The
glitz and glamour of the World Travel Market held in London may have come and
gone, but the event was an eye opener that African tourism remains a big force
in world tourism as the continent’s representatives in unison said despite the
Ebola epidemic in three West African States, nothing is going to stop tourism
in Africa. Funke Olaode reports
The
World Travel Market situated in Excel, East London has often been described as
a place to showcase tourism and hospitality by stakeholders across the globe.
And over the years, it has lived up to its expectation by parading the
best. Between November 3 and 6, the
world again converged on London to brainstorm on how to make the industry
better.
Leading
the Nigerian delegates was the
Director-General of Nigerian Tourism and
Development Corporationb(NTDC), Ms. Sally Mbanefo, and her team, Ogun State
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Yewande Amusan, was also on ground
to showcase her state tourism potential, Arik Air also registered their
presence at the expansive yearly gathering.
At
the event, Nigeria again proved herself as
the giant of Africa as her stand stood tall amongst the African
nations. These and many more remarkable
successes were attributed to the current NTDC DG. Over the years, Nigeria had
always been in the eyes of the world. Two years ago, it got international
recognition from two independent global reports: the World Travel Market (WTM)
2012 industry reports and WTM Global Trends Reports carried out with
Euromonitor International which described Nigeria as a potential powerhouse in
the travel and tourism markets in the world.
The
2012 industry reports personally signed by WTM chairman, Fiona Jeffery,
highlighted Nigeria as a viable travel and tourism destination. This was
arrived at after thorough survey conducted by its experienced staff. Head of
Tourism Research of Euromonitor International, Caroline Bremmel, revealed how
Nigeria’s film industry, Nollywood, had
placed the country on the world map. The 53 page report tagged
“Africa-Destination-Nollywood”; Bremmel said Nollywood was the second largest
in volume terms after Bollywood (India) and ahead of Hollywood (US) with over
2,000 films produced annually. Nollywood, according to the reports, is popular
in many African countries while other
important markets, it noted, are foreign
markets with the vast Nigeria Diaspora overseas with significant numbers in the
United Kingdom, United States and South Africa.
Interestingly, the outbreak of Ebola in July sent shivers
down the spines of many that Africa nay Nigeria may lose her place in the
tourism sector. To assure the international communities that no Ebola could rub
off the continent of its potential, for the first time ever, African delegates
converged at Platinum Suite 6 where a joint press conference was
addressed. Tagged ‘How big is the
problem of Ebola in Africa for tourism,’ the gathering paraded key important
figures from Africa. Again, Nigeria was represented by Mbanefo; Ghana was represented by its
Minister for Tourism, Mrs. Elizabeth
Ajari, and Mrs. Umaru Majar from Senegal. They all agreed that Africa is not a
country but a continent. And it is high time to say that Nigeria is safe.
Posing
questions on problems and successes so far on Ebola most especially on
countries hit by the epidemic, Dr. Ron Behrens sought an overview of the
situation on ground, how Nigeria tamed the Ebola monster and how other
countries can learn from Nigeria’s pro-active measure.
On
how Nigeria managed to be Ebola free, Mbanefo
while noting that the World Health Organisation (WHO) on October 20 gave
the country a clean bill of health, said it was a collective effort of
individuals and corporate organisations and above all, pro-active government
that cared about her people that brought Nigeria out of the Ebola virus
epidemic. Telling the world the magic
wand, Ms. Mbanefo gave Kudos to the late Dr. Stella Adedavoh for her refusal to
release the importer of the virus, Patrick Sawyer, from First Consultant
Hospital where he was being treated. The strategies such as contact tracing of
passengers of Sawyer in the aircraft, instant emergency centers, screening at
sea ports, borders, airports, doctors without borders, Nollywood actors, and
the media played important roles in creating awareness and sanitizing the
public.
“During
the Ebola crisis, we had the Sango and Osun Osogbo festivals and other
festivals across the country. Calabar festival, the largest street party in the
continent is coming up in December. . We have rested Ebola in Nigeria, and we
will continue to tame it as tourism continues to grow. Nothing will stop
tourism in Africa,” Mbanefo said.
In
her words, Ghana Minister for Tourism, Elizabeth Ajari, said Ghana has not
recorded any single Ebola case. Nonetheless, Ajari said the country is not
sitting down as measures are being put in place in case of any outbreak such
as: isolation camps, doctors on standby. “Ghana as chair of Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS), all hands must be on deck because Ebola is not
a Liberia issue but world issue. We are keeping logistics but not Ebola. We are
encouraging people to come to Africa because we are promoting regional tourism
so as tourists visit Ghana, they can also visit other countries. It is safe
here in Africa,” Ajari said.
Corroborating
Mbanefo on Nigeria’s effort in curtailing Ebola, Commissioner for Culture and
Tourism in Ogun State, Mrs. Yewande Amosun, said Ogun State is next door to Lagos
and all necessary measures are being put in place. “Ogun State has the longest
borders with Africa, the borders are well monitored, volunteers are deployed,
settings up of isolation camps in case of any outbreak and aggressive awareness
have really helped the country.”
While
enumerating unlimited treasures that can be found in Ogun State, Amusan said, Olumo Rock, a massive outcrop of
granite rocks of primitive formation, which Abeokuta, the capital of the state
derives its name from is a site to behold. What of indigenous tie and dye
fabric markets-Kemta and Asero, the oldest Bible in Nigeria in Ake’s Palace,
Ebute-Oni Tourist Beach, Yemoji Tourist Centre, Ojude Oba Festival, Lisabi
Festival, these and many more are must see for any tourist visiting Nigeria.
While
the international tour operators believe there would not be international
tourists on the continent until Ebola is gone, Africa and Africans in the industry
are of a different view.
Thisday
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