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Friday 11 December 2015

Saturday 14 November 2015

Hon. Aminu Tambuwal to chair Africa Travel Awards at Akwaaba

The Executive Governor of Sokoto state in Nigeria and the former Speaker of the Nigerian National Assembly HonorableAminu Tambuwal will be the Chairman at the African Travel Awards and Dinner. The African Travel awards is one of the high points of the 3day Travel event and comes up on the 1st day, 22nd Nov from 7pm. He would be accompanied by the Hon. Commissioner of Commerce, Industries and Tourism, Sokoto State- Alh. Aminu Bello.
As repeat Exhibitors at Akwaaba, Sokoto state would be showcasing her rich Tourism Products to both international and local audience which is what Akwaaba as a platform offers.
Some of the Awards to be presented at the event include Best Hotel in Africa, Airline of the Year-Africa, Best Resort in Africa, Africa most friendly City, and Best Airport in Africa, with WaturiWaMatu presented with the African Legend Award for her role in promoting Tourism in East-Africa.
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This comes as the enlarged committee of the Africa Travel Awards over t
he week completed their nominations of Airlines, Hotels and Destinations for this year’s award.  The Pan African committee made up of Tourism professionals from all over Africa usually nominates candidates for the award categories and the shortlist is now presented to the public for online voting.  After the public vote the committee members will now ratify the results before it is published
Africa Travel Awards is an African initiative to celebrate pioneers and exceptional providers of quality service in Africa. The uniqueness of the awards which is in its 5th year is that the committee is completely African in composition and the choices are about Africa.
Past Recipients of the Award includes former President of Gambia, Sir DawdaJawara, Dr Danny Jordaan, the CEO of South Africa world Cup LOC, Capt Irene Mutungi, the first lady Airline Captain in Africa, Capt Desta Zeru the first African to captain a B787, CaptChinyereKalu, first female Pilot in Nigeria and a host of other pioneers in Africa
Membership of the Award committee is drawn from over 15 African countries.  The new committee members are Siphelele Luthuli from South Africa, KhomotsoKelsall from South Africa, FifiRurungwa from Rwanda, OlanmaOjukwu from Benin Republic, WaturiWaMatu from Kenya, Nancy Sam from Ghana, Chiquita Johnson from Liberia.
They are joining other active members like Chief Chika Onyeani New York based Publisher of African Times,  Sheikh TejanNyang of Gambia, Ali Diouf of Senegal, Denis Gathanju of Kenya,  Monique Swart South Africa based promoter of ABTA,  Gordon Adoboe from Ghana, Samuel Doe from Ghana, Atlanta based Senegalese Promoter Ogo Sow, Janjay F. Campbell from liberia, Mrs. TinukeNwakohu from Nigeria,ConsigaKhiga of Kenya, AdefunkeAdeyemi – IATA representative for Middle-East &Africa,YunusSaliu from the Gambia,Yvette smith Cole from Sierra-leone, Patricia Ellis from Zambia,Samuel Doe from Ghana. Aly Diouf-Senegal.
Meanwhile the DG NCAA, Capt. Usman Mukhtar, MD, International Services of Ethiopian Airline along with the Head of IATA Middle East and Africa, will be headlining this year’s Aviation Day at the 11th Akwaaba. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in line with its, objective to bring increased connectivity to Africa has partnered with Akwaaba to organize the Aviation day.  The event will hold on the 23rd of Nov, the 2nd day of Akwaaba from10am.
The event aims to stimulate valuable discussions by renowned industry players to address the lingering issue of connectivity in Africa.  It will feature presentations of papers by notable individuals in the industry on issues concerning the sector. AdefunkeAdeyemi, IATA Regional Head for Member (Airline) and External Relations for Africa and the Middle East will be sharing a recent study by IATA on connectivity in Africa at the Aviation Day. The event is themed “National Carrier, Open Skies and Connectivity in Africa”.
Managing Director, International Services, Ethiopian Airlines, EsayasWoldemariam will also be making a presentation, while the Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Muhtar Usman will be the Chairman of the day. The moderator for the day will be Aviation Consultant Mr Chris Aligbe.Already the President, Nigeria Association of Tour Operators, NkereuwemOnung and the President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, AlhajiAminuAgoha have accepted to be among panel members at the event which is for Travel Trade Professionals.
Amb. Bianca Ojukwu will be cutting the tape to declare the Wedding & Spa Show open and formally opening the Akwaaba Travel Market. Bianca Ojukwu, the wife of the former Nigerian Leader Chief OdumeugwuOjukwu is also a former beauty queen who has since moved into Diplomacy, as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain & UNWTO.  Other VIP’s lined up to declare other Sessions open at the 3day Travel Trade Event .
The Wedding show is sponsored by Dubai Tourism in partnership with Emirates and will feature over 10 countries showcasing amazing Wedding & Honeymoon destinations, Weekend Getaways and Spa Sanctuaries.
Travelstart Nigeria which would be exhibiting at Akwaaba for the first time, hopes to extend its reach across Africa. According to the Head of Communications for Travelstart Nigeria, OluwakemiOjo said, “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to participate in this year’s AKWAABA African Travel Market Expo, to build on our existing affiliations, acquire competitive advantage for Travelstart and stay up-to-date with latest development in the travel industry.
Also, Samsung West-Africa a leading Technology company, in its bid to increase brand Visibility especially amongst Hoteliers and Resort Owners will be showcasing its Professional Displays, Hotel TV ranges, Smart Signage & IT products at Akwaaba 2015.
As sponsors of the Hospitality Day event, Samsung West-Africa will be sharing with Hotel & Resort Managers how they can improve their guest experience. According to Mr. Anu-RotimiAgboola (Head, Samsung Enterprise Business Solution -SMART Signage & SMART Hospitality Displays) “our participation at Akwaaba is more about brand visibility and we will be giving gifts to the Top 5 Hotel Winners of the Travellers top 100 Hotels in Lagos Polls. However, these Hotels must use Hotel TVs not consumer TVs. The advantage of Hotel TVs over Consumer TVs is that they give better guest experience by allowing guests personalize their experience”.
Other Guest Speakers are Mr. SanjoBamgboye- Director, Current Links Systems Ltd on “Facilitating Payment Innovation in Hospitality” and Mrs. Lilian Obinna-Igwe, Country Manager Travelstart Nigeria on “Online Booking in Africa and how it works”. There will also be a panellists made up of Top Hotel GMs across Africa to deliberate on the issues raised.
The Hospitality day at Akwaaba seeks to create a platform that would help provide knowledge about burning issues and raise Hotel standards in Africa. The Travellers top 100 Hotels in Lagos Polls winners will also be announced and receive their certificate at the event.
The Wine Tasting event follows immediately after from 4pm. Wine Tasting Event at the Hospitality Day presents an opportunity for Wine Producers from all parts of the World to Network and Market to over 50 Wine distributors from across Nigeria. It also offers wine distributors the opportunity to deal directly with wine producers eliminating the middle men. This event is open to all Hotel and Hospitality Professionals. Hospitality Day holds on the 24th Nov, 2015. Attendance is by registration. The paper ‘How to Know Your Wine’ will be anchored by Chief J.A Rowlands.
Akwaaba: African Travel Market will be taking place from the 22nd to the 24th of November 2015 at the Eko Hotels & Suites Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
AFTM is listed by United Nations World Organisation (UNWTO), a partner event of African Travel Association (ATA), partner with International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the only member of International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA) in West Africa.

Wednesday 1 July 2015

US TO REOPEN EMBASSY IN CUBA

From USA Today Obama announces new U.S. embassy in Cuba http://usat.ly/1LUMrbr

Monday 22 June 2015

AKWAABA African Travel Market Lagos invites You to 'GHANA " ACCRA WEIZO"

Akwaaba African Travel market the Organizer of the Annual Travel show in West Africa invite you to ACCRA WEIZO. The theme is "SEAMLESS TRAVEL IN WEST AFRICA". With a 4 days Tour of Accra.

At Accra Weizo, Aviation Meets immigration. It is a one day programme.

DATE: 3RD Of July.  2015.
VvENUE: La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.  Accra Ghana.

For Travel and Accommodation detail and Participation please contact:  akwaabatravelmarket@yahoo.com.

Hurry up.

Friday 5 June 2015

SAA Technical Wins ATE&M Best Line Maintenance Service Provider Award -World’s Top Aircraft Maintenance Provider

South African Airways Technical (SAA Technical / SAAT) has claimed the prestigious title as the Best Line Maintenance Providerfor 2015 at the annual Aircraft Technology Engineering & Maintenance Awards (ATE&M Awards) announced on Wednesday, 27 May 2015, at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London. 

SAA Technical competed for the title with several renowned global champions in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry. The shortlist for each category in this year’s ATE&M Awards were finalised following a public voting process that attracted a record number of votes. 

“Winning this award has certainly elevated SAA Technical to a formidable force in the global MRO sphere. This is a first for SAA Technical and is a victorious achievement,” says Musa Zwane, SAA Technical CEO.

 The prestigious Aircraft Technology Engineering & Maintenance (ATE&M) Awards, now in its fifth year, is run by MRO Network and are designed to recognise the achievements of organisations and individuals within the maintenance, repair and overhaul sector of the commercial aerospace aftermarket. 

The competitors in the Best Line Maintenance category were:·   

#    Delta TechOps;·   

#    South African Airways Technical;·    

#    Storm Aviation;·      

#    STS Line Maintenance;

Congratulations to South African Airways Technical for doing South Africa and the African Continent proud Aviation sector,

 About SAA Technical

SAA Technical (SAAT), South African Airways’ world class aircraft maintenance division, remains the leading maintenance, repair and overhaul provider in Africa. SAAT has a broad skills base, with excellent facilities, local and international certifications and full maintenance capabilities that are based on the highest of safety standards, superior quality of service, the best maintenance reliability records in the world with Dispatch Reliability and turnaround times exceeding International Benchmark standards. Covering an area of 85,000 square metres in hangar space,

SAAT has been fully FAA-certified since the early 1990’s. SAAT serves an increasing number of local, regional and international airlines with highly trained, knowledgeable and experienced Engineers who attend to approximately 400 hundred flights daily. 

About South African Airways South African Airways (SAA) is the leading carrier in Africa, serving 56 destinations, in partnership with SA Express, SA Airlink and its low cost carrier, Mango, within South Africa and across the continent, and nine intercontinental routes from its Johannesburg hub. It is a member of the largest international airline network, Star Alliance.

SAA’s core business is the provision of passenger airline and cargo transport services together with related services, which are provided through SAA and its wholly owned subsidiaries: SAA Technical; Mango its low cost carrier; and Air Chefs, the catering entity of SAA.

SAA is the winner of the 'Best Airline in Africa’ Award in the regional category for twelve consecutive years and the winner of ‘Service Excellence Africa’ for three years. Mango and SAA hold the number one and number two successive spomts as South Africa’s most on - time airlines. SAA is also the recipient of the Skytrax 4-Star rating for 13 consecutive years. 

Monday 1 June 2015

Cyprus Summer Season Underway and Looking Up 2015-05-23 BY PHIL BUTLER


On the broader front, having agreed to a €10 billion
euro bailout programme from the Troika of
international lenders (European Commission, European
Central Bank, IMF) in 2013, Cyprus floated a €750
million euro bond issue for the first time, to roll over
its current debt and lower the cost of state borrowing.
Passage of a package of measures to level out the
runaway non-performing loans at commercial banks,

The incomparable seaside on Cyprus – via Pixabay
According to the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO)
and the Cyprus Hotel Association (CHA), this year’s
summer tourism season outlook is very positive.
The Cyprus Mail reported last week that among the
top concerns for Cyprus officials is the reduction of
loss for Russian tourists, due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Also key for Cyprus this year was the expansion of the
market to include increases in French, Polish, Israeli,
and Arabic visitor's.
In a meeting of the board of the CHA, Chairman of the
Board of CTO Angelos Loizou commented;

AMATHUS HOTEL
AMATHUS HOTEL on Cyprus
For the would-be traveller to Cyprus, the overall
climate of travel presents a good number of deals for
short term or extended vacationing on the island. A
spot check direct for the luxury resort revealed a price
of € 1.897,00 for one week for two adults and one
child at Amathus in Limassol (image above). Of course
there are a wide range of accommodations and
packages available from many sources. We suggest
the reader consult the official Visit Cyprus portal, to
learn more.

Last month the Farmagusta Gazette reported tourist
arrivals for April at an increase of 11.3% over the
previous year’s figures. Overall Q1 of 2015 compared
to 2014 revealed an increase of 13.7% for the first
third of the year. Quoting the Statistical Service of the
Republic of Cyprus, the bad news is that Cyprus has
already lost 22.5% or more in tourism flows from
Russia (25.149 in April 2015 compared to 32.430 in
April 2014). To offset this, apparently Tourism Minister
George Lakkotrypis’ has figures that suggest inbound
tourists from Germany and elsewhere have patched
the hole in Cyprus’ tourism woes. Speaking at the
opening of the Travel Fair 2015, adding that compared
to last year, there is an increase in arrivals of 16%
overall, while a decrease of 4.4% in arrivals from
Russia has been registered.

Nicos Anastasiades, President of Cyprus
On the broader front, having agreed to a €10 billion
euro bailout programme from the Troika of
international lenders (European Commission, European
Central Bank, IMF) in 2013, Cyprus floated a €750
million euro bond issue for the first time, to roll over
its current debt and lower the cost of state borrowing.
Passage of a package of measures to level out the
runaway non-performing loans at commercial banks,
have also helped remedy the country’s insolvency
woes too. News President Nicos Anastasiades (below)
and Turkish Cypriot counterpart Mustafa Akinci have
fostered positive movement toward the re-unification
of the Island have the investment world a buzz. A big
part of Cyprus’ ongoing touristic curtailment has been
the loss of fabulous resorts to the North of the island
such as Varosha, which is a veritable ghost town of
crumbling luxury resorts. A reunification of Cyprus, for
many experts, would be a travel and tourism boom if
the cards are played correctly.


For those unfamiliar, Cyprus relies heavily on tourism,
financial services and shipping as the most significant
economic sectors. Even with the recent Eurozone
woes, the country maintains one of the highest per
capita GDP’s in Europe. The discovery of offshore
natural gas reserves, the hint of a reunification, and
other positive tourism sector news says a lot about
Cyprus’ future. A resolution to the Ukraine crisis, the
potential of the so-called “Turkey Stream” gas pipeline
project looping Greece, Turkey, and Russia together,
also bears watching.

Wednesday 20 May 2015

FREEDOM PARK SHOWCASE SOUTH AFRICA LIBERATION STORY AT INDABA 2015

On Friday 08 May 2015, the acting Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Park Ms Jane Mufamadi led a delegation from Freedom Park to Tourism Indaba 2015 taking place in Durban, KwaZulu Natal. Tourism Indaba is the largest Tourism marketing event in Africa and ranks amongst the top three in the global calendar.


“The magnitude of the quest to attract International tourists has never been this high. Tourism Indaba 2015 is taking place at an opportune time, especially when Freedom Park is turning itself into a tour operator friendly destination. With the recent appointment of restaurant operator, the restaurant will be opening soon. For the first time, Freedom Park started signing agreements with Tour Operators to allow them to bring their guests to this awesome liberation heritage product”, says acting CEO Ms. Jane Mufamadi.


“Freedom Park has been showcasing its products at Tourism Indaba in the previous years. However, this year it will be different, exciting, timeous and momentous. Freedom Park is now fully operational and It’s all systems go for this unique liberation heritage monument”, Says HOD Public Participation, Mr Khorommbi Matibe.


Freedom Park is also presently hosting two temporary exhibitions on site in Pretoria namely“ History is the home address” showcasing the 19i56 Sophia Town Forced Removals and  EK BEN EEN AFRIKANDER (I am an African) exhibition. Professionals, Academics, Officials, Historians, Researchers, Students, Artists, photographers, Educators, Leaners, Events coordinators and the general public are welcome to come view the exhibitions.


‘As Freedom Park we have a mandate and indeed an obligation to take Freedom Park to the people and bring the people to Freedom Park. We have a true story to tell, a story which originated from the late president Tata Madiba when  he said ‘the day should not be far off, when we shall have a people’s shrine, a freedom park, where we shall honor with all the dignity they deserve, those who endured pain so we should experience the joy of freedom.’ Tourism Indaba is the best place to relay this message to both local and international people.


Freedom Park’s stall was a place not to be missed at the Tourism Indaba 2015. The liberation heritage monument has now inscribed 95 000 names of the freedom fighters heroes and heroines who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of this country. The Eternal Flame which burns unceasingly in honour of the unknown fallen heroes and heroines; the tranquility of the picnic place , the Uitspanplek for family gatherings; the sacredness and the spirituality place ,Isivivane; the majestic Gallery of Leaders etc, all these and many more products offerings will be showcased at Tourism Indaba.


African Travel Quarterly ATQ Magazine.

Friday 8 May 2015

UNLISHING YOUR CREATIVE POTENTIAL

The wealth of a Nation is not in how many Barrels of oil it produces, but in UNLOCKING THE GREAT CREATIVE POTENTIALS AND IDEAS INSIDE US. IF EACH OF US will contribute  our gifts and Ideas, no matter how little, we will all do great things together as a Natikn and Continent.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

See Substance and Style, See Possibilities in the face of Impossibility Let's together give Tourism A VOICE & PRESENCE..

PROMOTE YOURSELF. BELIEVE IN YOU, GO FOR YOUR GOALS AND REACH FOR THE STARS. IT'S ALL INSIDE YOU.

There is Something We have that the World needs. Let's look inward.  NIGERIA, AFRICA GREAT.

TOURISM IS LIFE........

Sunday 26 April 2015

LOVEWORLD FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AND ARTS OFFICIALLY OPENED IN SOUTH AFRICA ON 25TH APRIL 2015

Tourism in South Africa just got a Big Boost amidst the  recent incidents of violent attacks on immigrants. South Africa's blossoming tourism industry is under threat from the stain of recent incidents of xenophobic violence in Durban and Johannesburg.

The wave of violence during the last two weeks against immigrant communities in Durban and Johannesburg, is now creating repercussions for the country’s travel industry.
Travel warnings against travel to South Africa have been issued in Australia, China, Hong Kong and the U.K. The Australian government warned its citizens traveling in South Africa to “exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa due to the high level of serious crime.

Also the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government posted a warning on its website saying, “Residents intending to visit the country or who are already there should monitor the situation, exercise caution, attend to personal safety and avoid protests and large gatherings of people.” China and the U.K. have issued similar warnings

The SA government and many of the citizens have come out to openly condemn the Act, by making Speeches and protest march etc respectively.  In the midst of this situation the Believers Loveworld Nation Festival of Music and Arts was officially opened on 25th of April 2015 in South Africa in grand style.
These indicates that travel into South Africa is save and  the situation is under control and normalcy is been restored.

This is a Big boost to SA's threatened tourism industry as tourist from various Countries arrived to attend the  program including top gospel musicians from the Loveworld nation and several talents as well.

The Loveworld Festival of music and Arts is a  fully loaded 3 days of creativity exhibition, a festival Organized to show case the gospel in an extraordinary way. It is a fun-filled trilling exhibition of talents and abilities and anyone can attend.

The venue of the event is Nasrec Expo Centre Johannesburg.  South Africa.
According to the Organizers, it promises to be a complete package of Blessings unimaginable.

A PLACE TO VISIT: Jura & Three-Lakes La Chaux-de-Fonds La Chaux-de-Fonds,

Law Chaux-de-Fonds is 1,000 meters above sea level.
It is the birthplace of the  world-famous architect Le Corbusier, whose actual name was Charles Edouard Jeanneret-Gris. One of his early works, "Maison Blanche", is located in the city. He built the house in 1912 for his parents.

The City was the world capital of the watch-making industry for over a hundred years. It thus makes sense that the first house designed by the world-famous  architect and the International Watch Musuem are located here.
The cityscape of La Chaux-de-Fonds, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009 and is characterized by a chessboard design that was created at the beginning of the 19th century after a catastrophic fire.

The international watch museum "Musée International de l'Horlogerie" (MIH) is entirely dedicated to the history of time measurement. It houses over 4,500 exhibits, including 2,700 watches and 700 wall clocks.

The climate in the Jura is harsh. On the lonely heights west of Le Locle is the village of La Brévine, which is called the Siberia of Switzerland, and holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in Switzerland – 41.8°. In summer the Jura mountains are a popular place for walking and cycling, while in winter the main sport is cross-country skiing.

With these bits of information am sure you will love to visit and take a City tour of this historical city in Switzerland,  especially if you love wrist watches,  you can get your fill. TIME TO EXPLOUR THE HAPPIEST COUTRIES OF OUR TIME....

Saturday 25 April 2015

SWITZERLAND: THE HAPPIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD

The 2015 World Happiness Report has ranked Switzerland has the happiest Country in the world f4 closely followed by Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Canada, according to a global ranking of happiness unveiled in New York on Thursday.

The 2015 World Happiness Report is the third annual report seeking to quantify happiness as a means of influencing government policy. The United Nations published the first study in 2012.
Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, New Zealand and Australia round out the top 10, making small or medium-sized countries in Western Europe seven of the top 10 happiest countries.
Academics identified the variables as real GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, having someone to count on, perceived freedom to make life choices, freedom from corruption and generosity.
Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and one of the editors, said the top 13 countries were the same a second year running although their order had shifted.

They combined affluence with strong social support, and relatively honest and accountable governments, he told a news conference.
Countries below that top group fall short, either in income or in social support or in both,” Sachs explained. The United States trails in 15th place, behind Israel and Mexico, with Britain at 21, pipped by Belgium and the United Arab Emirates. France ranks number 29, behind Germany in 26th place. Afghanistan and war-torn Syria joined eight sub-Saharan countries in Africa - Togo, Burundi, Benin, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea and Chad - as the 10 least happy of 158 countries. Despite the conflict raging in Iraq, that country was ranked 112, ahead of South Africa, India, Kenya and Bulgaria

. The 166-page report was edited by Sachs, John Helliwell of the University of British Columbia in Canada and Richard Layard from the London School of Economics. “One of our very strong recommendations is that we should be using measurements of happiness... to help guide the world during this period of the new sustainable development goals,” Sachs said. The report would be distributed widely at the United Nations and closely read by governments around the world, he said. “We want this to have an impact, to put it straight forwardly, on the deliberations on sustainable development because we think this really matters,” Sachs said. 

Besides money, the report emphasized fairness, honesty, trust and good health as determinants, saying that economic crisis or natural disaster themselves did not necessarily crush happiness. Iceland and Ireland were the best examples, the report found, of how to maintain happiness through resilient social support despite the severity of banking collapses during the financial crisis.

 The Fukushima region of Japan also saw “increased trust and happiness” after the 2011 earthquake by allowing people to build their mutual dependence and cooperative capacities, it said. On the other hand, recession-hit Greece was the “biggest happiness loser,” down almost 1.5 points from 2005-2007 to 2012-2014, and where data points to the erosion of trust, it said. They said more and more governments are listening and responding with policies that put well-being first. Political consensus in Britain, Layard said, had fueled “a major transformation” in mental health services to give evidence-based treatment to 500,000 people with 50 percent recovery rates. But he singled out German Chancellor Angela Merkel as “the most interesting world leader” in responding to happiness data. He praised her for initiating a grass roots project “of very great importance” that seeks to find out “what people want to see changing in order that their well-being might change.”

A positive outlook during childhood also lays the foundation for greater happiness during adulthood, the report found. “We must invest early on in the lives of our children so that they grow to become independent, productive and happy adults, contributing both socially and economically,” Layard said.

So, are you looking  for happiness? Go to Switzerland


Wednesday 22 April 2015

SOUTH AFRICA TOURISM CEO THULANI NZIMA APOLOGISES TO AFRICANS ON XENOPHOBIC ATTACK

NoTo Xenophobia: Says South Africa Tourism Chief Executive Thulani Ndima as he condemns the xenophobic attacks on African immigrants in South Africa by some groups of angry youths.

As Durban is ready for Indaba 2015, the Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism as this to say in his address.....

I want to state that I categorically condemn the appalling xenophobic attacks taking place in the various locations in our country.It is with embarrassment and shame that I come before the world and especially my fellow Africans to apologise for these senseless attacks. I hold in contempt the loathing and subsequent attacks suffered by our brothers and sisters from the continent.

The majority of us South Africans, perceive and carry ourselves as Africans and believe what we have witnessed in some parts of our country goes against the grain of who we are as a people, our constitution, and the principles of Ubuntu that we so dearly adhere to.I personally extend my sincerest apologies to you.As my colleagues and I prepare for our Pan-African Trade Show, INDABA, from 9 to 11 May 2015, in the city of Durban, we wish to reassure all INDABA delegates and foreign nationals coming into South Africa that our country is safe for you to visit. 
We do not take for granted the support we have enjoyed over the years from our brothers and sisters throughout the continent in contributing to the growth of tourism into our country. We are also appreciative of the backing of our counterparts on the continent who have ensured that our flagship Trade Shows, INDABA and Meetings Africa, have grown in stature in the years they have been in existence.We are heartened and uplifted that this matter is being managed at the highest level of the land.

President Jacob Zuma has assigned the South African Ministers of Home Affairs, Police, State Security to work with provinces affected to contain the violence. Task teams have been established to coordinate the response. Additional law enforcement officers have been mobilised from around the country and deployed to the affected areas to enforce the law and prevent further attacks. Since Monday morning 310 suspects have been arrested. All district disaster management centres have been placed on high-alert and a 24-hour call centre has been established. Shelters have been set-up to accommodate displaced foreign nationals and basic amenities such as water, sanitation, and healthcare are being provided. 

Government is working closely with the UNHCR, UNICEF as well as non-governmental organisations to provide food, psycho-social and other support to those affected. The process of reintegrating those who were displaced back into their communities has begun. Community engagements are being conducted through the Communities in Dialogue programme, Community Safety Forums, Ward Committees and through Community Development Workers, amongst others. The South African Constitution protects the rights of all people living within the country, South Africans and foreigners alike and everything is being done within the law to ensure safety of all citizens and foreign nationals irrespective of their status.

 On behalf of South African Tourism, please accept our sincerest apologies during this time as we extend our hand of friendship to you. Please be rest assured that South Africa remains a welcoming destination filled with warm people. 

South African tourism board as worked tirelessly to promote their beautiful destination,  so unfortunate that a despicable act like this as come up, we are our Brother's Keeper and we should protect our Brothers. We are glad the situation is under control and perpetrators of these violence should be brought to book under the law and the government must look into the root cause of the matter and prefer lasting solutions to the needs of the people, be it unemployment etc.

South Africa is beautiful as well as Africa. Together in peace and love Africa must unite against Terrorism and Violence against fellow African.

Thursday 5 February 2015

Pictures of Campagn Tropicana Beach Resort

Get Closer to Nature at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort. Naija Trip Crew was there and the Experience was exquisite. We went on tour around the Resort , Remember the BOLEKAJA mode of Transportation in Lagos in the 60s, you're about to be treated to/in a True African Hospitality.  Go and come tell us about your own La Campagne Beach Experience.

MARKETING NIGERIA'S TOURISM

MARKETING NIGERIAN TOURISM: INTERVIEW WITH DR. WANLE AKINBOBOYE.  

NAIJA TRIP was at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Lagos. During an interview with the CEO Dr Wanle Akinboboye this is what he has to say on Marketing Nigeria as a Tourism Destination.

Through our Embassy around the world we need to put people who can market our Tourism, that is people with experience to go out there and market our tourism Facilities as well as Destinations and make it worth their while,  by giving them some insentive generated from that Country, Because of the bad perception they've looked at us over the years we need to put together experts to create ready made packaged tours that will hand over to them because right now very few people want to come to Nigeria on their own, they've got to be guided they've got to know that they are supported by government. They've got to know that its a tour that is protected. so that when you are in New York or Washington DC  They can tell the Travel agency that it is a government endeavour for security guarantee.

Display the  pictures of beautiful Tourism sites and Resorts such as  LACampaign Tropicana Resorts, Obudu Mountain Resort, Calabar Canival, Ikogosi Warm Spring, Osun Oshogbo Festival, etc.  show the picture of destinations Beaches and Hotels such as  Eko Hotel and Suits, Radison Blue, put together Vacation packages, We need packages that include Entertainment and that will include possible Business Opportunities if we do this, you will be shocked what you will get.
He concluded the interview by saying... But Nobody has come to talk to us yet, when it occurs to us we will achieve it.
Well as it is now,  the price of Crude oil has drastically dropped, obviously Nigeria will have to look into other sectors of the economy and develop this areas that have been under developed. Tourism, Solid minerals, Farming,  Entertainment,  Energy (Power) IT, Transportation, Security of Life and properties very key to economic development. Education, etc.

There is Hope for a Better and florishing Nigeria.