The Nation Newspaper

Category: Tourism

  • La Campagne Tropicana adds water leisure facilities

    By Okorie UGURU

     

    LA Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ikegun, Lagos State, has added water leisure facilities to available options for relaxation at the resort.

    This new offering is tagged  The new way of life in La Campagne  and comes in four distinct categories: water leisure, water sports adventure, lagoon retreats and meetings, and dining on the lagoon- breakfast, lunch and dinner.

    The new range of water sport facilities introduced by the resort include  boats for luxury cruise and fishing; surfing, snorkeling, jet ski, kayaking, canoeing, scuba – diving, underwater bike, tubing, and sea scooter and seabob. For new users, a trainer is onsite, especially for swimming, to take them through the whole hug.

    The  resort has also added novel Retreat/conference on the Lagoon. Retreats and meetings on lagoon is a new experience as you enjoy your sessions on boat cruising on Lagos waters and it comes with a rich treat, quite relaxing and blissful as you savour airy and breezy natural feel from the elements while cruising either from Radisson Blu Hotel in Victoria Island to the resort or cruising on the lagoon within the resort.

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    “It is a whole new experience recommended for corporate, religious and private retreats. The conference boat is equipped with the state of – the – art conference facilities such as projectors, screens, flip chart, Wi-Fi, and writing materials,” according to a statement by the resort.

    “At the resort, the conference crew disembark and engage in many of the resort numerous bonding activities and water sports as part of the added on value for the lagoon retreats and meetings package. Also, part of the itinerary is buffet breakfast at Radisson Blu Hotel for 9am before departure for 10am for those taking off from the hotel while for those taking off from the resort breakfast is served onsite.

    “At noon, the team members are taken through various bonding exercises and then buffet lunch at a setting overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This is capped by a set of water sports activities before departure for Radisson Blu Hotel where dinner is served on the lagoon, offering a rich blend of culinary and atmospheric treats for the benefits of the team, while those resident at the resort are treated to dinner on the lagoon.

    “This is good for outdoor lovers and typically offers you the experience of man and nature living in blissful harmony. As part of this new package, you are treated to delicious culinary offerings; breakfast, lunch and dinner while cruising on the lagoon; savoring the natural bliss of the mangrove forest, bird watching and being serenaded not only by the airy and breezy natural elements, but the sonorous chippings of the birds.”

    This package is tailored made to suit lovebirds, family, group of tourists, corporate and religious retreats. This also comes with live entertainment and private butlers and sentries.

  • National Park Service seeks partnership with tourism stakeholders

    By Okorie UGURU

     

    THE Conservator General of the Nigerian National Park Service,  Alhaji Ibrahim Goni, has called  for greater co-operation between his organization and stakeholders in the tourism sector.

    Goni made the call when he hosted some stakeholders in the tourism industry in his office in Abuja.

    Among the tourism stakeholders who visited NPS boss   were:   Chairman of the Calabar Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah; the organiser of the annual Akwaaba International Travel Fair, Lagos and publisher of ATQ news, Mr. Ikechi Uko;  the Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Events, Mr. Ken Aklah and the President of the National Association of Tour Operator, Hajia Bilkisu Abdul.

    Goni expressed  his unhappy that  NPS was  not being promoted as part of the national tourism asset and also as part of the package for the annual Carnival Calabar despite the fact that  Cross River State’s  National Park boasts of  the only habitation for lowland gorillas in Nigeria, and the tropical rainforest environment.

    Goni made a case for the involvement of the NPS  in the foremost international travel fair in West African, the Akwaaba Travel Fair. He said it was imperative  since the park service had been part of the fair for many years.

    He said: “We have moved from the old style of conservation and protection of our parks.  We are now a modern service with the latest technology in all our parks.

    “Our parks are Wifi enabled. We are now a paramilitary organisation and want professionals in tourism to work with us.  We reached to you because you are our partners.  We have worked with you and will want to renew our relationship.”

    Mr. Gabe Onah  promised that the park will be  part of the third dry run of Carnival Calabar on December 15.

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    He said there will also be a full day tour of the National Park, Cross River as part of its offering. He also promised to deepen the relationship with the services.

    Akwaaba Organiser,Mr. Ikechi  Uko said  the National Park Services was missed at Akwaaba for the past four years and will re-engage with them for future events.

    On her on part, NATOP President, Hajia Bilkisu promised to brief her members on the proposal by the NPS and that the association would officially engage with the parks services.

  • World gathers in London as 40th WTM begins Monday

    By Okorie UGURU

     

    ALL is set for the opening of the 2019 World Tourism Market (WTM) at  Custom House, ExCeL, London, on Monday.  It is  the 40th edition of the fair with about  180 countries expected to participate.

    But  Nigeria will not be participating officially this year.

    About 5,000 exhibitors  and players in the travel and tourism industry across the globe have booked stands at the fair.  The organizers expect about 55,000 visitors.

    Last year’s edition created meetings  resulting in around £3 billion worth of  contracts, according to the organizers.

    Market reach was also expanded  through social networks, partnerships and media.

    African countries are not left out in the WTM frenzy. Egypt, one of the continent’s leading destinations, is sponsoring visitor registration at this year’s WTM.

    The exercise will be handled by the Egypt Tourism Authority.

    The partnership comes a few  days after the British government lifted the flight restriction to the North African country’s resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. The removal of the guidelines from the U will mean there will be a huge push for tourism to Egypt from Britain.

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    Egypt’s Minister of Tourism Dr. Rania Al-Mashat commended the declaration of the end of the ban saying:“We welcome the return of British tourists to Sharm el-Sheikh. This announcement is a renewal of the ongoing cooperation between both nations.

    “This step is a testament to the continuous efforts exerted by the Egyptian government to ensure the safety and security of every visitor in all Egypt’s destinations, and in South Sinai in particular.”

    Egypt has significantly invested in safety and security measures including CCTV, airport security, GPS on tour busses, and continually reviews and enhances these security steps.

    As part of the country’s tourism initiative for 2020, Sphinx airport will charter flights to West Cairo to facilitate passengers’ journey to the new Grand Egyptian Museum and the ancient Pyramids. The Grand Egyptian Museum will officially open its doors in late 2020. It is  not only set to be the biggest museum in the world, but will exclusively host only ancient Egyptian pieces and will be the final resting place for Tutankhamun, treasures of the Golden Pharaoh exhibition.

    The Tutankhamun exhibition will open  and will be in residence until Sunday 3 May 2020.  The exhibition celebrates the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and opens on the second day of the London Travel Week.

  • 2019 NAFEST elevated to royal status in Benin

     Okorie UGURU

    THE 2019 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture(NAFEST) taking place  in Benin will truly be remembered as a royal NAFEST of sorts given the royal complexion to almost every aspect of the festival.

    From a royal demonstration of Nigerian cuisines by many  states to a display of indigenous fabrics in royal apparel to a night of glorious royal grandeur personified by the Benin Monarch himself, HRM Oba Ewuare II, all showcasing royalty in its purest form.

    The renowned Oba attended a variety show with his beautiful wives which is a rarity as far as Benin tradition is concerned.

    Also in attendance at the show was the full complement of the Edo State Government led by GovernorGodwin Obaseki alongside the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe who led over 25 state contingents to the event as they collectively paid homage to the revered Oba.

    The main feature of the night was a drama  presentation of the legendary Queen Mother, Idia, whose brave exploits in saving the old kingdom are well emblazoned in Benin folklore.

    Earlier in the day, Nigerians in attendance were treated to a full dose of royal culinary delight by participants from Ekiti, Delta, Adamawa, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna and others in a healthy Food Fair Competition staged to ascertain the ethnic group  that can rival Benin royalty.

    As the weeklong fiesta hits a crescendo with many anticipated activities like  Culture Quiz Competition, Royal Splendour, Traditional Wrestling, Free Skill Acquisition, Free Medical Services, Royal Golf Tourney etc, Nigerians can expect a complete treat of culture and royalty never before experienced in NAFEST.

  • Radisson to add more hotels in Nigeria

    Okorie UGURU

    THE Radisson Hotel Group is adding more hotels to its property portfolio in Nigeria. This includes bringing its topmost luxury brand, the Radisson Collection, into the country. In addition, the group is embarking on phased renovations in three of its properties in the country,according to  the General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel Anchorage, Victoria Island, Lagos, Mr. Kelvin Kamua.

    Kamua said, during a  media chat, that despite the current difficulty in Nigeria’s economy, the group is confident of a better future.

    Kamua talked about how the Radisson brand has evolved from one property to one of the most recognizable international hotel brands in Nigeria.

    He said: “a few things have happened: one, I have the best team in Nigeria. They make my job a lot more bearable.

    “ If I look at the Anchorage and the other  hotels, we’ve got a diverse team. We are promoting talent and we are training. What all these do, is to remove a bit of weight off your back and to focus on other businesses.

    “We are one of the few hotels with a Nigerian as revenue manager.We’ve got a director sales from Zimbabwe, chef from South Africa, three quarters of our food and beverages department are local Nigerians that are properly trained. It really helps to have people with  the market knowledge. We can’t make the right decisions if we don’t have the right information. Also the additional support  I’m getting from the new general managers makes things easy.

    “Why Nigeria? I will probably backtrack to say, why Africa?   Africa is the next thing to happen. China happened. One thing I am very passionate is that Africa needs to be run be Africans. That is why you see more Africans in different positions.

    “The reality is that our focus on Africa is based on where we see Africa. It has got so much potentials. We’ve got so much potentials and development and growth.”

    He also talked about the name change of the group from Calton Rezidor to Radisson Hotel Group and the philosophy behind each of the brands

    “ One of the great things about the name is that we will now be able to merge the different retails under the same umbrella and create some fantastic new brands. If you look at our brand architecture, we have some specific brands for the Middle East and Africa.

    “Our top tier brand is called the Radisson Collection. This is our absolute luxury brand. This brand is dedicated to very key market.

    “ For me to be in Nigeria, one of the best prizes was the opening of the first two Radisson Collection for the  next two years in Lagos. It is a very unique brand. It is not only because it is a luxury brand, it is a very hard brand to get.

    “ So, we are proud to have that coming along.

    “Secondly, when I talk  about our pride in Nigeria, I look at what we are doing here. We are actually one of the markets in Africa that have brought the three brands   in the country. So we are making really good stride. We’ve got two Radisson Blu in  Lagos.

    “There are three Radisson properties coming in the next three to five years. We currently have the Radisson Blu Anchorage and the two year-old Radisson  Blu, Ikeja.

    “Radisson is our second brand. Remember I said the Radisson Collection lines itself into luxury, the Radisson Blu is into upper scale, it is just below luxury, focusing more on business clientele and our leisure guests. Then under that is Radisson.

    “ Now Radisson is a beautiful brand.It is for a select, but it is an upscale hotel and you still get all the services that you would in a regular five-star hotel. Again it is a different DNA.

    “If you look at the team there, they are very different. To have our second one in Africa open in Nigeria was quite exciting.  Under the Radisson, we still have another brand called the Radisson Red. It is a fantastic brand geared towards the millennial. What we’ve just started seeing is that it is not just the millennial but different other market segments because it is a very different hotel. You walk into a Red, the person checking you in is possibly the person serving you in the restaurant. Your general manager could possibly be cleaning your room tomorrow. So, everyone does everything and it is a very different brand and we are looking forward to welcoming it into Lagos. We are actually very excited about the potentials in Lagos.

    “Then the big fighters, we call them the big fighters, that is Park Inns. It is exciting and colourful. These are the key ones. There are two others but those two are not for our market in Middle East and Africa. We need to recognize our strength and our strength in Africa are the ones we have mentioned.”

    On the ongoing renovations of  three of the hotel group’s properties, Kamua said: “We are also spending a lot on renovation.  Look at this hotel, Radisson Blu Anchorage, Victoria Island, you would see that it has been running since 2010/2011.

    “So, it is time to give it a refresh. So, if you come here in another 12 months, I don’t think you will be able to recognize it. It will be completely different. We are getting a lot of support from our investors and owners because of the success of what we are doing. We are in a very tough economy but we still see the owners happy to invest. So, these hotels- Radisson Blu Anchorage, Radisson Ikeja and Park Inn, Victoria Island are undergoing significant renovation.”

    The Radisson Hotel Group is the leading hotel group in Africa in the area of property expansion.

  • Why Air Peace chose to land in Sharjah Airport — Onyeama

    By Okorie UGURU

    While most airlines to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), chose to land at the  ever-busy Dubai International Airport to discharge their passengers, Nigerian private carrier, Air Peace, chose Sharjah Airport to land its passengers early this year when  it began regular flights to the country.

    The chairman and chief executive officer of the airline, Mr. Allen Onyema, has given reasons why it chose to fly to Sharjah instead of the more popular Dubai.

    His words: “Our Dubai operations are going on seamlessly. Our waiting time, the delay over period is very short, in some cases one hour. Some people think that Sharjah is far from Dubai, no, it is not,it is just 15 minutes, it is even closer to some parts of Dubai than Dubai Airport.

    “Because of the trekking you do before you get to the immigration check point, some of passengers trek up to two hours, by which time somebody who landed in Sharjah has gone to his hotel and probably sleeping.

    “Sharjah has a smaller airport. So when you land there, those long formalities and long trekking are not there, you just walk to the immigration counter and within 15 minutes you are out of that airport and you are in your hotel in Dubai.

    “For our economy passengers, we have buses that will take them to Dubai. It takes just 15 minutes and we drop them at Diera and for business and first-class passengers because our planes have business and first classes. We give you a limousine to take you to your hotel and the day you are going back, we come and pick you from the hotel to the airport.”

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    Onyema called on Nigerians to support local airlines because of the role they play in sustaining the economy.

    He said: “Nigerians should be patriotic enough to patronise their own. We don’t have the kind of money Emirates have, using state money for their operations and that is unfair competition which was what led to the airline being pushed out of America because they were using all manners of tactics, using state funds to run airlines which is not always allowed is an unfair competition. But the American government stepped in immediately and cut down many frequencies given to them and it affected them and they withdrew.

    “Now in Nigeria, they are doing all sorts of things. They have done it to Arik Air, done it to Virgin Nigeria, done it to Medview Air and now is Air Peace.

    “Failing on that route is not the fault of Nigerian airlines because they employ unfair competition, using state funds to compete. They can afford to slash their fares as low as 90 per cent just to push you out and when they push you out, they will come back to gain all they lost all over again.

    “Nigerians should also be patriotic enough to patronise their own. There is so much the government can do in this circumstance. But it is for the people to understand that this is their own airline in terms of pricing. Your own will be your own.

    “What I did in South Africa, no airline under the sun can do that. Even the government will find it difficult to do, but we do it because it is our country. They cannot do that. All the 34 airlines operating in Nigeria have not employed up to 350 Nigerians as at today and they remit billions back to their country on annual basis more than us and Air Peace alone has 3, 200 Nigerians working directly under it and with about 9, 000 ancillary jobs.

    “So, why can’t we support our own? What are they providing that others can’t provide? They lure you with all sorts of things and you end up paying for them. When the country’s economy is going down, you will end up paying all these little things they are offering you. What tour operators and travel agencies should be asking Air Peace is to make sure that your equipment are safe and top notch. That is what should bother Nigerians.”

  • Sheraton Lagos hosts Cognac tasting

    By Okorie UGURU

    Sheraton Lagos Hotel recently hosted an exclusive cognac tasting event in collaboration with Remy Martin XO for Marriott Bonvoy members.

    During the event, members were introduced to the variety of flavours and richness of aromas found in a glass of Remy Martin XO, while being serenaded with live entertainment featuring a violinist and saxophonist.

    Members were given access to this exclusive experience under Marriott Bonvoy Moments- the travel programme’s experiential platform –which allows members to bid or exchange their Marriott Bonvoy points for access like no other.

    “Sheraton is where the world comes together and we are delighted to have brought our Marriott Bonvoy members together for this exclusive Remy Martin XO tasting experience,” said Barry Curran, General Manager Sheraton Lagos Hotel.

    “We are committed towards curating experiences that allow us to connect with our members through their passions and build loyalty beyond reason. This event was a step in this direction and we hope to bring many more exclusive experiences that will allow us to engage with our members.”

    The moment featured an exclusive Remy Martin XO tasting paired with exquisite food at the hotel’s Presidential Suite, a one-night complimentary stay in a club room, complimentary breakfast, special gifts from the hotel and Remy Martin XO.

    Members also enjoyed engaging conversations and photo opportunities during the intimate evening with the Remy Martin XO brand ambassador Stephen Jimba and Xavier Carbonel the Remy Cointreau Country Manager.

  • ABTA summits for Abuja, Lagos

    By Okorie UGURU

    African Business Travellers Association (ABTA) Summit, an event that brings together corporate travel buyers, travel management companies, airlines, hotels and a variety of other industry suppliers from across Africa’s emerging markets, including Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, will hold next week in the cities of Abuja and Lagos.

    ABTA summits are  well attended travel event  in Africa and allow all industry sectors the opportunity to engage with each other, share challenges, brainstorm solutions, identify trends and investigate best practice, thereby elevating the level of communication between sectors and building stronger industry practices.

    The summit in Abuja will hold at Blu Cabana Restaurant and Café, Mabushi, Abuja on Monday, October 21, while the Lagos event will hold at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island  on Tuesday, October 22.

  • 2019 NTIFE holds

    By Okorie UGURU

    This year’s edition of Nigerian Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) will hold on 19th and 20th of next month.

    The Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Deputy National Chairman of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), organisers of the fair, said this year’s event would seek to improve on the past editions.

    The theme for this year  is  “An insight into the legal framework of tourism in Nigeria”. He said there would equally be a panel of discussion on the topic:  “The role of tourism   stakeholders in tourism   development in Nigeria”.

    Unlike the past editions which were held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja, this year’s NTIFE will hold at the prestigious  Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

  • Ethiopian Airlines, immigration services stimulate tourism with online visa

    By Okorie UGURU

    With the introduction of e-visa service back in June 2017, Ethiopia has opened its doors to foreign visitors wider than ever before. Ever since, the e-visa service has redefined visitors’ travel experience, easing entry into the country with digitized service accessible from any part of the world.

    Using the e-visa service, more 200,000 people from 217 countries visited Ethiopia so far. Backed by a dedicated round-the-clock customer support via email, the e-visa service enables travellers secure e-visa in less than six hours with a short turnaround time at the airport.

    “The milestone in the number of travellers who visited Ethiopia through the e-visa service comes as a good news to all of us in the tourism and travel industry,” says Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO Ethiopian Airlines.

    “The 200,000 milestone is indicative of the fact that the number of visitors who use the digitized service is on the rise. This will bring more benefits to Ethiopia in terms of facilitating travel and promoting tourism, trade and investment to the country.”

    With the boom in the global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions (MICE) industry, the e-visa service gives Ethiopia an edge to reap the benefits the industry offers.

    The air connectivity Ethiopia enjoys as the hub of Ethiopian Airlines Group coupled with the mushrooming of hotels and lodgings in the country will further elevate Ethiopia as a preferred MICE hub. In the past few years, Ethiopia has taken significant strides towards making travel simple and seamless. Besides the e-visa service, travellers flying Ethiopian also enjoy seamless and end-to-end service using the innovative mobile application of the airline.