Nigerian airlines have grounded flights and radio stations were silenced as a months-long fuel shortage aggravated by striking oil tanker drivers worsened in Africa's biggest oil producer.
Vehicles also were grounded. Normally bustling roads in Lagos, a metropolis of 20 million, were half-empty and gas stations were closed on Saturday.
One station owner said he had fuel but strikers are threatening to set fire to any stations selling it. He insisted on anonymity for fear of reprisals.
Police were arresting black marketers selling fuel at roadsides at four times the regulated 87 naira ($0.40) a litre.
Radio stations went dead on Saturday night, including Classic FM, The Beat and City FM, hit by frequent power outages and out of diesel fuel for generators.
Chaos reigned at bus stations where vehicles stood idle and at Lagos' Murtala Muhammad International Airport as one flight after another was cancelled.
All flights suspended or cancelled. No fuel. Been sitting here since 6am, one customer complained on Twitter.
Aero Contractors, one of Nigeria's largest private airlines, has cancelled 80 percent of its flights, said spokesman Simon Tunde.
Passengers said that Air France and Kenya Airways flights diverted to Dakar, Senegal, and Cotonou, Benin, to refuel on their way to Paris and Nairobi because no fuel was available in Lagos this week.
Nigeria produces more than two million barrels of petroleum a day but imports refined fuel because it does not have enough functioning refineries. It regularly suffers fuel shortages but nothing as severe as the current countrywide crisis.
The crisis started weeks before the March 29 elections, with oil suppliers hit by tightened credit lines amid halved international oil prices, a slump in the naira currency, and unpaid government debts the suppliers claim amount to nearly $1bn.
Unpaid oil tanker drivers went on strike earlier this month and other industry workers joined them this week.
President Goodluck Jonathan lost the elections and suppliers fear the debt will not be honoured by President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler who pledged to fight endemic corruption.
Some alleged debt involves fuel subsidies that critics say are a scam that benefited oil suppliers and corrupt government officials with no reduced costs for ordinary Nigerians.
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Showing posts with label Nigeria Tourism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nigeria Tourism. Show all posts
Thursday, 20 July 2017
Friday, 26 May 2017
NIGERIA: Cross River Is Reinventing Its Tourism
Tourism business in Cross River State dates back to pre- amalgamated colonial Nigeria. As early as 1904, the British erected the African club, an elegant relaxation and events center along Calabar road, the city’s main financial and banking district. The African club heralded the first systematic, bold attempt to kick-start the hospitality sector in the state.
In sum, colonial Cross River tourism landscape was hampered by vicious structural problems such absence of innovative and robust regulation, scant content, lack of accessibility, security concern, absence of awareness and private sector apathy.
The administration of Brig. Gen. U. J Esuene, the first governor of the then South Eastern State (now Cross River), 1967-75, laid ambitious foundation for the hospitality sector.
Endowed with great natural landmarks, history and culture, the administration tackled key structural limitation by investing in accommodation infrastructure (3- star, 150 rooms metropolitan hotel now Transcorp Metropolitan), accessibility (inter- state roads and the Margaret Ekpo International airport), renovated the Obudu Ranch Resort and took more than a passive interest to open up the 7,000 Sqr km Cross River forest to tourists.
The administration reduced plenty structural problems but lacked the capacity in the areas of content development and destination marketing. Subsequent administrations concentrated on road infrastructure and environment beautification. The issue of sustainability was hardly taken into serious consideration.
The continuous dwindling of tourist’s traffic in the 1990’s was the morsel of proof that there was a need for new thinking and innovative ideas for the sector to bloom.
In 2003, there was a seismic change. Donald Duke established a new- look, ideas driven tourism Bureau in place of the erstwhile opaque and moribund old tourism Board. Eclectic, ideas- based and innovative, the new tourism Bureau and management team wielded a combined 180 years of industry experience with veterans such as late Prof. EkpoEyo, Prof. EkaBraide, Mrs. Li Umoh and Mrs.
Thelma Bello etc. The quality of the new Bureau was evidence within a span of 4 years. Robust regulation, increased destination marketing, a surfeit of attractive tourism products and modernization of infrastructure attracted plenty private sector players. The Obudu Mountain race , a cable car, the Afi Canopy walk way, the calabar Carnival, the Leboku New Yam festival and the marina Resort, attracted nearly 2.5 million visitors to the state by 2006. Total investments in the sector was put at US$ 3.5 bn by the end of 2007.
By 2015, tourism seemed to be plateauing. As Liyel Imoke stood on the dais of the Calabar International Convention Center to hand over the reins of governmental powers to Ben Ayade, on May 29, 2015, the sector employed 25,000 strong labour force with nearly 43,000 rooms spread across hotels of various grades and guest houses.
Hotel occupancy had plunged from 80% in 2006 to nearly 40% in 2015. Cuts in incentives, adverts and marketing as well as lack of new tourism products were key culprits.
There are key competitors to destination Cross River. Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Abuja and Delta State have upped infrastructures, tackled accessibility problems and packaged enticing new products to attract tourist. In all, Lagos, endowed with hefty, easy money and excellent infrastructure have begun to soar in entertainment and music as well as meetings, conferences and incentives.
International hotel brands has, in the last 5 years, invested heavily in accommodation, dinning and transport businesses.
But destination Cross River is silently re-working its tourism model. A new tourism product- Bikers’ Parade, introduced by the present administration succeeded in attracting new set of people; wealthy Nigerians and others with assortment of bikes and a guaranteed and hefty spends on accommodation, dinning, gasoline and laundry services.
The expanded Calabar Carnival also attracted many Nigerian universities and new audience. The newly commissioned Calabar Monorail and the resuscitation of Tinapa Business Resort adds to the offering.
The gradual industrialization of the state and the presence of premier export processing zone, housing major businesses such as General Electric, Sky run International and Combination Industries and several international Oil Firms have impacted positively on tourism in the state.
Take it or leave it, Obudu Ranch Resort is a top tourist destination in Nigeria according to Kushal Dutta, the managing director of Jumia Travel.
The great natural landmarks found in the state are a boon and great location for movie entrepreneurs. The assortment of wild elephants, plenty migratory birds, chimpanzees, monkeys, butterflies and several species of reptiles and rodents in the 7,000 sqr km of forest is a top attraction to wild life lovers.
The state is still a preferred destination- the alluring green canopies of trees, the rarefied air, excellent hotels, great foods and diverse culture and above all, a hospitable people cannot be taken away from the state.
In sum, colonial Cross River tourism landscape was hampered by vicious structural problems such absence of innovative and robust regulation, scant content, lack of accessibility, security concern, absence of awareness and private sector apathy.
The administration of Brig. Gen. U. J Esuene, the first governor of the then South Eastern State (now Cross River), 1967-75, laid ambitious foundation for the hospitality sector.
Endowed with great natural landmarks, history and culture, the administration tackled key structural limitation by investing in accommodation infrastructure (3- star, 150 rooms metropolitan hotel now Transcorp Metropolitan), accessibility (inter- state roads and the Margaret Ekpo International airport), renovated the Obudu Ranch Resort and took more than a passive interest to open up the 7,000 Sqr km Cross River forest to tourists.
The administration reduced plenty structural problems but lacked the capacity in the areas of content development and destination marketing. Subsequent administrations concentrated on road infrastructure and environment beautification. The issue of sustainability was hardly taken into serious consideration.
The continuous dwindling of tourist’s traffic in the 1990’s was the morsel of proof that there was a need for new thinking and innovative ideas for the sector to bloom.
In 2003, there was a seismic change. Donald Duke established a new- look, ideas driven tourism Bureau in place of the erstwhile opaque and moribund old tourism Board. Eclectic, ideas- based and innovative, the new tourism Bureau and management team wielded a combined 180 years of industry experience with veterans such as late Prof. EkpoEyo, Prof. EkaBraide, Mrs. Li Umoh and Mrs.
Thelma Bello etc. The quality of the new Bureau was evidence within a span of 4 years. Robust regulation, increased destination marketing, a surfeit of attractive tourism products and modernization of infrastructure attracted plenty private sector players. The Obudu Mountain race , a cable car, the Afi Canopy walk way, the calabar Carnival, the Leboku New Yam festival and the marina Resort, attracted nearly 2.5 million visitors to the state by 2006. Total investments in the sector was put at US$ 3.5 bn by the end of 2007.
By 2015, tourism seemed to be plateauing. As Liyel Imoke stood on the dais of the Calabar International Convention Center to hand over the reins of governmental powers to Ben Ayade, on May 29, 2015, the sector employed 25,000 strong labour force with nearly 43,000 rooms spread across hotels of various grades and guest houses.
Hotel occupancy had plunged from 80% in 2006 to nearly 40% in 2015. Cuts in incentives, adverts and marketing as well as lack of new tourism products were key culprits.
There are key competitors to destination Cross River. Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Abuja and Delta State have upped infrastructures, tackled accessibility problems and packaged enticing new products to attract tourist. In all, Lagos, endowed with hefty, easy money and excellent infrastructure have begun to soar in entertainment and music as well as meetings, conferences and incentives.
International hotel brands has, in the last 5 years, invested heavily in accommodation, dinning and transport businesses.
But destination Cross River is silently re-working its tourism model. A new tourism product- Bikers’ Parade, introduced by the present administration succeeded in attracting new set of people; wealthy Nigerians and others with assortment of bikes and a guaranteed and hefty spends on accommodation, dinning, gasoline and laundry services.
The expanded Calabar Carnival also attracted many Nigerian universities and new audience. The newly commissioned Calabar Monorail and the resuscitation of Tinapa Business Resort adds to the offering.
The gradual industrialization of the state and the presence of premier export processing zone, housing major businesses such as General Electric, Sky run International and Combination Industries and several international Oil Firms have impacted positively on tourism in the state.
Take it or leave it, Obudu Ranch Resort is a top tourist destination in Nigeria according to Kushal Dutta, the managing director of Jumia Travel.
The great natural landmarks found in the state are a boon and great location for movie entrepreneurs. The assortment of wild elephants, plenty migratory birds, chimpanzees, monkeys, butterflies and several species of reptiles and rodents in the 7,000 sqr km of forest is a top attraction to wild life lovers.
The state is still a preferred destination- the alluring green canopies of trees, the rarefied air, excellent hotels, great foods and diverse culture and above all, a hospitable people cannot be taken away from the state.
Thursday, 19 May 2016
Nigeria Should Copy Seychelles Tourism
Moet Abebe, who visited Seychelles recently, relives her experience on the island
Why did you choose to visit Seychelles?
Before I travelled to Seychelles last Christmas, I read about the place and I was able to establish that it is a beautiful place to visit. Naturally, I prefer to holiday at beach locations since I like to swim with dolphins, take part in water sports and other activities. Since all of these activities are available at Seychelles and I was keen on visiting somewhere I had never been to in Africa, Seychelles became my first choice.
There are other countries in Africa with lovely beaches…
I was torn between visiting Seychelles and Mauritius. I decided to go to Seychelles because I had always wanted to have a first-hand experience of their culture.
Did you go on the trip alone?
No, I did not. I travelled with my boyfriend.
As a first-time visitor to Seychelles, what did you find impressive about the place?
I was impressed by the fact that the country generates most of its revenue from tourism. Most of the products you find in Seychelles, are imported from other countries. It is a good tourist or honeymoon destination and it is often referred to as the Paris of Africa.
Also, most of the locals are friendly. It was always nice going somewhere and every single person you meet is welcoming. The good thing about them is that they are all sincere and no one would try to take advantage of your status as a visitor and attempt to defraud you. They try to make Seychelles good for visitors and even the locals have imbibed the habit of promoting the country’s tourism potential.
How would you describe the nationals?
There are a lot of mixed-race people in Seychelles. They are very simple, easy-going and no one ever tries to outshine the other or create a larger-than-life impression. I fell in love with their simplicity; I feel it is because every day, they wake up to beautiful things. They do not really have to struggle too much for anything they want.
Did being a Nigerian affect the way you were treated by people you met on the trip?
Yes it did. We also hung out with a German couple we met on the trip.
Did they seem to know much about Nigeria?
It was also surprising to note that our movies and music have gone so far and they were familiar with it. They know Davido and Wizkid and kept asking questions about them. They also talked about the major cities in Nigeria but Nigerian music piqued their interest more than any other thing.
Were you shocked at some aspects of their culture?
Not really, most of the people there are tourists. There are a few locals and their population is small. They are mostly simple and local people who live on the island.
What are they renowned for?
They are renowned for their white-sand beaches.
What are some of the places you visited in Seychelles?
We went to their local market; they sell mostly jewellery and other art products there. They do not really have much economic activities going on and do not have many historical sites, especially at Mahe where I visited. It is an island.
What was the most interesting activity you partook in?
I did not really partake in any special activity, but I learnt how to ski and that was really fun for me. Also, I swam with live dolphins in the ocean. It is not everytime one gets to swim with dolphins in an enclosed pool. I had a live experience.
Were you not scared of being harmed?
Not really, there were too many people there already also so I did not think anything bad would happen to me. If it would have happened, I did not think it would happen to me and it never crossed my mind. It was one of those spontaneous decisions I took without thinking about it. And because it went well, I was happy I made the decision.
What would make you return to Seychelles?
I think it would be just because of the hospitality. I do not think I would have any other different feeling swimming with dolphins. I liked the holiday because I met different people from different parts of the world and not just the nationals of Seychelles.
Did you enjoy the food as well?
I did not. The food was not great.
Can you describe it?
It was mostly rice.
What do you like about their culture?
I like the simplicity.
Do they have anything in common with Nigeria?
No, there are no similarities.
How about the tourism industry?
I believe their spirit of tourism could be emulated. We do not really have a lot of tourism going on in Nigeria. A lot still needs to be done.
What interesting feature in Seychelles would you like to be replicated in Nigeria?
It would probably be their jewellery.
As an on-air personality, how did the trip impact on your career?
In most of the places I go to for work or pleasure, I found out that a lot of people were interested in Nigerian music and movies. It makes me want to travel more to spread the word about Nigeria. As an on-air personality, I like to promote these aspects about Nigeria and also sell my brand. Travelling also makes me more enlightened and a versatile media personality.
Why did you choose to visit Seychelles?
Before I travelled to Seychelles last Christmas, I read about the place and I was able to establish that it is a beautiful place to visit. Naturally, I prefer to holiday at beach locations since I like to swim with dolphins, take part in water sports and other activities. Since all of these activities are available at Seychelles and I was keen on visiting somewhere I had never been to in Africa, Seychelles became my first choice.
There are other countries in Africa with lovely beaches…
I was torn between visiting Seychelles and Mauritius. I decided to go to Seychelles because I had always wanted to have a first-hand experience of their culture.
Did you go on the trip alone?
No, I did not. I travelled with my boyfriend.
As a first-time visitor to Seychelles, what did you find impressive about the place?
I was impressed by the fact that the country generates most of its revenue from tourism. Most of the products you find in Seychelles, are imported from other countries. It is a good tourist or honeymoon destination and it is often referred to as the Paris of Africa.
Also, most of the locals are friendly. It was always nice going somewhere and every single person you meet is welcoming. The good thing about them is that they are all sincere and no one would try to take advantage of your status as a visitor and attempt to defraud you. They try to make Seychelles good for visitors and even the locals have imbibed the habit of promoting the country’s tourism potential.
How would you describe the nationals?
There are a lot of mixed-race people in Seychelles. They are very simple, easy-going and no one ever tries to outshine the other or create a larger-than-life impression. I fell in love with their simplicity; I feel it is because every day, they wake up to beautiful things. They do not really have to struggle too much for anything they want.
Did being a Nigerian affect the way you were treated by people you met on the trip?
Yes it did. We also hung out with a German couple we met on the trip.
Did they seem to know much about Nigeria?
It was also surprising to note that our movies and music have gone so far and they were familiar with it. They know Davido and Wizkid and kept asking questions about them. They also talked about the major cities in Nigeria but Nigerian music piqued their interest more than any other thing.
Were you shocked at some aspects of their culture?
Not really, most of the people there are tourists. There are a few locals and their population is small. They are mostly simple and local people who live on the island.
What are they renowned for?
They are renowned for their white-sand beaches.
What are some of the places you visited in Seychelles?
We went to their local market; they sell mostly jewellery and other art products there. They do not really have much economic activities going on and do not have many historical sites, especially at Mahe where I visited. It is an island.
What was the most interesting activity you partook in?
I did not really partake in any special activity, but I learnt how to ski and that was really fun for me. Also, I swam with live dolphins in the ocean. It is not everytime one gets to swim with dolphins in an enclosed pool. I had a live experience.
Were you not scared of being harmed?
Not really, there were too many people there already also so I did not think anything bad would happen to me. If it would have happened, I did not think it would happen to me and it never crossed my mind. It was one of those spontaneous decisions I took without thinking about it. And because it went well, I was happy I made the decision.
What would make you return to Seychelles?
I think it would be just because of the hospitality. I do not think I would have any other different feeling swimming with dolphins. I liked the holiday because I met different people from different parts of the world and not just the nationals of Seychelles.
Did you enjoy the food as well?
I did not. The food was not great.
Can you describe it?
It was mostly rice.
What do you like about their culture?
I like the simplicity.
Do they have anything in common with Nigeria?
No, there are no similarities.
How about the tourism industry?
I believe their spirit of tourism could be emulated. We do not really have a lot of tourism going on in Nigeria. A lot still needs to be done.
What interesting feature in Seychelles would you like to be replicated in Nigeria?
It would probably be their jewellery.
As an on-air personality, how did the trip impact on your career?
In most of the places I go to for work or pleasure, I found out that a lot of people were interested in Nigerian music and movies. It makes me want to travel more to spread the word about Nigeria. As an on-air personality, I like to promote these aspects about Nigeria and also sell my brand. Travelling also makes me more enlightened and a versatile media personality.
Thursday, 3 March 2016
NIGERIA; Nigeria Has Highest Room Rates In Africa
Revenue from hotel occupancy in Nigeria is expected to hit $401 million (about N80.2 billion) this year, Jovago, Africa’s largest hotel booking portal, has projected. Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Kushal Dutta, disclosed this at a breakfast meeting with the media in Lagos.
Dutta, who advocated greater attention from government to boost the industry growth, also maintained that the figure would further rise to $442 million (N88.4 billion) by the end of 2017.
He said: “Although, we expect the sector to grow by double-digit rates in 2018-19, we also foresee a periodic drop in the short-term.
For the long term period, we expect the situation to improve as we record a 6.6 per cent compound annual rate to 2.2 million rooms in 2019 from 1.6 million rooms in 2014.”
He explained that with Nigeria having the highest room rates in Africa, it is expected that the prices will keep growing with projected increases averaging 2.7 per cent compounded annually over the next four years.
Also, he said the number of hotel rooms would more than double during the next five years with that growth occurring predominantly in Lagos. He said: “There will be an estimated 10, 000 rooms in 2017, up from 8, 800 in 2014, a 20.7 per cent compound annual increase.
This increase will be well below the expected growth in room availability and occupancy rates will plunge, falling to 25.3 per cent by 2018 before edging up to 26.8 per cent in 2019.”
According to him, while there are still a lot of latent opportunities in the Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry, the government has yet to give the industry the attention it is required.
Dutta, who advocated greater attention from government to boost the industry growth, also maintained that the figure would further rise to $442 million (N88.4 billion) by the end of 2017.
He said: “Although, we expect the sector to grow by double-digit rates in 2018-19, we also foresee a periodic drop in the short-term.
For the long term period, we expect the situation to improve as we record a 6.6 per cent compound annual rate to 2.2 million rooms in 2019 from 1.6 million rooms in 2014.”
He explained that with Nigeria having the highest room rates in Africa, it is expected that the prices will keep growing with projected increases averaging 2.7 per cent compounded annually over the next four years.
Also, he said the number of hotel rooms would more than double during the next five years with that growth occurring predominantly in Lagos. He said: “There will be an estimated 10, 000 rooms in 2017, up from 8, 800 in 2014, a 20.7 per cent compound annual increase.
This increase will be well below the expected growth in room availability and occupancy rates will plunge, falling to 25.3 per cent by 2018 before edging up to 26.8 per cent in 2019.”
According to him, while there are still a lot of latent opportunities in the Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry, the government has yet to give the industry the attention it is required.
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