World Tourism President urges leaders to keep borders open

 The President of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Mr David Scowsill, has urged world leaders not to close borders in response to the growing threat of terrorism.

Scowsill made this pledge while speaking at the beginning of a two-day meeting of the organisation’s annual Global Summit in Dallas, on Thursday.
"Don’t close borders in response to terrorism, because closing borders and jeopardising the freedom to travel is not the answer to the current security concerns."

A transcript of the WTTC president's quoted him as saying that world leaders need to stand together and act now, with the support of the travel and tourism sector in the fight against terrorism and threat to global security.

He said that the combination of global terrorism and an international refugee crisis is creating an unprecedented threat.
``Closing our borders and jeopardising our freedom to travel is not the solution.

"We have to prevent an overreaction from governments. We live in an ever connected world, brought closer by technology, multi-platform media, binding trade agreements and the sheer speed of travel.

"That same connectivity sees us witnessing the migration of peoples, on a scale not seen for decades.

``Navigating our way through and beyond the complexities of mass migration, embracing the possibilities while acknowledging the concerns, will be the urgent task of our global leaders now and in the future," he Scowsill.

``To prevent an overreaction from governments; the critical question is to understand how to keep the borders safe, while keeping those same borders open to business travellers and tourists."

Obudu Cattle Ranch 

Scowsill reminded the delegates of the impact of the US border tightening after the Sept. 11 2001 attacks, which led to a lost decade of tourism income that cost the US some 600 billion dollar in losses.

He said that the WTTC advocates improving international intelligence and security agency cooperation, better use of technology, and better communication as ways of combating the terrorism problem.

"Such action will take global agreements and a commitment to sharing data something which can only happen with concerted international effort.

"World leaders also need to stand up together and to act now, and it is our role as travel and tourism leaders to make that happen, and the economic contribution of travel and tourism is clear.

"Globally, the travel and tourism sector contributes 7.2 trillion dollars annually, almost 10 per cent of the world’s GDP, and supports one in eleven of all jobs on the planet, which is an exceptionally resilient performance despite many challenges," Scowsill said.

He also highlighted how the sector is force for good in the world, noting that, travel and tourism brings people together.

It puts a smile on people’s faces. It alleviates poverty. It provides employment across all levels of society, and in some of the most remote places on earth. It broadens horizons and breaks boundaries."

The WTTC is the global forum for business leaders in the travel and tourism industry, with chief executives of hundreds of the world's leading travel and tourism companies as its members.

It also advocates partnership between the public and private sectors, and delivering results that match the needs of economies, local and regional authorities and local communities. (PANA/NAN)

SON inaugurates committee on tourism

The Acting Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr. Paul Angya, has said that standardization of the various tourism activities and products in the country are critical in the development and growth of the sector.

He made this assertion yesterday at the inauguration of the National Mirror Committee on Tourism Related Activities in Lagos under the leadership of Mrs. Chika Balogun.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Paul Angya, said the committee provides an opportunity to harness the country’s knowledge of tourism to grow the Nigerian economy through participation in regional and global standardization activities.

“A National Mirror Committee provides a good avenue for the aggregation of knowledge, facts and views from stakeholders and interested parties in Nigeria to make valuable contributions to the elaboration of international standards with a view to ensuring that our peculiarities are taken into consideration in arriving at the final draft of the standards for tourism.”

He added that the committee will be the voice of the country at International Organisation for Standardization, African Organisation for Standardization and ECOWAS in developing standards specifically for the tourism industry.

While noting that Nigeria stands to benefit more from tourism now that it is looking for alternative sources of revenue to oil, Angya represented by Komolafe Abiola, Director of Standards in the organisation, said it is expected that the committee through its work will be able to position the country’s tourism to compete globally.

Speaking after the inauguration, the elected chairman of the committee, Chika Balogun, the Director General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOUR), promised that they will work towards standardization and quality assurance in attracting international tourists  to the country.

Alaska Air to buy Virgin America for $2.6 billion

 Alaska Air Group Inc said on Monday that it had agreed to buy Virgin America Inc. for 2.6 billion dollars to expand its flights on the U.S. West Coast.

Alaska Air made this known in a newsletter issued on Monday which stated that the merged airline would become the fifth largest in the U.S.

It added that it would help it compete against larger rivals for lucrative business and international travelers visiting San Francisco and Los Angeles as well as Seattle, where the company is based.

The acquisition will herald the first U.S. commercial airline merger since U.S. Airways and American Airlines combined in 2013 to form the world's largest carrier.

Alaska's offer of 57 dollars per share in cash represents a premium of about 47 per cent to Virgin's Friday's close
Including, Virgin America's debt and aircraft lease obligations, the transaction value amounts to about 4 billion dollars, according to the release.

The deal will generate 225 million dollars in annual benefit once the companies are fully merged, while one-time integration costs are expected to be between 300 million dollars and 350 million dollars, Alaska Air said. (Reuters/NAN)

Muslim family accuses United Airlines of "racial profiling"

CHICAGO, IL - A Muslim family of five were reportedly asked to deboard Washington, DC-bound United Airlines plane at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, citing "safety" issues.

Eaman-Amy Saad Shebley in her Facebook post complained about United Airlines racially profiling and humiliating her family by asking them by asking them to leave the flight. Shebley also posted two videos of the incident.

"Shame on you ?#?unitedAirlines? for profiling my family and me for no reason other than how we look and kicking us off the plane for "safety flight issues" on our flight to DC for the kids spring break. My three kids are too young to have experienced this," the post said.

The videos show the airlines pilot asking the family to leave a plane before it took off.

On asking whether the decision was "discriminatory", the pilot replied that it was a "flight safety issue". However, the staff did not provide any further detail.

The family inquired earlier whether the stewardess could provide five-point harness safety seats for their children.

The airline said that it apologized multiple times to Shebley's family and even rebooked them on another flight.

In a statement to BuzzFeed News, United Airlines said the family was rebooked "on a later flight because of concerns about their child's safety seat, which did not comply with federal safety regulations" and said the airline has "zero tolerance for discrimination".

Swiss International, Alisa Hotels Ltd signed License Agreement as Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites - Alisa Accra

Swiss International Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce the signing of a license agreement with the owning company of Alisa Hotel Accra.

Since last week Friday, the hotel will undergo re-branding and training initiatives for a period of 3 months. The new name of the hotel will be: Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Alisa - Accra.

This 199 room hotel is strategically located in the upscale North Ridge district of Accra. North Ridge was originally planned as a neighborhood for civil servants and businessmen in the colonial era. Today, North Ridge remains one of the best residential neighborhoods in Accra. The area of North Ridge, West Ridge, and East Ridge, collectively referred to as "The Ridge" is populated by several major embassies, including those of Germany and the United Kingdom, making it an ideal location for an international hotel brand.

The Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Alisa – Accra will offer besides the 199 oversized rooms and suites, a Swiss Café Restaurant & Lounge, a TED & Co Bar & Lounge, The Box – for Meetings & Events and an Inspirations Pool & Gym.

The General Manager of the Alisa Hotels Ltd, Mr Yusuf Olela stated: “With Accra becoming one of the leading destination cities in Africa, there has always been a call for Alisa Hotel to be competitive in the global market and to reorganize its services to international standards. We believe the association with Swiss International will empower us to offer top international hospitality services.”

The Hotel is the first hotel of the chain in Ghana. The hotel has entered a license agreement with Swiss International on March 3rd, and as such will benefit from the strength and offerings of an international brand.

“We live in a globalized world. Travellers seek the same levels of service and quality from the hotels at home and abroad indicating demand for international hotel brands.

Swiss International is making its debut in the country and we are happy that we entered the capital” commented Mr Henri W.R Kennedie, the CEO of Swiss International Hotels & Resorts.

Mr Kwame Ofosu Bamfo, the owner of the hotel added “This is an exciting time for our company as we partner with Swiss International to gain and secure a stronger position in the hotel market of Accra. I am convinced that our hotel, under the flag of Swiss International, will continue to see higher peaks of success.”

When asked about the role that emerging markets like Ghana play in the broader portfolio of International hotel brands like Swiss International, Dr Wasiu Babalola, Managing Director - Africa for Swiss International Hotel & Resorts commented: “In general, Africa is considered to be the market with the biggest possibility for growth, as it is yet to maximize its development potential. The hospitality industry in Ghana and Accra in particular has seen huge growth around rising commercial centers and natural resources extraction.”

The arrival of Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites brand in Ghana earmarks Swiss International’s commitment to Africa. The chain is already represented in Nigeria with 2 hotels, in Rwanda with 1 hotel and in Sierra Leone with 1 hotel and it is moving to Kenya to operate a luxury resort

Ooni of Ife advocates cultural tourism as alternative source of revenue

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has advocated for cultural tourism to serve as an alternative source of revenue in the face of the dwindling oil price and economic challenges facing the country.

Oba Adeyeye who spoke in Owo area of Ondo State said when properly accessed, it can be used to create wealth, empower the people and generate employment.

He pointed out that Nigeria is blessed with many tourist attraction which have been suffering from neglect.

According to him investing in this sector will further showcase the cultural heritage of the country to the world and will also boost the country's GDP.

"Tourism is an everlasting product that serves as alternative source of revenue and discourages over-dependence on perishable and exhaustible products like oil. It is, also, an alternative source of income.

"Cultural tourism is just to show case our heritage and our culture to the world. Our people depend so much on government for everything. 

"Private sector should take the first lead. Look at what happened here today. 100percent private sector. Let private sector comes in. 

"We have the most richest culture in the world , but the challenges is for the people to come and fact find our cultural heritage for us. 

"The major impediment is comfort, that is, where they would stay in the entire land. 

"All over the world, private sector is the engine room of any economy. So as a result, when private sector start, UNESCO and government can come to support. My believe is that we don't need to depend on government for everything. 

"If you go to South Africa, their economy is been driven by tourism, Gambia don't have crude oil, the entire France don't have crude oil and if you go to all the Caribbean island, they don't have crude oil and their GDP is even better than us in Nigeria that we have crude oil. 

"If we have more places like this , both in the North ,South, West and the East, people will be moving from one point to the other . 

"This will even boost our GDP rather than any little thing, we always travel out of the country to go and do the similar thing . Why should we do that?, let us encourage ourselves ."

The traditional ruler later visited the Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi  said his visit to Deji Akure is to preach on peace and unity among the Yoruba nation because it is the only guaranteed key to progress. 

   The monarch said the only way to progress in life is to be in unity and in love and he will continue to do this to bring all Obas in Yorubaland together as one family

On his part,  Oba Aladelusi  described the visit of Ooni of Ife to some paramount Yoruba Monarch to preach Unity and love as a welcome development that can bring Yoruba race together. 

ICAO President inspects Abuja airport

The new international terminals being constructed simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja, Portharcourt, Kano and Enugu will increase capacity and improve passenger facilitation. 

The Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Engr Saleh Dunoma stated this in Abuja following an inspection of the new terminal under construction by the Council President of ICAO, Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu.

According to Engr Saleh Dunoma "In the past 12 years, passenger traffic at the airports increased from 4.4milion to 15million per annum (over 23%) and FAAN is expanding its capacity to accommodate envisaged growth. 

He described Dr Aliu as an icon who has positively impacted the aviation globally emphasizing that his policy of "No country left behind " has addressed the challenges faced by the sector especially in developing countries.

Engr Dunoma reiterated the Authority's commitment to sustain the standards achieved following the recent ICAO audit.

The ICAO President was accompanied by Com Martins Nwafor, the Nigerian Representative at ICAO council, Mr Mam Saint Jalo, ICAO Regional Director for West and Central Africa, senior officials from the Ministry and heads of aviation agencies. 

The ICAO President who earlier met with labour unions called for closer collaboration for the development of the sector.