Peacock, Sinotrust hold talks on travel

CAPTION
L-R: Chairman, Sinotrust Group of Companies, Alex Wang; Group Executive Chairman, Peacock Group of Companies, Aare Segun Phillips; Chairman, Sino Travel International, Air Services (Beijing) Co Ltd, James Zhan; and Chief Accountant, Peacock Group, Mr Olawale Oyero, shortly after a discussion in Lagos by the three companies on travel business collaboration between Nigeria and China

FTAN commends information minister on tourism summit

The  Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has commended the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for convening the National Culture and Tourism Summit billed for next week,   to fashion out a way for the Nigerian tourism industry.

Speaking on the summit scheduled to commence on Wednesday next week, FTAN President, Mr. Tomi Akingbogun, said the tourism industry in Nigeria is on a back foot and the industry would totally be extinct if efforts are not made to go back to the drawing board and fashion a way forward.

Speaking on the summit, Akingbogun said: “FTAN is very much involved in the stakeholders’ summit by the minister. We are happy he is a listening minister because we have been communicating with him. He is kicking off with everybody sitting at the same table to look at the challenges and proffer solution. In the past the ministry would come up with policies that were strange to the private sector. That is the reason for the summit, to carry everybody along. We are happy he has taken the right step. We also want to thank the ministry officials for their inputs.”

UNWTO to help boost tourism in Nigeria – Minister

The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has agreed to design a two-year Plan of Action to promote tourism in Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, has said.

Mohammed said that the decision was reached at a meeting he held with the Secretary-General of the organisation, Taleb Rifai.

Mohammed said the meeting was held on Wednesday on the sidelines of the April 19 to April 21 UNWTO Commission for Africa meeting in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

A statement issued yesterday  in Abuja on the meeting by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Mr Segun Adeyemi, stated that UNWTO would work with the government to boost the nation’s tourism sector.

According to the statement, Rifai invited the minister to the organisation's headquarters in Spain during which he would meet with the UNWTO, private sector investors and Spanish government officials.

The statement said that the visit would be followed by that of the secretary-general to Nigeria for on-the-spot assessment of the challenges militating against the development of tourism in Africa's largest economy.

On his part, Rifai said that the UNWTO was delighted to have Nigeria fully back in the fold.

``We are happy Nigeria is here. Nigeria is too significant to disconnect from UNWTO.

``Happily, the new government in Nigeria has a good reputation,’’ the secretary-general said.

The minister on his part briefed the Secretary-General and his team on the efforts being made by the Nigerian government to ensure the security of lives and property.

He said successes had been recorded against Boko Haram, as well as on the upgrading of infrastructure.

The UNWTO is the leading international organisation in the field of tourism, promoting tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability.

The organisation also provides leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies globally.

African tourism ministers convene in Côte d’Ivoire

Over three days (19-21 April) high-level tourism representatives from African countries, including 18 tourism ministers¹, are convening in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to discuss the challenges of the sector and the priorities for the programme of work of UNWTO in the African continent. The event is held in parallel with the Sustainable Tourism Conference of the 10 YFP, focused on ‘Accelerating the Shift towards Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns’.

Tourism and ethics, tourism and security, and the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development to be celebrated in 2017 are some of the topics in the agenda of the meeting. The events taking place in Côte d’Ivoire show clear support to the country following the tragic events that took place in Grand-Bassam last March and recognition by the Government of Cote d’Ivoire of tourism’s role in development.

“Côte d’Ivoire is one of the most evident examples of the great potential of African tourism; it holds impressive natural assets and unique cultural diversity and traditions. Continuing to foster tourism in this part of the world can really make a difference, not only for society as a whole but for the perception of the African continent in the world,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, opening the event.   

During the occasion, the UNWTO Secretary-General and attending delegations visited Grand-Bassam to pay tribute to the victims of the attack of March 13, 2016.

"Thank you for coming to Grand-Bassam and paying respect to the victims. We thank you for maintaining the meeting, which is very important for us," said President of Côte d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara.

The importance of tourism to Cote d’Ivoire has been reflected in the acceptance by President Ouattara of the UNWTO/WTTC Open Letter on Travel and Tourism, geared to raise awareness and support of tourism at the highest political level.

Sustainability in the agenda of tourism in Africa

Parallel to the Regional Commission, UNWTO organized the Sustainable Tourism Conference of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns.

The event focused on ‘Accelerating the Shift towards Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns’ and discussed the importance of sustainability in the agenda of tourism in Africa, as well as in enhancing tourism investment and financing and collaboration among stakeholders to improve the tourism sector’s performance.

Through a combination of plenary sessions, interactive panels and roundtable discussions, examples of good practices from related projects and activities were presented and shared.

The UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa coincided with the holding of SITA - Salon International du Tourisme d´Abidjan - providing attendees with the opportunity to also participate in the fair that brings together local exhibitors as well as those from the neighbouring countries.

2016 Hajj: NAHCON reads riot act to private tour operators

 The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Tuesday in Abuja warned Private Tour Operators against collecting money from intending pilgrims and refusing to transport them to Saudi Arabia.

The Executive Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad, gave the warning during the 1st Operational Meeting with Licensed Tour Operators on 2016 Umrah (lesser Hajj) and Hajj operations at the National Mosque.

Muhammad said that the measure was part of efforts by NAHCON to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of Umrah and Hajj exercises in the country.

He said that the commission was collaborating with other relevant agencies to track down illegal operators and bring them to book.

``The Board of NAHCON had resolved that from this year, anybody who collects money from any intending pilgrims, and for no fault of the pilgrims, refuses to carry them to Saudi Arabia to perform that Hajj, that Tour Operator or State Pilgrims Welfare Board will be responsible for the payment of the difference between the fair paid by the pilgrim in the next Hajj that the pilgrim is going to observe.

`` If we take this measure, it will prevent tour operators and the state Pilgrims Boards from collecting money from people without making adequate arrangements for them to travel.

`` Certainly, in addition to that, administrative penalty and others will be also be used by NAHCON on such defaulting tour operators or state pilgrims boards,’’ Muhammad said.

He explained that the meeting was aimed at discussing very critical matters that have to do with the management of Umrah and Hajj to ensure better service delivery to Nigerian Pilgrims.

He, therefore, advised all the stakeholders to comply with the Saudi rules and regulations governing the Umrah to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

`` We have conducted similar meeting with the states and now we are having this engagement with the Private Tour Operators,’’ the executive chairman said.

He said that the meeting provided opportunity for the commission to inform operators about its policies and those of the Saudi Government which had to do with the comfort of the pilgrims, including transportation and accommodation in Munah and Arafat.

The Chairman, Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria, Alhaji Abdulfatai Abdulmajeed, assured that the association would abide by both the NAHCON and the Saudi Arabia rules and regulations governing Umrah and Hajj operations.

Abdulmajeed commended the leadership of NAHCON for providing an enabling environment for members of the association to conduct their business effectively and expressed their readiness to partner with the Commission. 

FG to bring culture, tourism sectors into mainstream of economy – Minister

The Federal Government has identified arts, culture and tourism among the sectors that would form the mainstream of its economic diversification programmes.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this in Lagos on Sunday at a meeting with Arts, Culture and Tourism correspondents.

A statement issued on the event by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Mr Segun Adeyemi, said that arts, culture and tourism would be made the veritable sources of revenue for the nation.

The minister in the statement said: ``This administration is diversifying the economy away from oil, which for many years has been the mainstay of our economy.

``We are working hard to move these sectors from the margins to the mainstream, and ensure that the rural poor in particular are factored into the sector's architecture.’’

Mohammed added that special attention would be paid to capacity building of culture and tourism managers in order to revive the nation’s creative arts, boost tourism and create employment particularly for the rural dwellers.

He disclosed that the ministry was working with local and international partners, including the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the British Council, in mapping out creative arts.

``By this we mean; pottery, weaving, dyeing, sculpturing, etc, to review them massively through capacity building for those involved and the provision of loans.

``We believe this will not only create hundreds of thousands of jobs, thus keeping our people meaningfully engaged, it will also become money spinners for the economy and stem the rural-urban migration,” he said.

Mohammed identified the non-involvement of local communities in the tourism and culture architecture as one of the banes of the sector.

The minister promised to reverse the trend through the training of the locals on specific skills that would enable them to participate actively in the tourism and culture economy.

He assured the public that government would muster the political will to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing the sector.

``We are not naive enough to believing that repositioning these critical sectors will be a walk-in-the park.

``We do know, for example, that tourism is a multi-sectoral issue that involves easier access to visas, provision of necessary infrastructure like roads and adequate security.

``This is why we have decided to call a National Summit on Culture and Tourism, which is scheduled for April 27 to April 29 in Abuja, with a view to charting the path forward.

``We are aware that similar efforts had been made in the past, without an appreciable result.

``The difference, this time, is our commitment and

the different milieu provided by the national imperative to diversify the economy, amidst the crash in the price of oil,’’ he said.

Mohammed, therefore, solicited the support and cooperation of the media to achieve the goal of repositioning the sectors into the main pillars of the economy.

ICAO, Nigeria find common ground on aviation devt.

ICAO COUNCIL PRESIDENT ALIU AND NIGERIAN PRESIDENT BUHARI FIND COMMON GROUND ON AVIATION DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES

The President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, met and held high-level discussions this week with the President and Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H. E. Muhammadu Buhari.

The two officials covered topics including projected aviation growth and associated human resource capacity and infrastructure challenges, ongoing threats from terrorist organizations in the region, as well as Nigeria’s potential to position itself as a leader in the provision of air services and aviation facilities including training for aviation professionals. President Aliu also welcomed Nigeria’s confirmation of its pending financial contribution to the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) for Africa.

President Buhari was accompanied during the discussions by Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, its Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, and other high officials. President Aliu was joined by the Representative of Nigeria on the ICAO Council, Mr. Nwafor Emeka Martins, and ICAO’s Regional Director for Western and Central Africa, Mr. Mam Sait Jallow.

“Civil aviation in Africa is an essential enabler of growth and social development, and ICAO has been very encouraged by Nigeria’s recent leadership and commitments with respect to aviation safety, capacity, security and human resources development,” President Aliu highlighted. “Consistent with the principles and priorities of ICAO’s No Country left Behind initiative, ICAO will collaborate with Nigeria towards the enhancement of aviation training capacity here and the upgrading of the Nigerian College of Aviation  Technology (NCAT) to full status as an ICAO Regional Training Centre of Excellence (RTCE). The establishment of an Aerospace University in Nigeria has also been proposed.”

ICAO Council President Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu (far left) met with Nigerian President and Head of State H. E. Muhammadu Buhari (2nd from right) during his recent mission. They are accompanied here by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika (2nd from left) and by its Honourable Minister
of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

Additional topics covered by the senior officials included the need to strengthen the autonomy of Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority and to ensure that revenues accruing from aviation activities are returned to the sector in the form of investments for training and other priorities.

It was agreed that a concrete roadmap and masterplan for aviation development will be put in place as a  follow up to the discussions held. 

During his mission, President Aliu also met with heads of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, as well as the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology. He visited the new Abuja International Airport terminal project, meteorological installations and weather forecasting facilities, and the Accident Investigation Agency’s laboratories.

In addition, meetings were held with the Vice President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mr.Edward Singhatey, the Executive Director and Staff of the Banjul Accord Regional Aviation Safety Oversight Organization (BAGASOO), and the Regional Director of IATA for Africa and the Middle East, Ms.  Adefunke Adeyemi. Discussions with these stakeholders focused on the need for greater collaboration and mutual cooperation between ICAO and the respective organizations for the advancement of aviation safety, security, capacity building, infrastructure development and air transport liberalization.

In the course of the visit an MOU for cooperation was signed between ECOWAS and BAGASOO in a bid to support the Regional Safety Oversight Organization.