#NigeriaTravelWeek2018 – good and ready to go

Travel and tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world supporting over 284 million jobs worldwide according to World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The forecast for the industry is positive, but is there significant attention to the development of local talent to match the expected growth? How are we meeting our manpower needs and solving one of the continent’s biggest problems – unemployment?

Panelists: Tana Forsuelo (Wavecrest Hospitality); Toni Ukachukwu (Aviators Africa Academy); Abiola Ogunbiyi (SJ Tours); Katheryn Lademo (Crew Training Institute) Pelu Awofeso (Waka About Online); Lola Adewole (Tifa Travels)

The journey to the Single Air African Travel Market began on 7th October 1988 with the Yamoussoukro Declaration to create a conducive environment for intra-African air-connectivity. Early in 2018 West Africa Tourism Organization in partnership with Ghana Tourism Board kickstarted the West African Integrated Travel to promote tourism in the West African sub-region. How is Nigeria positioning her tourism products and environment to derive maximum benefit from these landscape-changing agreements/developments? Will Nigeria continue to be just a source market for the world or act to tap into the over one billion African market?

Panelists: Robin Campbell (Nigeria Field Society); Ola Wright (WATO); Kazeem Balogun (Kalo Africa); Serge Messan (Hotel 2 Fevrier); Jemi Alade (Jemi Alade Tours); Gbenga Onitilo (Air Namibia)

About 41 percent of Africa’s population lives on less than $1 per day. For Nigeria, with a population of about 200 million, the situation is worse, with over 61% living on less than a dollar a day. Tourism is one of the biggest drivers of economic development in the world and is successfully being used to fight poverty and unemployment in several countries. Why are we lagging? Are there viable investment opportunities? What are the stumbling blocks? Do we have the market for tourism investment?

Panelists: Prince Yemisi Shyllon (OYASAF); Desmond Majekodumi (LUFASI Park); Ademola Sanya (British Airways); Femi Lawson (Skyview Communications); Kunle Awolowo (Phillips Consulting); Efetobo Awhana (Avantgarde Tours)

Technology is changing the way we do things world over. For tourism, technology becomes a useful tool or barrier in the way we EXCITE our audiences or market; the way BOOKINGS are made by tourists; the EXPERIENCE created; and whether valuable FEEDBACK is gotten or lost. What’s new in tourism technology we should be paying attention to?

Panelists: Olayinka Olaleye (Amadeus); Lola Adefope (Business Travel Management); Jason Ikegwu (Phillips Consulting); Gaurav Kirpalani (RDM); Omolara Adagunodo (Jumia Travel); Lukhanyiso Giba (Urworld Sim)

Raffle Draws