Tourism and Leisure in 2014
The year in 2014 had it’s own share of ups and downs in the tourism industry. Omolola Itayemi writes about it
TAbuja Carnival 2014… he 2014 Abuja National Carnival was marred from the beginning with a poor turnout. Only six out of the 36 states came for the carnival. Abuja Carnival executed solely by the ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation was a disaster waiting to happen from issues such as inadequate publicity to inability to secure the streets resulting in unnecessary traffic gridlock. So bad and distasteful was this year’s show that carnival floats at the event were mounted on rick-shaws, popularly known as “Keke NAPEP”, a departure from the previous years The opening ceremony slated for 10am could not start, as it was outlined in the programme of the event, until 5pm as many participants, who could not wait for the kick-off left in annoyance. Durbar, cultural night, masquerade fiesta, boat regatta and command performance, which are some of the many ways of interpreting and expressing the particular theme for each carnival, were all discarded.
Nigeria Makes Strong Appearance at World Travel Market 2014…
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’s stand at the four days event, 20 indigenous firms exhibited.
At the far end of Nigeria’s pavilion were some demonstrations of the production process of Adire by 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. 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 ef- forts 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.
Baton Change Hands at NIHOTOUR and NCAC…
Baton of leadership changed hands at National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) as the new Director General, Mrs. Chika Balogun assumed office.
The new boss, who has been in office since September is yet to make any prog- ress in overhauling the declining fortunes of the parastatal as the NIHOTOUR head office in Lagos is still depreciating. Quoting inadequate funding, she expressed her readiness to seek intervention from the private sector.
But poor funding was not a problem when it hosted a one–day hospitality and tourism stakeholders summit with the theme, ‘Training the manpower of the future,’ in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation on December 16.
As an Institute that is saddled with the responsibility of training operators in the tourism and hospitality industry, Balogun pledged to review the academic curriculum to stimulate quality of training and the value it adds to the industry.
This might just be the stimulus the agency needs as it has lost its role to other private hospitality institutes both in and out of the country. We can only hope she will do better than her predecessor, Munzali Dantata
However, the need to own a hotel for direct training as agreed with the management for tourism and hospitality students and operators is not necessary for now. Emphasis should be placed on getting the institute to its pride of place.
Keshi assums office as DG, National Council for Arts and Culture…
A new helmsman, Mrs Dayo Keshi assumed office as the Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Abuja in September. Keshi is no stranger to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation where she retired as a director months before being appointed by the same ministry. With over 30 years’ experience in the Federal Civil Service, her experience might just be the joker she needs to convince stakeholders in the industry that a younger, vibrant hands are nowhere to be found to take up such sensitive positions.