The Nation Newspaper

Category: Tourism

  • IATA re-appoints Ethiopian Airlines CEO to board

    Ethiopian Airlines announced that its group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, has been re-appointed to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Board of Governors for a three year-term at the 75th annual general meeting held in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

    The IATA Board of Governors comprises of 30 members who are elected from the world’s biggest carriers included in IATA and approved by the assembly. The Board of Governors acts as the government of IATA and represents 290 airlines in over 120 countries, carrying 82% of the world’s air traffic.

    The governors are eligible to exercise an oversight and executive role on behalf of the membership as a whole in representing the interests of the association.

    Mr. Tewolde, who is a titan of the industry, has received prominent awards from different organizations, including “The African CEO of the Year”, “The Best African Business Leader”, “The Airline Strategy Award for Regional Leadership”, “Planet Africa professional Excellence Award”, “The African CEO’s Hall Of Fame”, and “Most Gender Focused CEO Award”.

    The re-appointment of the Ethiopian Group CEO to the Board of Governors is in recognition of Ethiopian fastest and sustainable growth in general and his indispensable contribution to the development of African aviation industry in general.

  • Sweetkiwi makes inroad into American market

    2018 was a monumental year in the frozen yogurt industry as revolutionary Nigeria’s yogurt brand, Sweetkiwi, launched at Union Kitchen, a healthy-driven retail outlet in the United States of America.

    The frozen yogurt industry in Nigeria has not been one to boast of contributing to the health of the consumers due to the high content of added sugar.

    The industry has also not seen any brand pioneer a distinct business move until Sweetkiwi’s launch seven years ago which drove a new perception and re-wrote the narrative.

    The yogurt company was founded by Ehime Eigbe-Akindele in 2011.

    In a span of seven years, Sweetkiwi has dominated the Nigerian frozen yogurt scene and was named one of the 100 most innovative businesses in Nigeria. The negotiation to scale beyond Nigeria started in June 2018 with Union Kitchen, a food and beverage business accelerator, with franchises all over the world.

    Sweetkiwi currently stocks at eight stores in the Washington D.C area. She said: “The plan is to go regional than national in the US along with creating experience locations in major cities. We are working to scale Sweetkiwi to a global level.

    “We have received so much support from the DC food scene and government. ‘I wish the governments in Nigeria can support entrepreneurs in the same way, instead of the current way they treat small businesses. Imagine what we could achieve, we had a better environment to facilitate growth.’ Ehime said on her biggest struggles as an entrepreneur.”

  • NATOP re-launches Ife tourism with AGM

    THE ancient city of Ile-Ife, the ancestral home of the Yoruba worldwide, has always appealed to local and inbound tourists.  With a monarch with deep passion for tourism and culture, a first-class resort and   a rich throve of history, heritage sites and monuments, Ile-Ife is set to make gains in terms of tourism receipt.  This was what the Nigeria Association of Tourism Operators (NATOP) set out do in Ile-Ife.

    The association held its 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Ife Grand Resorts and Leisure  and used the opportunity to tour the heritage sites with a view to generating packaged tours for Ile- Ife. The theme of the AGM was: ‘Impact of Culture, Partnership and Governance in Nigerian Tourism Development’.

    In her opening address on the occasion, the NATOP President, Hajia Bilkisu Abdul, said the decision of  NATOP to come to Ile- Ife for its AGM  was part of its deliberate efforts of the Nigerian tour operators to promote destinations in the country.

    She said the association had held past AGMs in Calabar, Cross River State and Jos, Plateau State.

    In his address , the Board of Trustees Chairman of NATOP, Mr Nkereuwem Onung, praised the Ooni for his giant strides in tourism and called for greater co-operation between the tour operators and the monarch. Nkereuwem said the private sector needs to persuade government to give attention to tourism.

    His  words: “There is need for the private sector to persuade government to give attention to tourism. There is, therefore, the need for us to join hands together to grow tourism and pressure the government of President Buhari to prioritize tourism. We believe that the low hanging fruits of tourism will grow our GDP.”

    Among the dignitaries at the NATOP AGM was the Director-General of the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe.  Runsewe commended the tour operators for  holding their AGM in the culturally and historically important city of Ile-Ife.

    The traditional ruler of Ile Ife, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, was happy with the presence of the tour operators. He praised the NCAC boss, Otunba Runsewe,  for  the high value and premium promotion enjoyed by Nigerian culture under  his watch.

    The Ooni, who bestrides the cradle of the Yoruba race and sits on the oldest traditional throne in Black Africa, commended  Runsewe for pushing the quest for a new culture economy to the front burner of national discourse, making Nigerians very proud.

    “I can see everything turning around for culture and tourism in Nigeria very soon and I stand to appreciate Runsewe’s undivided attention and dedication to see the sector blossom profitably” he said.

    The Ooni, who is also a frontline investor in tourism economy with the Ife Grand Resort planted to drive domestic tourism, called on the private sector to join hands with Runsewe to change and sustain the positive narratives for cultural tourism as poverty buster and employment influencer.

    Earlier in his address, Otunba Runsewe, who led industry operators to appreciate the oba for hosting  NATOP  delegates, praised the vision of the Ooni for  transforming the geo-tourism and economic landscape of Ile-Ife through the luxury resort.

    “This place is a masterpiece planted by a visionary leader and I am encouraged by this very significant intervention which represents the very picture of what we want to see in Nigeria from our people and other traditional rulers,”Otunba Runsewe.

    To further open the resort and the entire Ife land tourism architecture to visitors, the NCAC boss told the Ooni to use his goodwill to attract the construction of a light rail from Lagos to Ile-Ife.

  • THIC 2019 to shape hospitality future

    THE second edition of The Hospitality Industry Conference (THIC), one-day content packed event, will hold on June 15 at the Civic Centre, Lagos State, with the theme: ‘Shaping the future of Hospitality in Nigeria’.

    The Hospitality Industry Conference (THIC) is an educational and networking platform which focuses on the hospitality and tourism industries in Nigeria. The knowledge-based conference provides a unique global forum for academicians, chefs, industry leaders and key hospitality practitioners to deliberate on critical issues that will affect the future direction of tourism and the hospitality industry in Nigeria.

    The features of the programme are keynote speeches, panel sessions, industry round table, high level networking and creative presentations, cocktail and luncheon.

    According to the convener, Yvonne Mordi, THIC 2018 was exhilarating and impactful. “THIC 2019 will be more promising. It will be a window of gaining from expert information, comprehensive understanding of opportunities in the industry and accessing industry players.

    “Participants to THIC 2019 are industry players such as hotel and restaurant owners, investors, consultants, developers, policymakers in hospitality and tourism industry, academicians from hospitality and tourism management universities, institutes and schools, and professionals and industry experts from the hospitality and tourism industry”, Yvonne said.

  • Hungarian Embassy hosts Twins Festival

    THE Twins Action Aid International in collaboration with the Hungarian Embassy and the International Women Society (IWS), held this year’s Twins Day Festival.

    The festival is a one-day programme that celebrates beauty and uniqueness of twins in African and other multiple births through arts and culture, competitions ,fashion show, exhibitions, poetry, talent hunt, dance drama and so on.

    This year’s edition  was unique  as the Hungarian Embassy and the International Women Society on the platform of cultural exchange programme and promotion of trade investment between Nigerians and Hungarians  played host to over 100 sets of twins at the Hungarian Trade Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The day’s programme was declared open by  Agota Terezia Horvath, the Economic Counsellor and first Secretary Economic Affairs, Hungarian Embassy. In her address, she stressed the importance of promoting trade investment using the vehicle of  cultural exchange programme   and international understanding among nations of the world.

    In her own address, the President, the International Women Society (IWS), Nigeria, Mrs.Nkoli Ogholu, enumerated the various achievements of IWS since its inception in 1957 and the need to relate with the Twins Action Aid International in order to raise funds for indigent twins.

    In his response, the Executive Director, Twins Action Aid International, Mr. Kehinde William Oluwafunso, said the  formation of the Twins Action Aid International is to touch lives after a close shave with death.

  • Amachree calls on Lagos to build private sector tourism

    Nigeria’s Father of Tourism, Chief Mike Amachree, has called on the Lagos State government to empower the private sector tourism industry practitioners in the state.

    He made this called at the just- concluded 2018 Akwaaba  West African Travel Market recently held at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Amachree, who was one of the guests during the exciting Lagos Day at the fair, commended the state for its vision and efforts to make tourism  a key sector in the state’s economy .

    He said: “I wish to commend the government of Lagos for its strategic focus on tourism.  I think it is a step in the right direction. The tourism vision of Lagos is such that if effectively implemented, it would transform the state into one of the leading destinations in Africa.

    “Lagos is so blessed in the area of heritage and eco-tourism. The state has close to 200 kilometres of white sandy beach front. This is a major tourism asset. The state is also the entertainment capital of Africa being the birth place of Nollywood and  it is also home to the some of the biggest music names in Africa.  All these could be harnessed to boost the tourism reception in  the state.

    “Having said that,  it is important that the state empowers the private sector to come up with tourism products that would bring  Africa and the rest of the world to Lagos. The duty of the government is to create the enabling environment for tourism to thrive; however, it is equally important that the private sector tourism investors are encouraged to key into this vision of the state government. It is only then that meaningful progress could be made.”

    Amachree also used to the opportunity to commend the organizers of the Akwaaba Travel Market. He sees the fair as a positive for Africa as it helps to bring people from within and outside the continent to Nigeria. In addition he said the fair offers opportunity for African countries to cooperate and synergize in order to develop tourism in their different countries. He said through the fair, many African destinations are seeing the need to cooperate..

    Among those present at the Lagos Day were the Director General of the National Council of Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe;  Lagos Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; Anambra State Commissioner of Tourism and Culture, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo; the First Deputy President, the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, and many other guests.

  • SSI promotes Yoruba culture, cuisine with ‘Faaji Repete’

    In taking its hospitality experience to the next level, Southern Sun Ikoyi (SSI) continues to innovate with menus as it promotes local cuisines and traditions. The hotel hosted guests to its Yoruba themed Faaji Repete menu through its series of themed ethnic Saturday night menus.

    The ethnic Saturday night menu which commenced with the themed Igbo Amaka celebration, left guests truly excited with inspired local menus by the head chef and cultural representation of the restaurant décor alongside the energetic performance of the traditional troupe who ensured that guests of the hotel left with a truly memorable experience and in awe.

    Faaji Repete at Southern Sun Ikoyi was an experience which lived up to the hotel’s reputation of a complete hospitality experience as guests with different pallets were treated to an array of indigenous Yoruba cuisines which hitherto might not have been seen on the dining of any international hotel.

    The themed celebration offered guests  appetizing dishes on menu accompanied with fuji music and other exciting tunes. The reponse was positive as guests swayed to the tunes and good food.

    Through guests experiences and comments, the themed ethnic Saturday night by SSI has showed that there is a lot of untapped cultural menus which has reignited the need for more local cuisines in the hospitality industry as the themed Igbo Amaka and Faaji Repete nights witnessed an interests in the local dishes introduced by foreign guests of the hotel who enjoyed these delicacies. The local dishes for Nigerians present reminisced childhood experiences and dishes which a rare in most menus today.

  • BA offers Business Class luxury

    British Airways said it is offering Nigerians combined premium levels of comfort and service in its Club World. Nigerian travellers, whether for business or pleasure, there would be a Club World seat with customer’s name on it.

    The  airline said it has invested millions in giving customers  better experience in recent years, and Club World passengers can now turn their flight time into me time as they enjoy personalized services with new luxury bedding, a spa kit full of little luxuries and enhanced food and drinks from menus inspired by some of the world’s top chefs, among others.

    Club world passengers in Nigeria can take advantage of the current promotional introduced by BA to experience the true definition of Business Class on long haul flights.

    Kola Olayinka, British Airways Regional Commercial Manager, speaking about British Airways Club World, said that, “Business Class Passengers would enjoy the discounted travel cost for a travel period of 10th September to 30th November, 2018.”

    He also said that, “British Airways has really focused on attention to detail with the new Club World delivering personalized services such as a spacious seat which converts into a fully flat bed, delicious food and drink options using fresh local ingredients, access to private lounges and luxurious spa treatments among others benefits.

    British Airways rolled out Club World improvements that ensure enjoyable better night’s sleep with stylish new luxurious bedding and amenity kit designed by The White Company, a renowned British luxury lifestyle brand.  While on board, Club World introduces passengers to a whole world of entertainment with hundreds of the latest films (from Nollywood too), documentary, television, music, audio books, games that come alive on personal 10.4 inches flat screen and noise-cancelling headphones.

    BA said it has committed a huge investment to the new Club World, and this includes investment in the people delivering it.

    According to the airline, “All the cabin crew have been given two days of training, which means they are fully aware of what Club World passengers expect. In addition to the product and service improvements in Club World, all customers can also look forward to the latest generation Wi-Fi across British Airways long-haul and short-haul fleets over the next two years.

  • Bangladesh, Egypt to exhibit at NCAC expo in November

    Bangladesh and Egypt have joined the long list of countries that have committed to showcasing their unique art and crafts in the forthcoming International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC) slated for November in Abuja.

    The Bangladeshi High Commissioner, his Excellency Shameed Ahsan assured the director-general of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe of his country’s total participation during a courtesy call to his office in Abuja.

    The Ambassador stated succinctly that, “Your leadership role encourages us to partner with you”.

    Runsewe responded thankfully saying that this year’s maiden edition of the International Arts and Crafts Expo promises to be the first of its kind in terms of packaging and organization.

    The envoy equally accepted to host Bangladesh day during the event to promote the natural endowments of his country to world.

    Runsewe has firmly resolved to make this year’s INAC a platform to network over thirty-five countries that have indicated interest to participate.

    Some of the countries include Venezuela, Tanzania, Spain, France, USA, Cameroun, Togo, Namibia, Trinidad and Tobago, Syria, China, Pakistan amongst many others.

  • The world to mark Tourism Day Lagos unveils master plan

    NIGERIA will  join the world on Thursday, September 27 to celebrate the World Tourism Day (WTD).  The WTD is a day set aside by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to focus on tourism and its impact on the world.

    In Nigeria, many states have lined up activities to mark the day. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is expected to organize activities to mark the day.

    In  Lagos State, the Ministry Tourism, Arts and Culture is expected to unveil the ambitious Lagos State Tourism Master-plan on that day.

    Speaking on the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day, the Preisdent of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Alhaji Karim Rabo, said the theme for this year’s WTD is timely. He said: “I think the theme is coming at the right time. In the world today, technology has taken over and tourism has to key into it to make progress.

    “Technology directs everything we do and if you are not compliant technologically, you cannot function effectively in the travel industry. So, there is the need to for stakeholders in the tourism industry to key into it and embrace technological solutions for travel. Nigeria is part of the global village and we must not be left behind.”

    Asked whether Nigeria is at par with the rest of the in the use of technology for travel business, Rabo said: “We are not yet there, but we are making progress. If we don’t key in fully, we will be left behind.”

    Meanwhile, the UNWTO, in its statement on the World Tourism Day, said the importance of digital technologies in tourism, providing opportunities for innovation and preparing the sector for the future of work, is at the centre of World Tourism Day 2018 to be celebrated in Budapest, Hungary  on September 27.

    It said this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD) will help to put the opportunities provided to tourism, by technological advances including big data, artificial intelligence and digital platforms, on the map of sustainable development. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) sees digital advances and innovation as part of the solution to the challenge of marrying continued growth with a more sustainable and responsible tourism sector.

    “Harnessing innovation and digital advances provide tourism with opportunities to improve inclusiveness, local community empowerment and efficient resource management, amongst other objectives within the wider sustainable development agenda”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

    The WTD official celebration will be held in Budapest, Hungary, a country enjoying steady growth of tourism backed by consistent policy support and a commitment to the digital future. Other celebrations will take place worldwide.

    The official celebration will also see the announcement of the semi-finalists of the 1st UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition, launched by UNWTO and Globalia to give visibility to startups with innovative ideas capable of revolutionizing the way we travel and enjoy tourism.

    Also speaking on the the 2018 WTD, former permanent secretary, Lagos State ministry of tourism, Mr. Ashamu Fadipe, said  the impact of  digital technology in travel and tourism  is worth celebrating. He said: “Nobody can book for an airline today without digital technology. As a result of that, it has become relevant and it is important to celebrate it.  Digital technology has had a very crucial impact in travel and tourism industry and it has been part of the industry for decade, so it should be celebrated.

    “Also by celebrating digital technology in this year’s world tourism day, we  create the necessary awareness about digital technology that has had tremendous impact on the industry. If we go to the more advanced country, it is not just the airlines that use digital technology.

    “Booking for train journey is done using digital technology, booking for tour packages is also done through digital technology. I think it is a welcome development that the UNWTO is using this year’s WTD to focus on this aspect of travel and tourism. A new World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) report aims to help manage growing urban tourism flows and their impact on cities and residents titled  ‘Overtourism’? Understanding and managing urban tourism growth beyond perceptions’, was launched during the 7th UNWTO Global Summit on Urban Tourism, in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

    The report examines how to manage tourism in urban destinations for the benefit of visitors and residents alike. It proposes eleven strategies and 68 measures to help understand and manage visitor growth. The report is the result of collaboration between UNWTO, the Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality (CELTH), Breda University of Applied Sciences and the European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI) of NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences.

    The recent growth of urban tourism requires the sector to ensure sustainable policies and practices that minimize adverse effects of tourism on the use of natural resources, infrastructure, mobility and congestion, as well as its socio-cultural impact. Increased reports of negative attitudes among local populations towards visitors, due to perceived overcrowding, noise and other issues, have led to the spread of terms such as ‘overtourism’ and ‘tourismphobia’ in the media.

    “Governance is key. Addressing the challenges facing urban tourism today is a much more complex issue than is commonly recognized. We need to set a sustainable roadmap for urban tourism and place tourism in the wider urban agenda,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “We must also ensure local communities see and benefit from the positive aspects of tourism”, he added.

    To better understand visitor management challenges in urban contexts, particularly the relationship between residents and visitors, the report includes an analysis of residents’ perceptions towards tourism in eight European cities – Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Munich, Salzburg and Tallinn.

    “There is no one-size-fits-all solution to deal with overtourism. Instead tourism needs to be part of a city-wide strategy for sustainable development”, Dr. Ko Koens of the Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality (CELTH) and Breda University of Applied Sciences concludes. The report recommends a common strategic vision among all stakeholders involved, bringing residents and visitors together and adopting careful planning which respects the limits of capacity of each destination.

    “The involvement and support of local residents are key in achieving sustainable tourism”, Professor Albert Postma of CELTH and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences explains.