Business in the air

Just like you retire to your office seats and think about how to carry out the business of the day while you put down some bullet points on your paper, you have the opportunity of also doing so in the comfort of your cabin on air, especially, the business and first class cabins of an aircraft.

You could take your laptop with you whether you are travelling the Business class, First class or Economy class cabins.

You have absolute space for talking business on air especially, when you are on Business Class of First class.

Depending on the airline or the configuration of the aircraft, some airlines like Virgin Atlantic call their First class Upper class, some call it Premium, but you can be sure to have enough space for business chat on your long haul flights.

Your trip in the Business cabin is a high-end travel experience, featuring optimal comfort, pleasure and efficiency.

In the Business cabin, your seat is designed to provide optimal comfort. In just a few seconds, it transforms into a spacious bed up to 2 m / 6.5 ft in length, one of the longest on the market. It takes on the shape of your body and guarantees quality sleep. Thanks to its ‘enveloping’  shell, you enjoy privacy throughout your entire flight.

On board an Air France plane, the Business seat also includes an individual screen that lets you enjoy an entertainment lineup with over 500 hours of on-demand programming. A large selection of French and international newspapers is also at your disposal.

For your well-being on board, you also have a hypo allergenic feather pillow,  a pure wool blanket,  a ‘comfort and well-being’ kit that includes toiletries and a Clarins moisturiser.

The Business Cabin of any international airline provides a space and service ideal for working on board. It provides everything you need to work comfortably: a power outlet to plug in your laptop or other electronic devices,  a reading lamp that can be oriented so as not to bother or be bothered by your neighbor, noise-cancelling headphones, a personal telephone to make calls via satellite, express light meals, to lunch or dine quickly after takeoff.

Most of them have spacious and user-friendly seats

For instance on AirFrance Business class designed by ergonomics experts has been revamped to offer ideal sleeping conditions: in just a few seconds, it transforms into a bed that is 2 m / 6.5 ft long and 61 cm / 24 in wide, one of the most spacious on the market.

With its user-friendly controls, you can easily find your best position throughout your flight. You can even have your legs outstretched before takeoff, as well as during takeoff and landing.

The seat also includes a new storage space and a removable armrest to facilitate access for passengers with reduced mobility.

We are progressively installing the new Business seat on all of our long-haul aircraft. It is now available on board more than half of our fleet.

But British Airways (BA) has made a radical departure that really sets it apart from all other airlines, with a herringbone pattern of front and back facing seats that roughly alternate. The two seats on either side run head to foot, while in the middle four, the center two seats face the same direction while the aisle seat on either side faces the opposite (On planes with an upper deck, there is no middle, just two rows of two seats, each facing head to foot.

On some older three class planes (767-300 and 747-400) that have not been upgraded to the hybrid Business First, United has rear facing business class seats, but they are in pairs facing the same direction, not alternated, so you always face the same way as the person seated next to you.

KLM Royal Dutch airline has teamed up with leading Dutch designer Hella Jongerius, to introduce a brand-new atmosphere, furnishings and style in World Business Class (WBC).

In addition to the new full-flat seats, the interior features new carpeting, panel decorations, curtains, lighting, blankets, cushions and upholstery.

KLM said it will be changing all of WBC in the height of Dutch design, thereby combining its Dutch roots with international allure.

The new full-flat seat offers customers optimum comfort. It can be reclined horizontally so the passenger can lie fully flat.

The seat position in the cabin and the partition between television screens ensure greater privacy for passengers.

There are also storage compartments in the seats beside the passengers and under the television screens.

The number of seats in World Business Class will be reduced from 42 to 35 aboard the Boeing 747-400.

“I am convinced that the comfort of our new lie flat seat and this contemporary design will be greatly appreciated by our most valued customers.

“Even in times of financial difficulty, KLM continues to invest in customer comfort. I am proud of this superb and unique result: an entire World Business Class cabin created by leading Dutch designers giving our passengers that warm, at-home feeling.

“It is crucial to answer passengers’ demand and that they can get the best on board experience on our extensive long haul network,” said Henri Hourcade, general manager Air France KLM United Kingdom while launching the cabin in Amsterdam recently.

For long-haul flights to Africa, you can sleep all the way to West Africa on Arik Air Business class with its young fleet. Your leather seat with lumbar massage and privacy screen converts to a fully flat bed, the mattress is just soft enough, the duvet just fluffy enough and the pillows and turn down service, complete with an after-dinner drink, is perfect. The cabin is spacious with a 2-2-2- configuration.

There are individual 17” video monitors for each seat, mood lighting to help you relax and a selection of movies and music that will make it feel like you’ve never left your living room couch. Especially when you slip into the sleeper PJ’s and slippers provided for you.

Article accredited to Businessday

‘AMCON buy-back of N132bn airlines’ debt saves over 7,000 jobs’

The timely intervention of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in the aviation sector by taking over the over N132 billion debt of airlines have saved over 7,000 crew from losing their jobs.

When some mega airlines were almost going under last year due to insolvency, AMCON waded in and bought some of the debt burdening the airlines in a bid to keep them afloat.

The last and still current is Aero which almost collapsed until AMCON came in.

Currently, AMCON controls 60 percent shares in Aero while the remaining 40 percent belongs to the Ibrus who originally started the airline.

A debt overhang of N32 billion would have seen to the end of the airline save for the timely intervention of AMCON.

Apart from Air Nigeria which left the scene due to financial distress, others have been trying to cope in the face of lack of operational funds as they are enmeshed in debts to various agencies.

To add to the injury, the directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to commercial banks to desist from giving credit facilities to airlines, made the airlines to start thinking of accessing loans overseas, which may be more difficult.

According to the CBN, Aero Contractor owes N32.579 billion.

While reacting to the call by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Nigeria should wind up AMCON, Isaac Balami, president of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), explained that the Corporation has yet to finish its job in the country, especially, the aviation sector adding that it has reshaped the economy by stabilising companies, wondering why it should be wound up.

Balami noted however that the only aspect it will agree with the global monetary body was that its continued existence was accumulating bad debt.

He was of the opinion that many companies which had survived till now had done so as a result of AMCON’s intervention.

“We are aware that AMCON has successfully navigated over two hundred (200) interventions of debt buy over across all sectors of the Nigerian economy. In the aviation sector in particular, AMCON spread its magic wand across twelve (12) airlines (Arik, Aero, IRS, Bellview, Chanchangi, Afrijet, Albarka, Caverton, Continental, Air Nigeria, and Savannah) with over N132 billion financial involvement. Some of these transactions are still in the process of becoming manifest.

“These interventions not only saved the airlines from going under, but saved over 7,000 jobs. Without the intervention, the entire aviation sector in Nigeria would have collapsed totally like the textile sector suffered in time past. Merely contemplating such turns the stomach, not to talk of the huge chain-effect that would attend such catastrophe.

“Therefore, if AMCON’s intervention has saved the banking/financial sector, aviation sector and all the other sectors, and if AMCON has contributed so hugely to saving the economy of this country, then the government and people of Nigeria, as well as her well wishers should applaud and commend the AMCON and its clearly identifiable accomplishments – not crucify it.

He said the government should ignore the IMF call to wind up AMCON saying “it is an idea seen to be ignoble and which has been roundly discredited.

“It is nothing short of the usual imperialist chant that the IMF is identified with. The least that can be done in the circumstance is for us all to shut our ears to this highly discordant tune coming from the IMF.

“AMCON has done a commendable job. And they should be allowed to complete their assignment at their own due pace, and in their own due time. Even as we await the fuller manifestation of AMCON’s rich harvest, we, the workers salute them,” Balami added.

Article accredited to Businessday

Nigeria, Brazil restore direct air link as Arik applies for traffic rights

Nigeria and Brazil are set to restore direct air links 19 years after the Brazilian national carrier; Varig Air stopped direct flights into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Arik Air, the Nigerian carrier designated on the route has commenced the process that will enable it start direct flights into São Paulo, the Brazilian commercial nerve centre and has applied for traffic rights and slot allocation from the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (Agency National De Aviacao Civil) and the Department of Air Transport.

Vincent Okoedion, Nigeria’s ambassador to Brazil, who welcomed a delegation of Arik Air officials in Brasilia, Brazil’s capital city, said the commencement of direct flights into Brazil will open up a window of investment opportunities for Nigeria and Brazil in several areas including agriculture, aviation, power, education and culture.

“Brazil is the hub of the economies of South America, just as Nigeria is the hub of the economies in West and Central Africa. Both countries have always had that desire to see the two economies of West Africa and South America linked by direct flights.

“Today, Brazil is the sixth largest economy in the world and Nigeria is the fastest growing economy in Africa and the two countries are able to draw all the economies in their respective regions. So once you have a direct flight, this flight is not only connecting the two countries but the two regions, that is in Nigeria, the whole of West Africa and in Brazil, the whole of South America.”

The current move by Arik Air, according to Ado Sanusi, deputy managing director, was a follow-up to the meeting in February this year between President Goodluck Jonathan and President Dilma Rousseff, his Brazilian counterpart, for the restoration of air link between the two countries to boost trade, commerce and cultural ties.

Article accredited to Businessday

Tourism counts in the rainbow country

Going by its huge investments and commitment, it is no surprise that South Africa is getting it right in the tourism sector. Many indicators suggest the country is doing things differently that is resulting in positive outcome in the tourism sector that is contributing meaningfully to the Rainbow Nation’s economy.

In the first six months of 2012, tourist arrival in South Africa grew at 10.5 percent; doubling the global average and negating the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) prediction of a slowdown in tourism figures globally. A total of 4, 416, 373 tourists visited the country between January and June 2012. This significant growth has continued to upsurge year-in year-out surpassing even the year 2010 in which South Africa successfully hosted the FIFA World Cup.

In this period January to December 2012, foreign tourists spent a whooping US$8.5 billion while in South Africa. The sector, which is among the top 20 employers of labour in South Africa accounts for about 598,432 number of direct jobs in the country and contributes US$9.4 billion to its Gross Domestic Product according to 2011 Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) Statistics.

The South African government is appreciative of the collective sacrifice that is yielding result. Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, mentioned in his State of the Nation address that the Cape Town International Jazz festival event contributed more than about N9.5 billion to the economy of Cape Town and created 2, 000 jobs in 2010. This jazz event which is held annually is regarded as one of the top four of its kind in the world and it attracts more than 5000 local and international tourists to the city of Cape Town yearly.

The good story emanating from the tourism sector didn’t just happen. It is a result of a continuous aggressive marketing initiatives and bumper financial investment which is backed by a careful and well articulated research strategy.

To begin with, the country has developed its tourism sector in a competitive manner offering excellent products and services which attracts and continues to lure tourists into its shores.

Across the nine provinces; from Johannesburg in Gauteng to Cape Town in the Western Cape to up north in the North-West province, there are world class facilities, adventures and wildlife, diverse experience available to suit and satisfy the yearnings of discerning visitors.

Complementarily, the robust activity of the nation’s national carrier, South African Airways flying into about 20 African countries and about 15 international destinations quite frankly opened the rainbow nation to more than a world of possibilities.

Ultimately, South African Tourism, the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination leads the pack. With a robust niche marketing strategy that cuts across the globe, the result has been visitors pouring into South Africa in droves.

With strong presence in the USA, China, Europe and Africa in Angola and its Nigeria office opening soon, the agency have actively and aggressively market the destination.

For instance, South Africa is fast becoming destination of choice for all strata of the Nigerian society as a result of over a decade of SA Tourism innovative promotional ideas in the country.

Annually, SA Tourism holds a trade workshop in Nigeria where South African product owners, suppliers and the Nigerian trade engage in a most conducive business platform to create a win-win deal and travel packages for tourism development of both countries.

Most recently, the agency signed an agreement with the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) all in the bid to further create a more accessible platform for all Nigerians to easily access information, travel deals and packages to the rainbow nation.

Over 576 Nigerian trade have had the opportunity to be trained and empowered free by SA Tourism  through a special online programme, “FUNDI” which in less than 100 days equip participant with all the necessary knowledge on how to sell destination South Africa and tailor-made packages to suit individual budget. In addition, more than ten trained trades are selected annually to experience what they have learnt online in a scintillating South Africa Familiarisation Trip fully sponsored by SA Tourism. 

The relentless effort of SA Tourism continues to pay off in Nigeria as about 74, 000 Nigerians visited South Africa between January and December, 2012. This figure represents an impressive 13.8 percent increase compared to same period in 2011.

South Africa is not just a leisure destination. The South African National Convention Bureau, a government agency, acts as a ‘one stop solution’ for independent information and assistance, giving neutral advice on all aspects of hosting and organising any business event in South Africa.

According to Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South Africa Tourism Minister, for the next five years, South Africa has so far secured more than 200  international conferences which will attract  an estimated 300 000 delegates and provide an economic boost of more than US$190.5 million for the economy.

South Africa is the premier business events destination in Africa and in the top 15 long-haul business event destinations in the world which is constantly striving to compete with the biggest and best business events destinations in the world.

Above all, these positive tourism trends are a product of robust policies and significant support from the government of South Africa who have realized the imminent potential of the industry. 

The minister summed it up at the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI)  event in July last year when he acknowledged, “Government is also creating conditions that will help bids to succeed, such as building and enhancing our public infrastructure, enhancing airlift, especially from Africa, streamlining visas, growing our telecommunications capacity and continuing our global leadership in meeting greening requirements that is fast becoming a license to operate if you want to host mega-events, conferences and conventions.”

Article accredited to Businessday 

Relief for air travellers as new regulatory agency breaks monopoly, fosters efficiency

The Ministry of Aviation may have brought relief the way of consumers as it proposes to establish a separate economic regulatory agency to regulate financial and market practices of service providers. SADE WILLIAMS captures the details.

If the proposed autonomous Regulatory Agency, known as the Nigerian Aviation Economic Regulatory Unit (NAERU) to regulate the economic, commercial and financial practice of the aviation service providers, in the new Nigeria Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) sails through, then aviation consumers are expected to heave a sigh of relief from the seeming bondage of price fixing or monopoly by some services providers.

Thus, the yearning and aspirations of consumers would be met as the Agency aims to minimise the potential misuse of market power by aviation service providers and foster a competitive, efficient and fair commercial environment where passengers receive quality services at reasonable prices.

With this, the economic regulation of the Aviation industry would be removed from the duties of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) by the Federal Government, which experts had hitherto said the government has not been efficient in providing.

Olu Ohunayo, an aviation analyst noted that such Agency, when established, would push the nation into having bigger and an encompassing standalone anti-trust agency to take care of anti-competitive and anti-consumer behaviour.

“I am in full support of the new standalone agency, the economic monitoring and regulations under NCAA did not meet the aspirations and yearning of consumers not because they did not have competent hands but because there was more emphasis on airworthiness, safety, etc, while economic suffered,” he said.

Ohunayo however expressed pessimism that experts in that field may not be allowed to take on the jobs.

“The problem now is, will they allow experts in that field to manage the Agency or will it be another habitat for appointees? he asked.

Also speaking in favour of the proposal, John Ojikutu, another analyst noted that economic functions should not have been the function of the NCAA from the outset adding that it is no longer the practice in other countries. “Ab initio, economic regulation of the industry cannot be a function for the NCAA because there would be conflict of interest to regulate safety of a sector as well as its economy. The United States Federal Aviation Administration realised the implication of this following the report of the 9/11 mishap in 2001 and it had to give that responsibility to the Department of Trade. It will be a window for fraud, however, if the Ministry insists on taking that function,” he said.

According to the proposal, tariff of aviation service providers are to be regulated by the Economic Regulator in accordance within International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) policy and in consultation with interested stakeholders of the services.

Stella Adaeze-Oduah, Aviation minister, while presenting the new 2013 NCAP, noted that “the new unit is being established so as to minimise the potential misuse of market power by aviation service providers and foster a competitive, efficient and fair commercial environment where passengers receive quality services at reasonable prices.”

The autonomous Economic Regulatory Unit, however will be supervised by the Minister of Aviation when established.

The objectives of the new unit as stated in the Aviation Policy are to: remove leakage and ensure transparency of all financial data required to determine the basis for charges; assess and encourage efficiency and efficacy in the operation of providers or monitor and encourage investments to meet future demand.

It is also to ensure users’ views and interest are adequately taken into account apart from ensuring safety and security of operations, development and maintenance of infrastructure, promotion of competition and fair access of users to airport and air navigation services at rates and charges consistent with ICAO policies and guidelines and the NCAP.

Also, it will ensure that all aviation tariffs and charges are in accordance with ICAO policy and guidelines.

“Therefore, in pursuance of the above objectives, government will put in place necessary machinery to regulate the economics of respective airports and air navigation services and facilitate the establishment of an autonomous Aviation Economic Regulatory Unit, revenues generated by the civil aviation sector are re-invested in this sector in accordance with ICAO’s policies on charges (Doc 9082).

“Aviation charges are only applied to services rendered and in accordance with ICAO policy and guidelines and international best practices, aviation tariffs and charges are to be reviewed from time to time in accordance with the realities in the industry and in consultation with interested stakeholders.

“All aeronautical charges are to be filed with the Nigerian Aviation Economic Regulatory Unit for the purpose of anti-trust and consumer protection,” she said.

Article accredited to Businessday

Shell, CHC Helicopter sign multi-million dollar agreement

Shell International Exploration and Production B.V. has selected CHC Helicopter, the world’s leading offshore helicopter services provider, for a five-year, multi-million dollar contract to support Shell‘s deep-water exploration activities off the coast of Sub-Saharan Africa.

The agreement, which comes with five and one-year options, will dedicate two Eurocopter Super Puma L2 aircraft to helicopter transportation services and emergency medical evacuation capabilities in support of Shell’s Noble Globetrotter II Deepwater drillship’s multi-country operations.

Delivery of those services begins from July 2013. CHC has provided services in 19 different African countries for a diverse mix of customers, including oil and gas operators and the United Nations.

The company operates both AgustaWestland 139 and Sikorsky 76 aircraft for ongoing rig support across multiple drilling programs.

Chris Krajewski, CHC’s regional director for Africa and Euro-Asia, said his company has unmatched knowledge and operational experience in supporting such complex multi-country projects.

“We support customers in challenging oil and gas territories around the world, including in recent projects for EHL, Petrobras and British Gas throughout East and West Africa.

“This contract reflects CHC’s ability and our commitment to customers, as we help them safely go further and do more in Africa and around the world,” he said.

He said that CHC has particular expertise in understanding and working within different national flight requirements, as well as quickly and efficiently starting up operations in support of new contracts.

Article accredited to Businessday

Endless wait for Jackson Park

The news of the plans by the famous Jackson family from the United States of America to establish a theme park and resort of international standard in Gberefu Island, Badagry, Lagos State, was greeted with appreciation by lovers of tourism and community development.

The multi-million dollar project involves the building of a Michael Jackson Memorial Centre, a five-star hotel, an auditorium and a golf course under a group known as the Motherland.

But since 2009 when the Jackson family last visited and raised the hopes of the residents of the sleepy island on immediate action, nothing has been done on the site. The residents are disappointed because four years down the line, the project seems to have been forgotten as nothing has been done; not even foundation has been laid on the site of the proposed project expected to attract over one million foreigners and African Diaspora in a year, and by so doing create jobs, give the needed facelift to facilities in the town and improve revenue generation for further development in the area.

Those in search of adventure, who are already bored with visiting Badagry and seeing the usual sights – the first storey building in Nigeria, the Angia Tree where the gospel was first preached in Nigeria, the baracoons and the slave relics – are even more disappointed because of the delay in the project they thought would bring the long overdue spice to sights in the border town.

The rationale behind the project is the fact that about 200 years after the abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, not much has changed about the island and for the natives, Gberefu is a home that is yet to come to terms with modernity. Besides this rich historical background, the Jackson family is interested in developing the island because of its breathtaking landscape and tourism appeal.

The island is a tropical rainforest covered by coconut trees. There are little or no buildings on the island except for the tiny huts of the natives built over the years. Gberefu, separated from Badagry by the lagoon, bears a touch of mystery. Digging a little further, one would discover it was also a theatre of nightmare. Years back, it was the place where the final nail was driven into slaves about to be taken to the New World.

In the past, here was the place where a young lover’s dream of getting back his heartthrob was shattered. In the soil of Gberefu, a father’s hope of reuniting with his family died. Here in Gberefu, dreams died fast. Gberefu has the foreboding name of the ‘Point of no return’. It is the notoriety of the ‘Point of no return’ saga on the island, rather than the fame, that the Jackson family wants to undo with the planned theme park.

However, N. A. M. Sanni, the Baale of the Island, regrets that the project is taking time to come to fruition because since the first, second and third editions of the Black Heritage Festival from 2000, during the administration of Bola Tinubu, a lot has been written about Gberefu, but there is still not much in terms of development.

The Michael Jackson Memorial Centre, according to the Baale, is an appropriate investment on the island reserved solely for tourism by the Lagos State government.

While the Lagos State government was for ages waiting for the right private developer or investor to partner in projects that would turn the place into a tourism paradise, the Baale said the kick-off of the Jackson centre would have been the driving force for other investments on the island. According to the Baale, the project is being done in partnership with the Lagos State government.

Although the late pop icon, Michael Jackson, was part of the project before his demise, the Baale notes that the family would still continue with it. “Both Marlon and the elder sister of Jackson, Latoya, are still continuing with the project. It would likely kick off next year.”

That was in 2009. ‘Next year’ has, unfortunately, dragged into the second quarter of 2013 with no sign of work on site.

It baffles a lot of tourism stakeholders that at the signing of the initial documents for the project in Badagry some years ago, the Jackson family and the Lagos State government were well represented, yet the state seems quiet over the partnership that will turn things around for Badagry.

A statement from an anonymous senior staff of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and Inter-Governmental Affairs notes that the state participation implies providing land, necessary assistance, enabling environment and security, while the funding is supposed to be provided by the Jackson family. 

Marlon, one of the Jacksons, was quoted to have said in November 2011 that the project would still go on, especially now that Michael is dead, to immortalise him and draw many Diasporas back to their roots. But some tourism stakeholders believe that lack of fund is most probably the reason the project is yet to kick off.

“Michael Jackson was almost bankrupt before his demise and lots of money went into his burial. There may be nothing left for this project,” according to a source, who notes further that Michael Jackson’s fans, Lagos State government, and especially Nigerians in the Diaspora should organise fundraising to get the required fund for the project.

However, the point, according to the Baale, is to not let the dream and project die. Truly, what better credential to fame could a place have than to be part of the legacy of probably the greatest showman the world has ever seen.

 Article accredited to: Business day

FTAN, FCT tourism investment forum holds this month

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), in collaboration with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCTA), has concluded arrangements to organise Nigeria’s first tourism investment forum.

The event slated for May 21-22, 2013 will hold at the prestigious Ladi Kwali Hall of Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

According to Samuel Alabi, president, FTAN, the main objective of the programme is to enable stakeholders to discuss and address the issue of funding as a vital element to the development and maintenance of tourism products and destinations that can induce creation of new tourism frontiers.

Other reasons advanced by Alabi which necessitated the forum are: to showcase the potentials of the tourism sector to the economic development of Nigeria; to organise as well as promote local tourism products and destinations to Nigerians before taking same to the international market; to strengthen relationship between the tourism investors and their services/products providers.

The two-day event will feature a seminar and exhibition and is expected to proffer a new direction for the tourism industry, most critically the much-talked about “Tourism Intervention Fund” which is yet to see the light of day.

Participants are expected from federal agencies, states, airlines, hotels, travel agents, tour operators, among others. FTAN president assured that necessary contacts are still being made within and outside the sector to ensure that the issue of intervention fund is given the deserved attention. He said the earlier information made available by the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved a fund, but without government seed money as is done for many other sectors, will be counter-productive.

 Article accredited to: Business day

Between the two big brothers

 A sprawling landscape lies ahead as the plane touched down at the O.R Tambo International Airport. The aerial view of the city of Johannesburg is a taste of what South Africa has to offer in terms of tourism. From Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, every city, town and village has one or two breathing scenic beauty that has been the toast of tourists.

Since hosting the World Cup in 2010, South Africa has embarked on ambitious plans to increase the number of overseas visitors to the country to 15 million by 2020, in line with its National Tourism Sector Strategy targets.

Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South Africa’s minister of tourism, explains the ambitious plan aimed to increase the number of foreign tourist arrivals from over 8 million to 15 million, the number of domestic trips to 50 million, increase tourism’s contribution to the gross domestics product (GDP) from an estimated R189.4 billion in 2009 to R499 billion (over $300bn), and also create about 225, 000 new tourism jobs by 2020.

It is not a surprise that Nigeria has top the lists of arrivals to South Africa for many years. The number of arrivals from Nigeria to South Africa has doubled since 2010, Phumi Dhlomo, South African Tourism director for Africa, says.

According to him, the figures were obtained from passport records. Nigerians who visit South Africa have topped the number of arrivals of foreign nationals into the country. There was a 20.9 percent increase for the 2010 arrivals to South Africa.

“Nigeria recorded an increase of 8.8 percent of tourist arrivals in 2010,” he says, “with our records showing that 49, 520 Nigerians visited South Africa for leisure and business purposes. This figure of visitors pushed Nigeria right to the top of our tourists’ arrivals table from Africa. The January 2011 figures are no less impressive with 4,220 Nigerians visiting South Africa compared to the 3,491 in 2009 – a 20.9 percent increase.”

Like South Africa, Nigeria has started taking tourism seriously as part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Vision 20:20 plans. In its First National Implementation Plan (FNIP) outlining the priorities of Vision 20:2020 for 2010-2013, the Federal Government states its ambition to make tourism one of the five major income earners by 2020. Nigeria estimates an annual rise of 10 percent per year in tourism arrivals and projects that the sector’s contribution to GDP will stand at 2.7 percent by the end of this year.

An additional 10, 000 tourism and hospitality workers are to be trained by year end. To make this possible, there are reforms to make immigration procedures limit the duration of tourism visa application to two days. The FNIP announced investments of up to N27.91 billion to be made in the sector by the end of this year. Allocations will go into the development of resorts clusters, including the Shara Gateway around the Northern city of Kano, the Conference Cluster in the Federal Capital Territory, the scenic cluster in the highlands of the Plateau region, the Atlantic Gateway along the Lagos Badagry corridor and the Tropical Rain forest Cluster in the South East.

Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is being explored more effectively through the success of festivals and carnivals, for example, the Lagos Black Heritage Festival, the Calabar Carnival, the Argungun Fishing Festival in Kebbi, the Durbar Festival in Kano, the Mare Festival in Ondo State, Osun Osogbo Festival, among others. Funds have also been made available to open the National Arts Theatre through a public private partnership arrangement. There is also a culture and tourism fund to promote cultural tourism at home and abroad.

In addition, tourism officers are being posted to Nigerian embassies and foreign missions for the promotion of tourism outside the country. Each states in the country is also embarking on developing their tourism sites by creating festivals around them in other to develop domestic tourism. For instance, Ondo State’s annual Mare Festival attracts more than 2, 000 visitors annually the same could be said of the Osun Osogbo Festival, Calabar Carnival, Lagos Black Heritage Festival, Argungun amongst others.

There has been a positive sign in tourism development in Nigeria since the Tourism Development Fund was launched in 2012. Once the N5 billion fund has been made available for disbursement, it would be used to aid funding and capacity building in the tourism industry.

President Jonathan’s visit to South Africa will definitely cement the relationship with the rainbow country. It will also open up emerging markets for the promotion of tourism, arts, culture and fashion.  It will be a great opportunity for Nigeria and South Africa to exploit the tourism potentials of both countries for tourism exchange. The two countries decide on the best ways to market Nigeria as a destination in line with President Jonathan’s Vision 20:20.

Edem Duke, minister of culture, tourism and national orientation, told the Oxford Business Group in its Nigeria 2012 Report, that the fund would be financed by private sector contributions and supported by a percentage from sales of airline tickets and hotel rooms.

“Our vision is that 70 percent of the tourism fund,” he explained, “will go to visual art, some towards tourism infrastructure, while a certain percentage will be set aside for the development of tourism products as well as training. The training includes the establishment of tourism education programmes throughout the country, and it is providing new opportunities for more than 20 million unemployed people.”

Both Nigeria and South Africa have been making efforts to develop a mutually beneficial relationship in order to develop their tourism potential. For instance, in the past year, South African Tourism has empowered tour operators by training them on how to market destinations for tourism locally. In addition, tour operators and media have been taken on familiarisation tour to better educate them about South Africa’s tourism offerings. Some of the knowledge gained from these trips has been adapted locally.

Also, Nigeria has been marketing itself internationally through the establishment of Nigerian cultural centres in Brazil and China. It has just planned to open a similar Culture and Information Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2013. According to Duke, it is the first to be opened by Nigeria in Africa. It will be used to strengthen cultural relations, not only with the government and people of South Africa, but also with other countries in the Southern part of the continent.

“We recall the very elaborate and robust relations between Nigeria and South Africa, especially in the years of struggle against apartheid as well as the leadership role the two countries are playing in the advancement of the cause of Africa globally. This choice is also in recognition of the role Nigeria played and continues to play in the history of Southern African countries,” the minister explained.

No doubt, many Nigerians living legitimately in South Africa have been contributing to its socio-economic development as well as the maintenance of bilateral relations. Having a Nigerian Culture and Information Centre around them will enhance their activities and also complement the operations of the Nigerian High Commission.

In the same vein, Nigeria is also working with South Africa to facilitate the opening of a South African Tourism office in Nigeria.

 Article accredited to: Business day

S.A dominates 10 best airports in Africa, Nigeria missing

South African airports dominated the list of the 10 best airports in Africa in 2013, winning the first three places as well as the sixth and eighth places, while no Nigerian Airport make the first 100 in the world.

According to the details of the 2013 World Airport Awards held in Geneva, posted on the Website of the organisers on Wednesday, showed that Cape Town International Airport is the 22nd best airport in the world.
Durban King Shaka International Airport made the third position on the continent while the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is third.
No African airport made the top 10 list of the best airports in the world, which was won by Singapore's Changi Airport for the fourth time.
The awards are voted for by airport customers from around the world and this year the survey garnered 12.1 million responses.
Following are the best ten airports of the 2013 in Africa
1.Cape Town International Airport  (South Africa)
2.Durban King Shaka International Airport (South Africa)
3.Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (South Africa)
4.Cairo International Airport (Egypt)
5.Mauritius International Airport (Mauritius)
6.East London Airport (South Africa)
7.Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (Ethiopia)
8.Port Elizabeth Airport (South Africa)
9.Marrakech Menara International Airport (Morocco)
10.Seychelles International Airport (Seychelles)
(PANA/NAN)

Article accredited to: Business day