Tourism networking with South Africa

The objective of the tour basically was to learn about what makes South African tourism the toast of the world, what Nigeria stands to benefit in the short and long run, what facilities can be adapted to the local Nigerian environment and creation of cluster of tourist sites to prepare the condition which would allow […]

The objective of the tour basically was to learn about what makes South African tourism the toast of the world, what Nigeria stands to benefit in the short and long run, what facilities can be adapted to the local Nigerian environment and creation of cluster of tourist sites to prepare the condition which would allow tourists get value for their money. It was also an opportunity to sell Nigeria to South Africa.  

Johannesburg, the bustling commercial capital of South Africa was used as the study centre with its scores of tourist sites particularly historical and gastronomy sites as models.

For example, the group toured the apartheid museum, the old and New Soweto, Chris Hani Bargwath Memorial hospital, Mandela House, House of Bishop Tutu, Shector Peterson Memorial Museum Lesedi village, Carnivoro Restaurant among several others.  Little boy Shector Peterson was killed in Soweto in 1976 during the students riot against apartheid.

The team led by the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe was intended to chart a new course for the Nigerian tourism development at the shortest possible time.

The lessons derivable from this remarkable trip are too many. First, participants were able to see thriving small tourism businesses such as the Carnivore, a specialized gastromy outlet whose business is an all meat affairs.

At Carnivore, participants were served crocodile, mpala, élan (from antelope family) cow meat, ostrich, and several species of animals.  Most participants fell for the adoption of this model as local animals can be used for such business in various parts of Nigeria.

The urgency for the creation of a tourist village in each state which NTDC Director General has been canvassing for close to two years dawned on all the participants following their experience at the famous Lesedi cultural village, located in the outskirt of Johannesburg.

The Village built in a typical South African tribal setting is built against a hill side in a forested area just about 40 minutes drive from Johannesburg.

Typical village life including traditional greetings, gesture, diet, daily chores of the Zulu, Xhosa and several other tribal groupings of South Africa are explained to the visiting team.  

After about 90 minutes tour of the village, with our guide named simply as Sarah, participants were treated to cultural dances of the Zulus and Xhosas and other tribes from Lesotho who shared cultural affinity with the Zulus.

Don’t we have all these in Nigeria?  What needed to be done is to package all these as we saw in South Africa to promote our culture which is believed to be unique in the entire world.

A typical cultural village in Kano, Ibadan, Abakaliki, or Minna reflecting the values of these towns and communities will command the attention of tourists to these places.

It is believed that most states would not wait to start their own museums or help to encourage leisure and Art Galleries reflecting the culture and history of their cities.

“For a sustainable economic activity, wealth creation and the economic growth Nigeria should adapt all these small businesses in tourism to the Nigerian environment”, the NTDC boss told some journalists.  

The team also visited the office complex of the South African Tourist Board for an on the spot study of the organization.

While receiving the Nigerian Team, Mr Phumi Dhlom, the Regional Director for Africa at South African Tourism Board said the board’s mandate include increasing inbound tourists volume, sustain GDP growth job creation, distribution and economic transformation.

Mr Dhlomo hinged the successes of South African tourism to aggressive marketing through tour operators and agents who he said contribute 90% to the success.

Otunba Runsewe earlier while speaking on behalf of the delegation called for a greater collaboration between the NTDC and the South African Tourism Board, a request which was backed up with a proposed Nigerian and South African Joint Concerts in support of the 2010 world cup.  

Akin. A. Onipede is a director at the NTDC