Before his appointment
as the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute for Hospitality and Tourism
(NIHOTOUR), Dr. Munzali Dantata, has been a major player in the tourism
industry in Nigeria.
He once headed the powerful
National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents (NANTA) and later the
President of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) from where
he was appointed to head NIHOTOUR. As a a consummate specialist in
the hospitality business, he shares his traveling experience with JIMOH
BABATUNDE. Here is an excerpt:
On his journey into the hospitality
business
I am a lawyer by training but the transition was possible, because I am an artist at heart. I draw, paint and write poetry. As a child and teenager, I was the first in the arts in my class and though I had some love for architecture, my going into law does not change anything.
I am a lawyer by training but the transition was possible, because I am an artist at heart. I draw, paint and write poetry. As a child and teenager, I was the first in the arts in my class and though I had some love for architecture, my going into law does not change anything.
As a lawyer, I had started off
practising with the judiciary in Kano state. I resigned from that appointment
to form my own chambers and sometime in the mid-80s, I set up a travel agency,
All States Travel and Tours, which is still in business today. That agency
became my window into the hospitality industry.
As you may be aware, there is a
connection between tourism and arts and culture. In many countries of the world
they both go together. Even here in Nigeria, the government is pushing arts and
culture as one of our many products. That is why the federal government merged
both arms to form the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.
On how long he has been traveling
I have been traveling for over forty years.
I have been traveling for over forty years.
On what inspires his choice of
destinations
I like going to new places. I am a curious person by nature. In 1996 I visited Onyeama coal mines, about 2 hours by car from Enugu. The friend that took me felt ashamed that though he was born and bred in Enugu he had never visited the mines until I took him there.
I like going to new places. I am a curious person by nature. In 1996 I visited Onyeama coal mines, about 2 hours by car from Enugu. The friend that took me felt ashamed that though he was born and bred in Enugu he had never visited the mines until I took him there.
From 2000 to 2002, I visited all the
eight national parks with my wife. The Conservator General was impressed. Just
two weeks ago I visited the oil fields in the outskirts of Eket in Akwa Ibom
State, because I had never seen a live oil rig. A senator from that zone
arranged my trip.
On his best destination or
city
London, United Kingdom. It has a balance of interesting places for everybody. I enjoyed it as a child. Decades later, I returned as a father with my children.
London, United Kingdom. It has a balance of interesting places for everybody. I enjoyed it as a child. Decades later, I returned as a father with my children.
On his best destination in
Nigeria
My best Nigerian destination is Obudu Cattle Ranch. It has the best landscape in the world. The Obudu Ranch/Resort has a temperature of between 26°C to 32°C between November and January,the nights are cool to cold during this period.
The lowest temperature range of 4°C to 10°C is recorded between June and September which is the rainy season.
My best Nigerian destination is Obudu Cattle Ranch. It has the best landscape in the world. The Obudu Ranch/Resort has a temperature of between 26°C to 32°C between November and January,the nights are cool to cold during this period.
The lowest temperature range of 4°C to 10°C is recorded between June and September which is the rainy season.
Warm clothes,raincoat and water
boots for hiking in rainy season. The Obudu plateau has an altitude of
1,575.76metres above sea level hence its tranquil climate. Now you know
why I read law but ended up becoming a tour operator. It is about job
satisfaction. I enjoy traveling and am tourist myself.
On what he takes along on his trips
These days I always carry my laptop whenever I travel. To go online, work and entertain myself on the move.
These days I always carry my laptop whenever I travel. To go online, work and entertain myself on the move.
On what inform his choice of
hotels
Clean room with international TV stations.
Clean room with international TV stations.
On his best hotel and why
Hilton Hotel. Because they are in many cities and you can earn points which can reduce your bill.
Hilton Hotel. Because they are in many cities and you can earn points which can reduce your bill.
On his best airline
British Airways. It has good connections, comfortable seats and good inflight service.
British Airways. It has good connections, comfortable seats and good inflight service.
On where he will like to
visit next
Australia. Because I have never been down under. Australia is one part of the world that I have never visited. Though grouped in Asia, it is not typical Asia, nor is it part of the West.
Australia. Because I have never been down under. Australia is one part of the world that I have never visited. Though grouped in Asia, it is not typical Asia, nor is it part of the West.
On who he will like to
meet on his trip
Local people. I like going to new places, meeting new and local people. I am always increasing my education.
Local people. I like going to new places, meeting new and local people. I am always increasing my education.
On the best person he has met
on his trip
A Zulu chief I met at Shakaland, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. The Zulu chief was the chief of Shakaland. Its a cultural tourism village. Dressed in full Zulu regalia the chief receives visitors all day. It was in 1999
A Zulu chief I met at Shakaland, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. The Zulu chief was the chief of Shakaland. Its a cultural tourism village. Dressed in full Zulu regalia the chief receives visitors all day. It was in 1999
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