By Okorie Uguru

 

Dubai’s tourism industry closed a successful decade at the end of 2019, welcoming an all-time high 16.73 million international overnight visitors, an impressive 5.1 per cent increase in tourism volumes, definitively surpassing the global tourism growth forecast by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) by over one per cent.

With momentum firmly tracking against Dubai’s Tourism Vision 2022-25, latest data released by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) reflects the sector’s exponential progress in a compressed time-frame relative to peers, culminating in Dubai being ranked the World’s Fourth Most Visited City for the fifth consecutive year by MasterCard’s Global Destination Cities Index 2019.

Rapidly gaining attraction on the ‘travel wish list’ for today’s global traveller, 2019 not only delivered record tourist arrivals and indicated strong desirability for future visits, but also reinforced tourism’s role as key economic growth driver.

Contributing an impressive 11.5 per cent in GDP value, Dubai’s tourism sector was ranked one of ‘Top 10’ strongest economic share generators, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Cities Report 2019.

The report also ranked Dubai the third largest city in capturing direct international tourism spending with a total of US $27.9 billion.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism, said: “The strong performances across our diversified spectrum of traditional strongholds and fast-growing high value segments have continued to solidify the global competitiveness and sustained resilience of Dubai’s tourism sector.

This past decade, and 2019 in particular, have delivered unmatched acceleration in Dubai’s stature as a ‘Destination of Choice’ for global travellers assuring advancement towards the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to make it the No1 most visited, preferred and revisited global city.

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“While the global economy remains in a state of flux, we can clearly see an exciting opportunity to further grow Dubai’s dominance in the tourism industry in 2020, and to pioneer the next decade for global travel, offering unique and transformative tourism experiences created and driven by our strong appetite for radical innovation and stakeholder collaboration.”

Impressive growth is evidenced by Dubai’s top six source markets – India, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), United Kingdom (UK), Oman, China and Russia – delivering over seven million visitors in 2019, with 9 of the top 10 countries crossing half a million visitors each for the first time, highlighting the robust diversity of Dubai’s base for tourist attraction.

Results reveal India once again retains its No.1 market status, drawing the highest visitation with nearly two million visitors, thanks to high-impact delivery of timely, seasonal messaging, and segment specific campaigns.

The department’s investments yielded strong stabilizing returns, strategically tapping into the close association and diaspora affinity, which Dubai shares with this market, countering the relentless spate of outbound tourism challenges including airline industry degradation and geopolitical volatility.

Coming in strong at No. 2, KSA consolidates its position as the GCC’s highest traffic generator with 1.6 million Saudis visiting Dubai – commendable in a year that saw a massive surge in availability of competitive domestic tourist products, from attractions and sporting events to entertainment and festivals, for the market.

 

 

OKORIE UGURU

 

Travel, tourism and hospitality professionals from around the world will have an opportunity to explore the next generation of in-destination trends and innovations at the Middle East’s first ever edition of Arival Dubai @ ATM, which will take place alongside Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2020 at Dubai World Trade Centre from 19 to 22 April.

The dedicated forum, which will take place on Sunday, April 19, will enable vendors, agents and operators of tours, activities and attractions to gain invaluable insights into the latest trends and challenges impacting the in-destination industry, as well as improving customer experience and business development throughout the Middle East market.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director Middle East, Arabian Travel Market, said, “According to the latest data from research firm Phocuswright, tours, activities and attractions are currently the third largest and fastest growing sector within the travel and tourism industry, representing approximately US$180 billion in global travel spend annually.

“One third of tours, activities and attractions are booked online at present with the Middle East representing one of the world’s fastest growing online travel experience markets and we can see a pattern forming.”

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Given their competitive edge, it is clear that professionals within the tours and attractions segment in the Middle East as well as associated travel brands need to invest in the latest technology and innovative online booking tools in order to capitalise on this rapidly expanding travel experiences sector.

Delegates at the inaugural Arival Dubai @ ATM forum will have access to a packed conference agenda, featuring high-profile keynote speakers, with Arival Co-Founder and CEO Douglas Quinby, kicking off proceedings with a session on the current and future in-destination trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the Middle East sector.

The forum will also feature ‘Ask Me Anything Interviews’ with a range of senior executives from leading attractions and online agencies within the region.

There will also be several round-table discussions on innovations and distributions impacting the in-destination industry and changing consumer behaviour, as well as providing insights into the key technological trends in online booking, connectivity, mobile ticketing, revenue management, and digital marketing best practices designed specifically for tour and attraction operators.

OKORIE UGURU

 

THE 2020 edition of the annual International Tourism and Transport Summit (ITTS) will hold at the Abuja International Conference Centre between April 27 and 28.

The theme for this year will be: Tourism and transportation connectivity and mobility for sustainable growth and development.

The theme for this year’s summit: Tourism and Transportation Inter-dependences for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.

In addition to other speakers, the heads of the Nigerian Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) andNigerian College of Aviation (NCAT) will also be among the speakers.

Speaking on this year’s event, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Chief Abiodun Odusanwo,  said the summit brings together  stakeholders,  regulators, decision makers and captains in transport and tourism to come and exchange ideas.

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He said participants at the two-day event will be drawn from major key players and stakeholders in the transportation and tourism sectors from the international community in critical areas such as the air transportation, meaning, airlines, tour and travel operators, administrators of the aviation industry; the maritime industry which includes sea transport, boats and sea cruising operators; road transportation, including major transport owners, car hire services, Uber, NURTW, RTEAN, road traffic and safety agencies, including the FRSC, NPF, NSCDC, motor insurance companies, state transport ministries and agencies and rail transport services.

Others are operators of the tourism and hospitality industry, including tourism resort operators, national parks services; museums and monuments, state tourism ministries and boards, festivals and tourism event managers, hoteliers, restaurants and fast food operators, conferences and events managers, as well as service providers in the banking, oil and gas industries.

Speaking further on what the ITTS has achieved, Odusanwo said the summit had succeeded in bringing a synergy of transport and tourism sectors.

By Okorie Uguru

 

Governor Emeka Ihedioha  again has disclosed that the future of Imo State is predicated on tourism and hospitality.

This is as he also stated that the state shall henceforth accord priority to allocation of lands for development and economic purpose.

Governor Ihedioha disclosed this when he inaugurated the Imo State Tourism Board at the Sam Mbakwe Expanded Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Owerri, Wednesday.

He noted that tourism remains the driving force that will boost economic development of Imo State.

“Imo State has the capacity to take the lead in the tourism sector in the country.  We can make a fortune from this sector and rake in N3 billion monthly to our Internal Generated Revenue, IGR, from the tourism sector alone.

“Our vision is to boost tourism in the State, develop an entertainment city and turn Imo State into a tourism destination. We have the potential, therefore we can achieve it.”

He called on members of the Board to explore the sector and give considerable attention to the abundant human resources and tourism potentials in the State.

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Governor Ihedioha noted that his administration is committed to supporting willing investors particularly those who intend to invest in the tourism sector, by providing land and the enabling environment.

“We are ready to work and support those who have ideas to develop our State. We will continue to utilize our potentials to ensure we make appreciable impact in developing our dear State in the next two years.”

While expressing optimism in the ability of the members of the Board to live up to his charge, he tasked them to strive to make Imo State number one tourist destination in the country.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Board, Charles Anudu, on behalf of the members, expressed hope to ensuring the development of the sector to become a major revenue earner for the State.

“It is our hope that we shall impact the sector by attracting new investments with a view to creating jobs and actualize the governor’s mandate for the sector.”

He expressed gratitude to the governor for finding them worthy to undertake the task, assuring that, they will live up to expectations.

Members of the Board include; Mrs Ngozi Ngoka, DG/Secretary; Prof. ABC Duruaku; Chief CMC Onuoha; Paul Onwuanibe; Chidi Okoro.

By Okorie Uguru

 

Ota, an industrial community in Ogun State, will be hosting this year’s Egungun festival this month. The festival will hold from the 14th to the 19 of this month.

The festival is popular with the Ota Awori people and the organizers are working towards elevating the festival to a tourists products for local and inbound to tourists to come and watch.

In a recent media outing, the traditional ruler of Ota, the Olota,  Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, identified the Egungun festival as veritable festival that could developed into a tourism product.

He said: “With the huge tourism potential we are blessed with in the country, we should not be complaining about lack of jobs, individuals must be creative and tap into these tourism potential.

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The Egungun festival is an opportunity to latch on by the unemployed, different communities have their masquerade which should be developed and showcased to the world.

“Nigerians need not look up to the government for job creation, government is only meant to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

The second tallest storey-building in Nigeria is in Ota, it should be better developed to attract international tourists; a lot more monumental buildings across communities can also be converted to tourists sites.”

With Okorie Uguru

 

Mixing the concept of human existence and relationship with feel good street revelry doesn’t look like a good idea. One needs a kind of somber atmosphere for introspection and soul searching while the other is about letting out steam and allow party atmosphere take over.

Destination Cross River has become a kind of annual pilgrimage for many. The tourism offerings give visitors the opportunity to unwind and rejuvenate for a new.

However, the organizers of Carnival Calabar have succeeded in creating not just an entertainment spectacle, but the opportunity to discuss issues of global importance.

Carnival Calabar has moved from being an entertainment spectacle but has become  a platform to inform and an educate.

Speaking on this, the Chairman, Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, said: “Carnival Calabar ignites and galvanizes itself into a beauty that informs, educates and entertains the world.

These glamorous and generous displays of creativity in all aspects of the performing arts owe all to the properly thought out themes which the leadership of the state government, the governor, spend several hours of labour to come up with.

Themes that would resonate with the state, national and regional as well as global needs and challenges as the guiding philosophy to give direction to the bands in engaging the elements of theatre.”

This year witnessed another burst of revelry mixed with creativity.  The message is brought to the fore through the bursts of creativity from the bands.

The theme for this year is ‘Humanity’. All the bands created their floats and dance to rhyme with the theme. The dance and costumes were created to go with the theme.

On hand to flag off Africa’s biggest street party on Saturday, December 28 was the Cross River State governor. He used the opportunity to talk about the concept of humanity and why it is important to focus on it.

He said: “If goods and services can move across the world, the world would be globalized, the extreme poverty reduced.

If goods and services can be allowed to move from one continent to another, why then is the movement of people restricted.

“Perhaps if I have not passed any message, the strongest message is that humanity is the strongest religion that the mankind must adopt.

It is not in the Bible or Koran that if one knows that his or her neighbour has not eaten, you should share your piece of food with him or her.

“If you practise humanity, you will know that the poor man besides you whose child cannot go to school should be helped out. ”.

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After cutting the tape, Ayade and his wife, Dr. Linda Ayade, took to the street with dance moves. Around him were the Cross River State Deputy Governor, Professor Evara Esu, the state’s former first lady, Mrs. Onari Duke, and other dignitaries who were equally in carnival mood.

Some Nollywood stars were also on hand to add more glitz to the revelry. They included Monalisa Chinda, Mr. Desmond Eliot,  Francis Duru and many others.

The Governor Band, a non-competing band, was the first to hit the street.  Other bands: Bayside, Freedom, Masta Blasta, Passion 4 and Seagull later followed. The excitement was palpable.

There were restrictions on key streets in and out of Calabar metropolis. As it has become the ritual annually, visitors and residents of Calabar massed along the streets to watch the carnival.

From the 11-11 Roundabout through the Bogobiri area of the first adjudication point by the Mary Slessor  statue. For more than 14 hours, the whole of Calabar metropolis turned into one huge party hall. The huge number  on the streets tells the entire story.

At the end of the long hours of performances on the streets, Passion Four and Freedom bands emerge as joint winners. They were followed by Seagull Band in second position, while the Bayside Band of ex-Governor Donald Duke came third.

Despite the long hours on the streets, people were still in party mood and trooped out the international carnival at  U.J. Esuene Stadium.

The international carnival, a brain child of Governor Ayade had 32 countries in attendance. They included Mexico, Ghana, The Gambia, Mexico, Turkey, Brazil, Egypt, Russia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Tanzania, Chile, Indonesia, Vietnam, Lithuania, Swaziland, Lesotho and many others.

One major country that was conspicuously absent was South Africa. In the past, South Africa used to come with two or more troupes.

There was no representation this time. Many believe it was still the  fallout of the xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South  Africa last September. All the presentations by different countries in attendance were exciting.

The people of Cross River have mastered the art of organizing seamless carnivals. This year’s was another proof of this.