‘Nigerians travel more for religion than business’
How well would you say Nigeria’s travel sector has done in the last one year? It was a difficult year for the travel and tourism sector and for the country in general, in 2017. Regardless, there are differences now especially because we are out of recession and the economy is improving. Last year, the rate of travel was about 35 percent but now, it’s gone up about 70, 80 percent which is significant. Travel is part of us as humans recession or not. There will always be reasons to travel. Saudi Arabia gave 95,000 slots for Hajj and Nigeria used it up.
What in your view is the most reason people travel for?
I would say Nigerians travel more for religious than business purposes. It is not likely that at one point in time, you will find 100 people travelling for business but for religious activities you could find even a million people making the exodus to and fro at the same time to the same destination and for the same religious purpose. Also, they most likely will be staying in the same location. If the reason is business it would be individual or in much smaller groups.
Africa seems to be drawing more tourists inbound and away from European destinations. Do you agree?
For Nigerians, I would say so because Nigeria is making efforts to reduce expenses by exploring more and more of Africa than Europe. Kenya is fast becoming the preferred destination for many, as against Europe. For now the African countries with the highest traffic are South Africa and Kenya.
What category or class of people travel more in Nigeria?
You cannot actually know the class of people that travel more. You will agree with me that a lot of people travel both corporate, business, students and individuals. The class of people that travel more are not even the corporate or business but people that go on holiday. It used to be corporate before but eventually, the whole thing change as a result of a ban on certain programmes abroad.
There is the general belief that Nigerian travel agents prefer to patronise international carriers rather than indigenous ones. Are passengers wrong to think so because they think this is the reason for high cost of travel fares?
Actually, travel agents prefer them because they offer a wider range of options of destinations as against indigenous ones. This will not change except the indigenous carriers begin to match up to them. Our local carriers generally only go to the UK and Saudi Arabia. They don’t go to the US or South America and the likes where Nigerians usually go. International carriers with their multiple destinations, give agents a lot more advantage.
To improve inbound tourism in the country, what would you advise?
I personally think more should be invested in the aviation industry because everywhere in the world, aviation and tourism are essential parts of their economies. But this is not the case in Nigeria in spite of our immense tourism potentials. I can’t say that government on various levels have taken the necessary steps to promote the sector. Until this happens, we will not reap any benefits. Also, it is important for citizens to have dependable transport networks. I advocate for a national carrier and learnt that plans are ongoing to come up with one. This could be a sure way to boost Nigeria’s aviation industry. Today, most African countries like Ethiopia, South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana have their carriers and are doing very well. Why not Nigeria? If we have one, the patronage question raised, would not come up.
In your view can Nigerians grow its tourism industry without input for foreigners?
No, I don’t agree because when you look at tourism and analyse the country’s geographic location, it only shows you how much tourism surrounds us. Every part of Nigeria is a potential tourism destination which we should start harnessing to grow our domestic tourism before foreigners will be attracted to invest or to explore. They will not just leave their homes if we haven’t proved to them we have something to offer. This can only happen when we make deliberate and appropriate steps to something about it. Otherwise we’ll be going in circles.
What should indigenous carriers do to attract more patronage?
I am of the opinion that if government invested more in the sector, it would grow. Also, these airlines can partner with international carriers so that they can expand their number of destinations.