization for the next one year at an election held during the 13th annual general meeting of  NHCI in Lagos last week.

    Ayodele’s predecessor and immediate past president, Mr Bola Jaiyeola, General manager, Business Development, Odua Investment Limited, now represents the institute at the National Council of Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN).

    Other fellows of NHCI elected into the new council include Mallam Aminu Kabo, First Vice – President; Mrs. Bola Dada, Second Vice – President and Alhaji Gbenga Dau’ud Sunmonu as Third Vice-President.

    To further strengthen the foremost hospitality institute, about six notable professionals representing vast interests in the hotel and tourism Industry were appointed. They are Mr. Kazeem Durosomo, a fellow of NHCI and the Institute of Hospitality, United Kingdom, representing the hotel sector; Mrs. Angella Kachukwu representing hospitality and welfare sector; Col Beatrice Echenzu (rtd), representing institutional sector.

    Others include Mrs Ebere Onu of Imo State University, representing the education sector; Mrs. Olabisi Onala from the Office of Chief of Staff, Lagos State Governor’s Office, representing the corporate and industrial sector and Mr. Clement Izuogu, representing the oil and gas sector.

    According to Mr. Victor Kayode, the Executive Secretary of the institute, the new council members who will join the former council have promised to build on the foundation laid by former exco led by Jaiyeola.

    Kayode noted that about 43 new professional members were inducted into the institute, adding that new processes of professional engagement would drive the new NHCI council.

  • Air connectivity, key to seizing Africa’s tourism potential

    Air connectivity, key to seizing Africa’s tourism potential

    The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) African member states met recently in Luanda, Angola to mark  the 56th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa.

    The meeting highlighted the need to have better coordination between tourism and air transport policies to fully explore the tourism sector’s capacity to deliver on growth and development in the continent. The meeting also discussed the on going poaching crisis in Africa and its negative impact on tourism.

    The meeting observed that over the last decade, international tourist arrivals to Africa have repeatedly outgrown results in other regions. By 2030, Africa ‘s international tourist numbers could grow from its current 56 million to 134 million and a rising number of African countries have embraced tourism as a priority for their development.

    Against this backdrop, participants at the UNWTO Commission for Africa meeting and the corresponding seminar on “Tourism and Air Connectivity in Africa” discussed how to overcome existing barriers to advance Africa’s tourism, including travel facilitation, air connectivity and infrastructure development.

    “Tourism accounts for seven per cent  of all exports in Africa and 58 per cent of its service exports and is one of the most important sectors for the economies of the continent”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.

    “Yet to fully realize the potential tourism has in promoting growth and development in Africa, it is imperative to work towards a better alignment of tourism and air transport policies in the region”, he added.

    The lack of consideration of tourism benefits and coordination between the tourism and aviation sectors, producing suboptimal air transport and tourism policies, infrastructure limitation, unsuitable taxation and restrictive visa policies were identified as the main factors hampering the development of both tourism and air transport in Africa.

    The seminar laid the groundwork for the first UNWTO and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Tourism and Transport Ministerial Conference for Africa to hold in Seychelles in October.

  • Bantaba: Celebrating tourism with awards for promoters

    Bantaba: Celebrating tourism with awards for promoters

    WHILE Nigeria marks the centenary of her existence as single entity, the tourism industry also had cause to also look back at the last 100 years of tourism in the country and honour individuals who had made contributions to the development of the industry.

    This happened towards the end of last month during the 2014 edition of Bantaba, Nigeria’s foremost speed dating event held annually in Abuja.

    The CEO of the organizing company, Mr. Ikechi Uko, explained the tremendous growth of tourism in Nigeria and the reason for putting together the awards for top tourism personalities: “Since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914, one of the pillars of integration and growth of the country was the transport system built initially on the back of the North –South rail network which now includes road, air, riverine and pipeline movement.

    “The modern Nigeria is built on an integrated transport system that carries millions of people around the country which includes over 14 million air travellers through 22 official airports. Aviation was the last to join the rail, road and river travel in Nigeria .

    “Today, Nigeria is one of the fastest growing hospitality hotspots in the world, and with a huge travelling public and aviation profile with its travel agents generating over $1.25b in a year. With transformation in progress, it is expected that the future of travel business in Nigeria is bright.

    “It is against this backdrop that the organizers of Abuja Bantaba announced its plans to honour certain individuals as well as companies in the tourism and travel business in Nigeria in line with Nigeria’s celebration of her 100 years together as one entity. The centenary of Nigeria comes with different landmark celebrations and for the tourism sector and players, the stage is set to roll out drums not only to assess and celebrate achievements, but also to encourage icons whose efforts are indelible at bringing tourism promotion to the limelight.”

    The Bantaba 2014 unveiled 100 personalities who had contributed to the industry in the last 100 years. The event began with the speed dating. It is to show the resilience of tourism that even in the cloud insecurity that has enveloped the Abuja after the first Nyanya bomb blast, travel companies from within and outside the country made it to the event. It was an opportunity for networking and brisk business.

    It was after the speed dating that the award  ceremony started. Among top recipients were the former Governor of Kano State, Police Commissioner Audu Bako, who put together some of the top tourism assets currently in Kano State like the Tiga Dam and many other tourism assets of the state.

    Other recipients  included the former aviation minister, Princess Stella Oduah. She was  honoured as a Legend of Travel in Nigeria. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan was honoured as the Aviation Governor of the Year and Governor Liyel Imoke as Tourism Man of the Year. The New Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, who was the Commissioner for Tourism in Akwa Ibom State was also honoured.

    Governor Liyel Imoke, on coming to office, consolidated the profile of Cross River State as Nigeria’s only tourist destination. He improved the content of the annual Calabar Carnival and succeeded in moving the carnival to the next level.

    He is currently building an international conference centre that would be  conferencing to the already established leisure  market.

    Commenting, event organiser and publisher of ATQ magazine, Ikechi Uko, thanked stakeholders for joining hands to make the event, which he said was a patriotic gathering, to encourage and celebrate pioneers in the tourism industry a success.

    Uko said: “We are here today for the centenary edition of Bantaba.  I give credit to two airlines, South African Airways and Emirate Airline, because they felt there was a need for them to have offers for people in the Federal Capital Territory to ease travellers of pressure.”

    Uko said this year’s Bantaba was different, commending governors of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Ekiti states and others who have continued to build a sustainable platform for tourism to thrive.

    He acknowledged the private sector players who are major drivers of the industry, commending them for their contribution and investment to promote and sustain practical tourism in Nigeria.

    “The tourism industry, which was initially pronounced as the preferred sector of the economy, has become an orphan struggling to survive.

    “Tourism from records has played pivotal role in most economies of the world, and if it collapses, the economy suffers. Therefore, in our little way, we are recognising those forgotten pioneers who have given tourism a practical platform,” Uko said.

    Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Etim Eyakenyi, said: “Tourism is the life wire of every economy, especially the transport, travels and the hospitality sector because without it, things would be difficult to thrive in any economy.

    “In this regard, I will say tourism is not an orphan, but what is required of us is to face the promotion and development of tourism squarely.”

    The minister commended  Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr Godswill Akpabio, for putting platforms in place to promote tourism, thereby encouraging others.

    Governor of Cross River State , Senator Imoke, who gave the audience a spice of the Carnival Calabar, said the tourism industry needed a strong Federal Government practical policy and structure to support the genuine commitment of state with good tourism initiative and brand destination.

    While appreciating the effort of the organisers, Senator Imoke said Cross River State is in the forefront of making tourism the mainstay and driver of the state’s economy.

    “Having travelled out of Nigeria and seen the way people troop out to countries that have less than one-third of our tourism potential, it baffled me, but I later found that their governments gave them a strong support in teams of policies, structures, marketing edge and promotion.

    “However, we have what can make the world turn to Nigeria, if we get the same measure of attention nations that are enjoying tourism got from their governments,” he added.

  • Qatar Airways enhances Privileged Club

    Qatar Airways enhances Privileged Club

    Qatar Airways has added an extra benefit to its mobile application, with the addition of a dedicated Privilege Club function.

    The new functionality, which comes on the back of the successful launch of the Qatar Airways mobile application last year, enables passenger’s lives to be connected to their full and detailed Privilege Club membership information, at the touch of a button.

    This fully integrated application will now enable customers to check their benefits and activities, use the Qcalculator to calculate Qmiles that can be earned or required for redemption, claim any missing Qmiles, cancel any pending award bookings, while also receiving tailored offers to meet their individual needs.

    This new line of service allows the Doha-based carrier to enhance its five-star passenger service with value added benefits, as passengers can already search for, book flights and check their flight status, while following any relevant travel alerts.

    Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “We continually look for ways to bring new and exciting services to our customers. Mobility is increasingly important in a world where people may have to change or adapt their travel plans at the last moment. Our mobile application not only allows passengers to have all their flight information in the palm of their hand, but now enables Privilege Club members access to a whole new level of five-star service.”

    Passengers can download the application from their respective app stores or by visiting qatarairways.com/mobile and following the links to the iPhone, BlackBerry or Android smartphone app stores. Customers who have already downloaded the application will automatically receive an update with the added Privilege Club functionality.