Nigeria creates impact at WTM 2012
Ikechi Uko organiser of the recently concluded African Travel Market (ATM) in Lagos, said Nigeria succeeded in everything it did this time around. “I have attended the event since 1998 and I must say that this is the first time Nigeria got it all right. In previous editions, we succeed here, fail there. But this […]
Ikechi Uko organiser of the recently concluded African Travel Market (ATM) in Lagos, said Nigeria succeeded in everything it did this time around. “I have attended the event since 1998 and I must say that this is the first time Nigeria got it all right. In previous editions, we succeed here, fail there. But this year’s outing was an all-round success. There was full participation from the government, private sector and other stakeholders.”
With no less than 180 countries in attendance annually, Nigeria has ensured that it has made an appearance and participated at each of the event. The forum serves as a network platform for at least 48,000 travel industry professionals, government personnel and international journalists who also negotiate and discover the latest trends in the industry. This year’s outing was the 33rd.
It was reported that last year’s edition raked in about N424, 821million (£1,653 million) of travel industry contracts as countries, airlines, hospitality chains, tourism IT solution providers, travel agencies, tour operators struck deals.
With Nigeria doing all it can to be a force to reckon with in the world tourism industry it was necessary not only to be in attendance but to make a strong and memorable statement while there. With a continuous presence over the years at the event, it has made an impression so much so that it has positioned itself as an emerging destination in Africa for tourism.
With guests to the arena daily entertained with Nigerian music and dance performances amongst others the African section of the fair was a beehive of activities with the ‘Nigerian Day’ climaxing it all.
With the 2012 Industry Report of the WTM boosting Nigeria’s tourism profile Nollywood also received commendation in the report. “The Nigerian film industry dubbed Nollywood has made the country the highlight of the African tourist industry with Africans making use of the increase no-frills airline routes to visit the country made famous in the movies.”
Along with Nollywood, churches like the Synagogue Church of All Nations, the Redeemed Christian Church of God Holy Ghost Convention and the annual convention of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel) were said to ‘build the market for pilgrimage and religious tourism’ in Nigeria.
Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director General, National Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), in assessing Nigeria’s impact at the WTM 2012 said, “Nigeria had its bold and imposing stand at the African section of the market, showing remarkable improvement in not articulating its presence in the market, but being able to create a platform for states and private sector operators to showcase what Nigeria has to offer in tourism.”
Runsewe said that although the NTDC co-coordinated Nigeria’s participation, key private sector operators in the tourism industry had the opportunity to market and network with their counterparts from all over the world. It was an encouraging participation by the Nigerian private sector practitioners.
“States like Cross River, Rivers and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had a strong presence. The umbrella tourism body for Nigeria, the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), led by its President, Chief Samuel Alabi, led the private sector operators, including the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies, Arik Airline, Naija Seven Wonders, Eko Hotel and Suites, Tarzan Balogun Marine Services Limited and many others.”
According to Runsewe, more countries participated this year at the WTM and with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) which is opening up its borders. “We have seen that it is an opportunity to bring a very strong tourists’ traffic to Nigeria. So, we are using the opportunity to showcase the strength of Nigeria basically in terms of our history which is also part of the history of the African-Americans. We are also looking at our craft, festival, waterfalls, and rocks and so on. For us, it is an opportunity to invite more foreigners to Nigeria to come and see for themselves.”