Photos: “Collaboration Among Stakeholders Will Grow Nigeria’s Tourism Sector”- Experts #JumiaTourismSummit
Travel and Tourism Experts gathered at the 2017 #JumiaTourismSummit to Discuss the roles of industry stakeholders in shaping the 21st century travelers experience at Morning Side Suites
The Vice President of Mastercard promised to support tourism and travel related events. Kenyan Airways also pledged their support to tourism. The event was also attended by members of the media and Naijalife Magazine publisher and Tega Oghenejobo from Mavin Record were present at the Summit
People are now requesting for Pounded Yam & Jollof Rice in flights” Bakare Abiola ~ Kenya Airways.
Customer wants quality airline services when travelling ” ~ Bakkare Abiola from Kenya Airways.
65,000 Nigerians visited South Africa last year ” – Ikechi Uko, CEO Akwaaba Travel Market.
People are inspired to travel and show it via social media platforms like Instagram. ~ Sam Adeleke of Afrotourism
People are visiting resorts to relax and explore historical places around” ~ Chiamaka from SocialPrefect Tours
We Nigerians prefer to travel to European countries compared to Asian countries.”~Kushal Dutta, M.D. JumiaTravel
Travel is limitless ” ~ M.D. JumiaTravel
The 21st century travelers are becoming more demanding ” – Bakare Abiola, Kenya Airways
Good price & Customer service is very important in the Industry” ~Kushal Dutta MD JumiaTravel.
We need to encourage more African travel through good discounts ” – Bakare Abiola, Kenya Airways
as personalization is fast trending, satisfying the typical Nigerian traveller gets easier ~Banji Alfred
The Govt need to play a major role in promoting more travel destinations in NG ” Chiamaka, from SocialPrefect Tours
Youths are the future of the travel industry due to the effect of Social Media ” ~ Kushal Dutta , JumiaTravel
Travel Experts have stated that cooperation among the major stakeholders in the industry is the panacea for growth. This was stated at the recently concluded Tourism Summit which had the theme “Redefining the Roles of Industry Stakeholders in Shaping the 21st Century Travellers Experience”. The event was put together by Jumia Travel, Nigeria’s leading online travel agency.
Speaking at the event, Ikechi Uko, CEO of Akwaaba International Trade Fair Market said government cannot single-handedly develop the multi-billion dollars industry. He therefore made a call to all stakeholders within the industry to collaborate for the country to attain its goal.
Similarly, the managing director of Jumia Travel Nigeria, Kushal Dutta spoke on the potentials of the country’s tourism. In his remark, he enjoined all the key players in the industry to come together and support the government in building the sector. Kushal also pointed out that there are a lot of tourist destinations that people are choosing to spend their holiday in the country. He encouraged Nigerians to travel within Nigeria and explore the amazing tourist attractions in the country.
“80% of the travels within Nigeria is to Lagos and people are visiting places like Epe Resort, La Campagne, Whispering Palms; in Calabar, Obudu Mountain Resort is also a good tourism attraction but gets seasonal patronage. Outside Nigeria, people visit the likes of Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, and Zanzibar,”
he said.
While commenting on the most popular locations that Nigerians are flying to, the representative of Kenya Airways who was also on the panel, Abiola Bakare revealed that Nigerians mostly travel to London and US, but not necessarily for leisure. He added:
“There’s also a major preference for destinations in Dubai. However, the problem of the foreign exchange greatly affected the travel and tourism industry”.
Also, popular travel blogger and founder of Social Prefect Tours, Chiamaka Obuekwe mentioned Ikogosi in Ekiti State and Olumo Rock in Abeokuta as some of the locations people are looking to travel to.
“Ikogosi and Olumo rock have been the major tourist attractions because many want some kind of adventure. South West is beginning to enjoy tourism traffic because of the opportunities the region provided.”
Chiamaka advised the Nigerian government to do a lot more in promoting tourism and destination sites in the country, adding that Zanzibar and South Africa are doing a good job in promoting the tourism in their countries.
