Mbanefo: Nigeria centrepiece of hospitality
Ibrahim Ramalan
Experts at the World Travel Market 2014 have dispelled fears that Ebola disease in some parts of West Africa might affect the growth of travel and tourism in the continent. Speaking at the official opening of this year’s WTM held in Excel Centre, London recently, Head of 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 travelers will always adjust. Ebola has so far a minimal impact on travels and tours in Africa,” said the Travel and Tourism Futurologist. Ian Yeoman.
Bremner noted that for Africa to further boost its tourism industry however, 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.
Among the participating African countries in this year’s outing is Nigeria represented by Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) led by its Director General, Dr. Sally Mbanefo.
At the Nigeria stand are some private tour operators such as Arik Air, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN),
La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Eko Hotel and Suite, African Destinations, Treaven Limited Travels and Tours, TBI Tour Brokers International, West Africa Tourism as well as Keystone Bank.
Others are Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
