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.
Category: Tourism
-
SSI promotes Yoruba culture, cuisine with ‘Faaji Repete’
-
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.
-
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.
-
South Africa holds Women’s Day
Early this month, the South African Consulate in Nigeria celebrated South Africa’s National Women’s Day 2018 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. The consulate hosted dignitaries, media partners, stakeholders and Consuls General including Ghana, Equatorial Guinea and several other countries to a night of centenary celebrations.
The National Women’s Day is an annual South African public holiday which commemorates the 1956 women’s march in Pretoria to petition against the country’s pass law and this year, South Africa remembers Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu, a political activist, a nurse and one of the important leaders of anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. She amongst other women spear-headed the march of 1956 and this year, South Africa celebrated her centenary.
Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu, who was often referred to as the “Mother of the Nation,” lived with the people and led them to rise against the abominable system of apartheid and misogyny. From Cape Town, Soweto to Huhundi and Galeshewe, she was known for her warmth as a leader, whose love for freedom was unwavering.
In his address, South Africa’s Consul General Mr. Darkey Africa talked about the legacy Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu left behind “We learn about leadership, through her suffering, we learn about the patience of a nurse to conquer pain. We learn about her burning desire to release her people from the pain of oppression. We learn about selflessness and service to humanity”.
The Consul General, to end his speech, made a call-to-action to emulate the life and times of Albertina Sisulu by intensifying efforts in the society against subjugation of women. “Mama Sisulu calls on us to forever strive for this ideal, to emancipate women so that Africa can prosper. We must now begin to nurture a 100 more Albertina Sisulus. None amongst us can be her, but we can emulate her example, know her story and attempt to help humanity”.
This year is of special significance as it commemorates the birth of Albertina Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and the formation of the Bantu Women’s League – the Bantu Women’s League was the first women’s organization in South Africa which was founded in 1918.
South African Tourism alongside South African Consulate thanks partners and friends on the continued support of the now annual celebration: a wonderful opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements.
-
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.
-
UNWTO’s report to help cities manage impact of ‘overtourism’
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.
-
Qatar listed among most visa-friendly countries
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has listed the Middle East country of Qatar among the most visa-friendly countries in the world. This was based on some of the initiatives taken by the country to improve visits to the country.
The actions, among others, included introducing an online platform for efficient and transparent visa processing and e-visas, as well as a free 96-hour transit visa doubling the time stopover passengers can remain in the country.
As a result of these measures, Qatar’s visa openness ranking has leapt to 8th in the world from 177th back in 2014. Since the introduction of these changes, year-on-year arrivals from India have grown 18 per cent, from China 43 per cent and from Russia a huge 366 per cent. None of these markets now need a visa to visit Qatar.
In 2014, Qatar commissioned a visa facilitation study for the country, which UNWTO prepared based on its global openness data.
“Qatar has implemented and overachieved the recommendations of the study, setting an example by spearheading safe and seamless travel, enhancing the visitor experience and better placing itself to improve mobility for its citizens,” said UNWTO Secretary-General ZurabPololikashvili.
“Openness and ease of access are crucial elements of the visitor experience. We have committed to making it a seamless experience, even as visitors plan their journey. We will continue to work with our partners on streamlining the immigration process at Qatar’s ports of entry, as well as ensuring that all visitor visas and visa procedures are electronic,” said Hassan Al Ibrahim, Qatar Tourism Authority’s chairman.
UNWTO measures the mobility of citizens based on their ability to travel seamlessly to other countries. While Qatar currently ranks 106th in the world in terms of mobility, 20 of the countries benefiting from the Qatari visa waiver are already reciprocating, enhancing the mobility of Qatar’s citizens.
Facilitating seamless travel is crucial to the continued promotion of tourism as a development vehicle and potential pillar of achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
-
Jollof Rice War holds tomorrow as 2018 Akwaaba kicks off
The 2018 Jollof Rice War involving Nigeria, Ghana and the Gambia will hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos as the 2018 Akwaaba West African Travel Fair, the 14th edition, kicks off tomorrow.
Delegates from more than 20 countries from within and outside Africa are expected to attend the fair. There will also be Nigerian Culture Day organized by the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC).
Lagos State, the host city, will have a special day at the fair on Tuesday, September 11. The Lagos Day will see special cultural and artistic presentations to showcase the best of Lagos. There will also be a tour of the city to provide visiting tour operators with firsthand knowledge of the city.
The state will have a pavilion for the three-day event and visitors can sample traditional Lagos cuisine from the September 9 to 11.
In addition to these, Lagos will take international delegates to Akwaaba on a city tour to provide visiting tour operators with firsthand experience of one of the most populated cities in Africa to help them market its attraction to their clients.
Lagos is Africa’s entertainment capital and it is a leading business destination. So a lot of entertainments have been lined up to make the stay in Lagos memorable.
The state’s active hosting is in line with the effort by the current administration in the state to transform the city, Africa’s most populous city and the second largest economy in West Africa, in creating an enduring architecture for the business of tourism to thrive.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) will storm Lagos with a high-powered delegation led by its Chief Executive, Mr. Akwasi Agyeman. The team will include Nollywood actor, Van Vicker. There will also be members of the Ghana Tourism Federation and members of the Ghana Chef Association who will participate in the second edition of the Jollof Rice War with Nigeria and Gambia.
Also the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) will celebrate the Nigerian Day tomorrow, same day as the Jollof Rice War involving Nigeria, Ghana and the Gambia. There will be exhibitions by leading tourism and travel companies across Africa, aviation conference, youth in tourism conference, Gambia Day event, Ethiopia Day, Africa top 100 tour operators’ conference and awards, thrills by the Carnival Calabar group, a taste of Dubai, Namibia, South Africa and other destinations.
Akwaaba African Travel Market is the biggest travel expo in West Africa and has been hosted in Lagos for the past 13 years and it annually attracts visitors and exhibitors from over 20 nations.
-
Ooni happy over Araba Agbaye’s appointment
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), has welcomed the new Araba Agbaye, , Chief Owolabi Awodotun (Orishada11).
He was speaking when the Awo Olodumerindinlogun paid him a courtesy visit to present the new Araba Agbaye- elect to the Ooni. The Ooni also used the opportunity to unveil the Olojo festival holding at the end of this month to journalists.
After the demise of the former holder of the position, the late Adisa Aworeni Awoyemi, the Agiri descendants of Oketase compound, Moore Quarters, Ile-Ife, Osun State, chose Chief Owolabi Awodotun Aworeni, the Afedigba Awo Olodumerindinlogun, as the Araba elect.
The Ooni used the opportunity to thank the entire Agiri descendants of Oke-Itase compound especially elders and youths of the compound for choosing the new Araba. He advised the Araba to be patient, tolerant, accommodating, peace-loving, and generous.
Chief Owolabi Awodotun Aworeni is a professional and well trained Ifa priest who learned the art of Ifa from his late father, Chief Adisa Aworeni Awoyemi. Ifa training later took him to Oluwo Fawole of Agesinyowa compound of Ile-Ife in the late 1990s.
His passion for Ifa has since established his name both in the country and outside the shore. He has travelled to different parts of the world extending frontiers of Ifa knowledge. This has taken him to Venezuela, Mexico, Italy, USA, United Kingdom, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Cuba and host of others where he also has Omo-Awo.
He has received numerous awards and honours in promoting and propagating Ifa, Yoruba history and Culture.
Araba Agbaye is the highest Ifa priest in the world. It is the Pope of all Ifa practitioners both in and Diaspora. Since inception of Ifa practices, the Araba at Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba civilizations and culture is recognized as the Araba Agbaye. It is from Araba Agbaye that other Yoruba Araba derived their titles from including those in diaspora. The Araba Agbaye is a direct descendant of Orunmila. That is, Araba Agbaye title whose meaning can be explained as a big silk cotton Tree. Due to its big/huge size it could be refers to as father of trees which is very pertinent to the importance of the title. Thus, with this literally meaning, Araba Agbaye is the father of all Awo Olodumerindinlogun, Araba, Oluwo and Ifa practitioners.
-
Ojude Oba: Ijebu lady horse riders show class
Ojude Oba Festival, the annual cultural fiesta of Ijebu people, is held on the third day after the Muslim festival of Eid el Kabir. It is a festival that is arguably the most colourful traditional festival in Africa. The festival celebrates the rich culture of Ijebu people.
According to history, the festival started in 1892 when the then Oba of Ijebuland, Oba Adesumpo Tunwase, gave a land to the Muslim faithful in Ijebu to build the Ijebu Central Mosque.
In appreciation of this gesture, the Muslim community, after the Eid el Kabir festival, visited the king to pay homage and thank him for the gesture. It subsequently evolved into an annual event by the Muslem community in Ijebu land.
The procession is led by the warrior families of Ijebuland called the Balogun.
Later, the festival shifted from being an exclusive Muslims’ event to become a festival for all the sons and daughters of Ijebuland. It was the current Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, that made these changes.
He introduced the regberegbe parade. He made the event a major tourism showpiece where Ijebu heritage is celebrated.
One event that has been there right from the beginning and has survived all the changes are the parade of horsemen. The families and descendants of warriors ride to the palace on horses. The horses are colourfully decorated. So, also the riders in the family attire with their family banners.
The horse riders come after the regbe regbe age group parade. The entry of the horse riders (eleshin) into the Ojude Oba arena is normally electrifying. Horse riders come with a certain element of might to showcase their families as among the illustrious in Ijebuland.
The drums beat faster accompanied with family songs. The horse riders are accompanied by some local hunters who would occasionally release loud gunshots into the air. The advent of the horsemen into the arena immediately raises the tempo of activities.
Women, children and even some men scamper to safety to avoid being trampled upon by the horses that become agitated with the huge number of people at the arena, the loud noise of drumming and sound of gunshots.
There are women from the different Balogun’s families who thread on this masculine terrain of horse riders. They are like amazons properly kitted for horse riding and soaked in the excitement. They dance with their horses and generally display their dexterity by making the horse jump with its forelegs, to the admiration of onlookers.
These lady horse riders of Ijebu, while bringing their dexterity on horsebacks to the fore, add a blend of beauty and fashion sense to the Ojude Oba horse riding.
Their dressing is mostly stylish agbada with cap. These female horse riders are between 20 and 70.
The first this reporter spoke with from the Balogun Odunuga family said she was 74 years and had been riding horses for 45 years. She was brimming with excitement in blue agbada with milk colour embroidery. She said was going into the Ojude Oba arena to dance shaku shaku on the horse. Asked whether she had ever had an accident on horse since she started riding 45 years ago, she said there was no time she had an accident.
Omolara Balogun, another female horse rider, is in her early 20s. She wore a stylish agbada with dark sunglasses to march. She looked pretty and comfortable on horse. She said her foray into horse riding started about two years ago. “It is a family traditional which we are upholding. It is a rite I have to perform every year. It is a family responsibility and equally something I enjoy. I enjoy it a lot.”
She said she took over from her father when he became too old to ride. Asked if she was forced, she said she was not. She said it was something she enjoyed doing.
Another lady, Foluso Kuku , 56, said she had been riding the Ojude Oba horse for about 10 years now.
Due to a large turnout of both Ijebu indigenes and tourists at Ijebu Ode for the festival, corporate organisations like Globacom, Nigerian Breweries and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) used the leverage offered by the festival to promote their brands.
In a goodwill message to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Adetona, on the occasion of this year’s festival, the founder of FCMB Group who is also the Olori Omo-Oba Akile Ijebu, Otunba Subomi Balogun, expressed his gratitude to the Awujale of Ijebuland, for the paramount ruler’s selflessness in attending to the different requests and yearnings of the people of Ijebuland.
He said: ” I sincerely appreciate the amazing grace of the same Almighty God we share together, much more for sparing our lives to celebrate yet another Ojude Oba Festival. The festival provides us- all your children and subjects, the period when we gather to pay you homage and demonstrate our affection for a very unique monarch, an exceptional father figure and the paramount ruler who has continued to endear himself to his people.
“Apart from being the Olori Ebi (the head of the family, by the grace of Almighty God and interestingly not in contest by all who admire the grace of our God), as your Olori Omo-Oba (the head of princes and princesses), I will continue to lead the way in showing our appreciation by being very close to you and showing my total loyalty to you.
”For all true sons and daughters of Ijebuland, the Ojude Oba Festival is more than an event for us. It has become a long-standing yearly tradition we look forward to as a unifying platform and a tourist attraction. For over a century, the festival has become an internationally acclaimed event that has gone a long way to promote our cultural heritage and further unify humanity. As a socially responsible corporate citizen, we recognise that respect for our heritage is important as a catalyst of cultural diversity and a guarantee of sustainable development”.
In the same vein, the Group Chief Executive of FCMB, Ladi Balogun, congratulated the monarch for upholding the values of Ijebuland and raising the status of the event over the years. He reiterated the commitment of the financial institution to the longevity of the Ojude Oba Festival
His words: ”The Ojude Oba Festival, for us at FCMB, is not just another event. It is a pride to us, being a major platform through which we connect with the community and promote our nation’s diversity through purposeful partnership. The annual display of rich cultural heritage via the festival attracts tourists from across the globe and Ijebu indigenes in the diaspora, boosting trade and the hospitality sector in the region.
“It is time to begin to see the Ojude Oba Festival as a fulcrum to inspire individuals, awaken their entrepreneurial spirit and encourage the birthing of other endeavours that stimulate development in a sustainable manner”.
With the level of enthusiastic participation of the indigenes of Ijebu, both old and young, the Ojude Oba would continue to be a showpiece to display the rich culture and heritage of Ijebu people.