Travel/Tourism
Growing The Rural Communities Through Sustainable Tourism
By Olukayode Kolawole
The responsibility to grow our rural communities is a shared one. In fact, majority of the tourism sites in Nigeria are located in most of the rural areas. Developments in these areas are not as fast-paced as urban communities.
Every year, rural development always finds its way to the government’s shopping list but somehow doesn’t make it to the priority list. Reasons for this might include, but not limited to, insufficient budget, lack of proper planning and measurable goals.
Most of the tourism sites in the country domicile within these rural communities. It is therefore surprising why we are investing hugely to develop these communities, considering the fact that we are making conscious efforts to grow our tourism and travel industry into a melting pot.
Sustainable tourism implies that a tourist who visits a place tries to make positive impact on the environment, society and economy as well. There are a good number of ways to do this: respect the people who call the location home, their culture and customs and the socio-economic system in the area.
While it is not surprising that often times people tend to confuse sustainable tourism with ecotourism, whereas ecotourism is actually an aspect of sustainable tourism; this article will focus on the economic importance of ecological tourism (ecotourism).
Tourism has many merits, no doubt. One of its demerits is that it causes damage on the environment.
Ecotourism, on the other hand, seeks to promote responsible travel to natural areas that protect the environment and advance the prosperity of the local people. It aims to provide a fun, relaxing vacation while protecting the surrounding ecosystem.
It often works to train and engage the participants in an eco-friendly lifestyle. The adverse effects of hotels, trails and other infrastructure are reduced through the use of either recycled supplies or abundantly existing local building materials, recycling, renewable sources of energy and safe disposal of waste and refuse.
If well managed, ecotourism will contribute actively to the maintenance of natural and cultural heritage, namely, inclusion of local and indigenous communities in its planning, development and operation, which reduces poverty and enhances intercultural & environmental understanding.
As a responsible traveller who is interested in minimizing the negative impacts of his tour and if you take special interest in local nature and cultures, ecotourism should appeal to you.
Remote areas, whether populated or unpopulated and are typically under some kind of environmental protection at different levels are destinations for ecotourism. Regulating the number of tourists and type of behaviour will ensure limited damage to the ecosystem as well as contribute to the minimization of its impact.
Tourists and residents of nearby communities need to be educated before departure through reading materials about the country they are visiting, location and the people, as well as a code of conduct for both the traveller and the industry. This information helps prepare the tourists.
Well-trained, multilingual naturalist guides serve to educate members of the neighbouring community, students and the larger community in the host country. To do so, entrance and lodge fees for nationals must be reduced and free educational travels for indigenous students and those living near the tourist attraction should be encouraged.
In addition, it also helps increase funds for ecological protection, investigation and education through a selection of apparatuses, including park entrance fees, tour companies, hotels, hotel booking portals like Jumia Travel, airlines and airport taxes and voluntary contributions.
National parks and other conservation areas will only subsist if there are “happy people” around their borders. The inclusion and participation of the local community is critical to the success of ecotourism.
These communities should receive proceeds and other physical benefits (potable water, roads, hospitals, etc.) from the conservation area and its tourist amenities.
Campgrounds, hotels, chaperon services, restaurants and other enterprises should be run by or in partnership with communities surrounding a park or other tourist destinations.
For ecotourism to be seen as a tool for rural development, total economic and political control must be given to the communal, township, cooperative, or entrepreneur.
This is the most challenging and time wasting idea in the economic equation and the one that foreign operators most often let it slip through the cracks or that they follow only partially or formally.
Tourism helps in building international understanding and world peace although this does not happen automatically; frequently in fact, tourism strengthens the economies of repressive and high-handed states.
Mass tourism pays scarce attention to the political structure of the host country or struggles within it, unless civil unrest escapes into outbreaks on tourists. Ecotourism demands a more holistic method to travel, one in which participants try to respect, study about and profit both the local environment and local communities.
In many emerging countries, rural residents around national parks and other ecotourism attractions are sealed in contests with the government and transnational corporations for control of the assets. Eco-tourists should therefore be sensitive to the host country’s political environment and social climate and need to contemplate the merits of global boycotts called for by those supportive of democratic reforms.
Olukayode Kolawole is a Head of PR & Marketing at Jumia Travel NG
By Dipo Olowookere
The Enugu Christmas Village has been commissioned by the Minister of Arts, Tourism, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Ms Hanatu Musawa; and the Governor of Enugu State, Mr Peter Mba.
This development officially kicked off the holiday season in the state, giving residents and others from across Nigeria and outside the opportunity to relax in an atmosphere of love, positioning Enugu as a key destination for cultural and holiday tourism.
Facilitated by Omu Resort, a leading tourism promoter in Africa, the Enugu Christmas Village is set to become the heartbeat of holiday celebrations in the state.
The company has already organised a 25-day festival at the village designed to attract residents, visitors, and dignitaries from across the region.
With its vibrant atmosphere and festive attractions, the Enugu Christmas Village boasts an array of attractions such as a waterpark, roller skating, archery, amusement rides, and much more.
At its centre is a breathtaking display of 500,000 Christmas lights, illuminating the village in a magical glow that promises to captivate visitors of all ages.
The festival goes beyond the lights and rides, offering a rich tapestry of events that celebrate the state’s cultural heritage.
Highlights include Afrobeat Concert, Praise Night, Highlife Concert Street Carnival, Cultural Parade and a Grand Fireworks Show.
One of the most anticipated moments is the Santa Street Storm, where over 100 Santa Claus figures riding tricycles will parade through the streets, distributing gifts to orphanages and the less privileged, spreading joy and goodwill.
Running from December 7 to December 31, 2024, the Enugu Christmas Festival is more than just a celebration of the holiday season. It underscores the state’s cultural vibrancy and its potential as a leading tourist destination.
The festival offers a unique opportunity for families and friends to come together, celebrate, and unwind in a festive atmosphere. It is also expected to fosters unity and showcases the rich cultural heritage of Enugu State, while promoting arts, tourism, and community well-being.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading airline operators, Emirates Airline, has officially unveiled its first Airbus A350-900 at an exclusive event showcase in Dubai attended by aerospace partners, government officials and dignitaries, members of the media, as well as aviation enthusiasts.
The Emirates A350 features three spacious cabin classes, accommodating 312 passengers in 32 next-generation Business Class lie-flat seats, 21 Premium Economy seats and 259 generously pitched Economy Class seats.
The latest onboard products reflect the airline’s commitment to delivering a premium passenger experience while optimising operational efficiency. The Emirates A350 is the first new aircraft type to join Emirates’ fleet since 2008.
Apart from its newly delivered A350, Emirates operates two other aircraft types around the world to 140 destinations – the widebody Boeing 777 aircraft and the iconic ‘double decker’ Airbus A380 aircraft.
The A350’s introduction will enable Emirates to expand into new destinations globally, including mid-sized airports unsuited for larger aircraft. The Emirates A350 will be delivered in two versions – one for regional routes and one for ultra long-haul routes.
The Emirates A350 takes technology to another level. Customers can now adjust their electric window blinds at the touch of a button.
The aerBlade dual blind system will feature in Business and Premium Economy Class offering two shaded options, and the aerBlade single blind systems will make a debut in Economy Class, with all blinds showing the Emirates Ghaf tree motif when closed.
Business Class on the Emirates A350 will feature 32 luxurious leather ‘S Lounge seats’, inspired by the Mercedes S Class for an exceptional travel experience. The A350 aircraft will feature brand new additions of wireless charging on the side cocktail table in Business Class, and in-seat lighting controls with 5 streams of light. The 1-2-1 seat configuration in the A350 Business Class ensures a very private, exclusive experience.
Speaking at the event, the chairman of Emirates Airline, Mr Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said, “Today is an exciting milestone for Emirates as we showcase our first A350 and usher in a new era for our fleet and network growth.
“This aircraft sets the stage for Emirates to spread its wings farther by offering added range, efficiency and flexibility to our network, enabling us to meet customer demand in new markets and unlock new opportunities in the cities that we serve.
“Onboard, our updated interiors and seating configurations will help us deliver a more elevated and comfortable experience to travellers across every cabin class.
“The 65 Emirates A350s joining our fleet in the coming years fit into the airline’s broader plans to support our visionary leadership’s Dubai’s D33 Strategy, which will transform the city into a pivotal hub in the global economy by expanding its connectivity and reach.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Some employees of Air Peace have upgraded their aviation safety skills at a training course organised by Boeing through the Boeing Global Learning Institute (BGLI) in collaboration with Cranfield University, United Kingdom as part of a shared commitment to shaping the future of aviation leadership.
Over the years, Air Peace has recognized that a deep, unwavering commitment to safety is key to its continued success.
The programme is aimed at building upon that vision, enabling executives to lead with confidence, manage risks effectively, and create high-performing teams that prioritize safety at every level.
In the five-day in-person training, all the executives and others in the various departments of Air Peace were taught advanced safety leadership skills and gained practical tools to implement the new knowledge.
The Head of Aerospace at Cranfield University, Prof Graham Braithwaite, said, “This collaboration ensured that the training directly addresses the challenges Air Peace faces, culminating in real-world capstone projects that would have a lasting impact.”
Reinforcing this position, the Lecturer for Organisational Resilience and Change at Cranfield School of Management, Fabian Steinmann, who was excited at the great progress Air Peace made over the years, said that they are happy to learn and share knowledge and find ways to strengthen the system, making it robust and flexible to adapt to the ever-changing environment.
“Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Cranfield so the privilege we have is that we travelled around the world, picked up the good practices, learned more about the culture and the operation in various countries so we’re here to facilitate that exchange with Nigeria and Air Peace to see how we share some of the good practices and lessons learned from all around the world and translate them into their operation.”
Also, the Senior Organisational Consultant and Programme Manager at Boeing Global Learning Institute, Harry Magui, said, “The Boeing company has long recognised the importance of supporting continuous learning of our aviation partners.
“To that end, the Boeing Global Learning Institute designs and delivers numerous learning programmes to both emerging and established leaders of our partners.
“These efforts aim to develop leadership, business, and technical skills so that our partners can improve their business processes, increase operational efficiency and enable leaders to strengthen their teams to ultimately grow their business.’
Alluding to the great work Air Peace has done in making safety a pre-condition rather than just a priority, Magui said, “We’re here to partner with our great partner, Air Peace who have been phenomenal in advancing the Aviation Industry in Nigeria, so we are here to support them to harness more opportunities in the future with the Advanced Leadership in Safety Excellence Training for all its top leadership within the organization.”
The Safety Manager at Air Peace, Captain Godfrey Ogbogu, said, “This class is quite essential and we’re lucky to have our resource persons impact knowledge on us. It is a well-structured training, especially for Air Peace because of where we are now and where we hope to go in the future.
“The whole essence of this class is to reinforce what we know before and be exposed to other avenues of learning. The aviation industry is ever-changing and dynamic, and Air Peace has to be abreast of such developments.”
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