Nigeria's tourism project is worth billions

‘Nigeria‘s tourism project is worth billions’

The multi-billion naira Kashimbila Dam was top on the list of tourism projects marketed at the 35th World Travel Market (WTM) in London,  that attracted over 50,000 travel executives from across the globe. At the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC)’s stand at the four days event, 20 indigenous firms exhibited, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME, who was in London. 

For four days, a documentary on the construction works at the ongoing multi-billion naira Kashimbila multi-purpose dam in Taraba State was screened. The documentary showed, among others, the dam’s airstrip, hydro power capacity, height, length, reservoir’s capacity and irrigation area.

At the far end of Nigeria’s pavilion were some demonstrations of the production process of Adire by artists of the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The Ogun team, led by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs Yewande Amusan, demonstrated how Adire (tie and dye) is produced to encourage the younger generation.

These and many other groups’ presentations lured tourists and visitors to the Nigerian stand at the World Travel Market (WTM) held in London between November 3 and 6. It attracted over 50,000 senior travel executives. You want to ask what dam has got to do with tourism.

According to Director, Dams and Reservoir Operations, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Reginald Ikpeawujo, aside the main economic benefits of energy, water supplies and job creation, the Kashimbila Dam project is incorporating the development of tourism sites – Wildlife Park, water sports and a tourism village.

The dam is located between the towns of Kashimbila and Gamovo on River Katsina-Ala in Taraba State.

Unlike last year, Nigeria recorded an improved performance with about 15 private firms showcasing different tourism products and services’s at this year’s World Travel Market.

Nigeria’s leading airline Arik Air, Eko Hotel and Suites, Skye Bank, Treavan Limited Travels and Tours, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism led the pack of exhibitors at the NTDC’s stand at the event.

NTDC Director-General Mrs Sally Mbanefo described this year’s outing as a greater improvement on past editions, saying the success of the corporation’s efforts was a function of the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to the growth of tourism. She said the corporation was also enjoying the support of the private sector, especially the financial and aviation sub-sectors.

“Private sector must be involved in the promotion and development of tourism. Already, we have the support of key players in the sector, such as Arik Air, Keystone Bank and Eko Hotel and Suites. In fact, transport is a very critical element of tourism development. We are also in partnership with some state governments and parastatals, which is why the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism are showcasing at this year’s World Travel Market in London,” she said.

Managing Director, Treavan Limited Travels and Tours, Mrs Ifie Ezenwa-Ugwoke said there are lots of good things many do not know about Nigeria, which she said, is part of the Dream Nigeria package the company is championing. She noted that since the launch of Fascinating Nigeria last year, the tourism sector has been making progress, adding that ‘’we cannot make great impact overnight it must be gradual.’’

Despite reported cases of Ebola disease in some parts of West Africa, experts at the WTM 2014 have expressed optimism in the future of tourism and travel business in the continent, saying Ebola will not affect the growth of travel and tourism.

Head, Travel and Tourism Research, Euromonitor International, Caroline Bremner said that despite the numerous challenges, the continent has recorded a three per cent increase in the influx of tourists into Africa. According to her, the percentage growth is not a very bad development.

She said: “At the moment, there is a three per cent growth in the influx of tourists into Africa. This is not very bad considering the outbreak of Ebola and conflicts in the continent. However, Ebola is an isolated health challenge in West African region.

“There are always diseases but travellers will always adjust. Ebola has so far a minimal impact on travels and tours in Africa”, said Travel and Tourism Futurologist, Ian Yeoman.

Bremner noted that for Africa to further boost its tourism industry, governments in the continent need to work towards promoting health and safety measures; and the messages have to be very positive.

She added that African governments must also engage potential visitors on different media platforms, including social media while ensuring that they provide warm welcome when they come. She, however, identified transportation as a critical element in building capacity and encouraging influx of tourists to destinations. She regretted that the aviation industry in Africa is faced by competitive restrictions.

“There are good aviation operators in Africa but there seems to be restrictions that serve as impediments. Governments in Africa should encourage competition in the aviation business”.

In his remark, Senior Exhibition Director, WTM, Simon Press, stated that this year’s outing will facilitate deals worth about £2.5 billion in travel industry contracts between exhibitors and buyers from WTM buyers’ club. This figure is against the sum of £2 billion recorded last year.

He also informed that WTM Portfolio, which comprises Arabian Travel Market, WTM Latin America and WTM Africa, is the catalyst for deals worth almost £4 billion.

“Despite this clear desire to conduct business, the industry faces many huddles, but I am pleased to see that report finds the high level of industry optimism for 2015”, Press added.

According to WTM 2014 industry report, UK holidaymakers predicted the end of physical passports, which will instead be replaced by the use of fingerprint technology at customs and visa controls. “Nine out of 10 senior industry executives said that this was likely by 2049, as did almost two-third of UK holidaymakers,” the report added.

One of the panellists at the opening session of the WTM, Ian Yeoman, a Futurologist, shared his thought on where he sees the travel industry going: “The concept of biometrics has been around since the 19thcentury when Alponse Bertilon developed the concept for French police and today it is the central concept for securing personal identity. Biometrics goes beyond passports; it is the central feature of facial recognition systems that will appear on Google glasses. Disney is already using fingerprint scanning to fight against forged resort passes.”

Travel industry is confident that recent high-profile sporting events will see an increase in bookings to those destinations. “Almost seven out of 10 industry executives believe Rio, as one of the host cities of the 2014 Football World cup and also where the 2016 Olympics will take place will see an increase in bookings. And 15 percent of UK holidaymakers agreed, saying they were likely to visit Rio following the World Cup,” the report said. On space tourism, 34 per cent of industry executives believe that despite the recent Virgin Galactic crash, space travel will be in place by 2024.