Travel/Tourism
Jumia Travel Hosts Tourism Summit Wednesday
By Dipo Olowookere
Leading online travel agency, Jumia Travel Nigeria has announced plans to hold a tourism summit in Lagos on Wednesday, March 29, 2017.
Experts from various sectors of the tourism industry will converge to brainstorm on what Nigerian/African travellers are searching for – the new trends and how these expectations can met by each stakeholder responsible for enriching their travel experience.
The company’s Head of PR & Marketing, Mr Olukayode Kolawole, made the disclosure in a press statement, adding that facilitating a summit to discuss critical industry issues has always been a key focus for the company. He also stated that the panelists for the summit have been drawn from various sectors within the hospitality industry.
“These experts have hands-on experiences from interacting with travelers at different point of their journey. The selection of the panelists was meticulously done to allow for a rich and diverse contribution from each of them.
For instance, Mr Ikechi Uko is the CEO & organizer of Akwaaba African Travel Market. He’s also the publisher of ATQ magazine – the first (if not only) travel magazine in West Africa. The event is a convergence point for Africans to discuss, impact and share ideas on how to advance the African hospitality industry by highlighting the inevitable roles of each stakeholder, the government inclusive. Mr. Uko is a well-respected expert in the industry. His presence at any travel & tourism event will no doubt leave the participants in awe and intellectually enriched at the end of the programme”.
Other panelists billed to speak at the event are: Kushal Dutta, MD Jumia Travel Nigeria; Anthony Shishler, MD Fahrenheit Hotel; Bakare Abiola, Kenya Airways; Sam Adeleke, Afro Tourism; Chiamaka Obuekwe, Founder Social Prefect Tours; and Tosin Ajibade, Founder, Olorisupergal & Travel Africa Story.
The press statement also highlighted some of the questions the panelists will be providing answers to, such as: What are travelers looking for – the new trends? How can these expectations be met? What differentiates the 20th century traveler from the 21st? What roles do airline operators play in contributing to a traveler’s experience? What are the flight booking trends? What class enjoy the most bookings? How do airline operators make the flight more than just flying? How does the interaction with the airline add up to the traveler’s gross experience? What kind of hotel accommodations do travelers expect? What kind do they get? What is the booking pattern/trend for leisure travelers? What amenities are these travelers searching for the most? How much in advance do travelers book hotels? How do hoteliers plan to make travelers experience more interesting? Beyond keeping one’s head under the hotel roof, what extra do hotels offer? What would make a traveler to want to return to the same hotel every single time? Are Nigerian travelers difficult to satisfy? Do they ask for more than they can get or deserve or pay for?
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric facial recognition system designed to make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across its domestic airports.
According to FAAN, the new technology will allow passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition after a one-time enrolment, reducing reliance on physical identification documents and shortening queues through automated electronic gates.
The authority said the system is expected to enhance airport security while improving the overall travel experience for domestic passengers.
FAAN added that V-Pass has been developed with data privacy at its core and is compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency described the initiative as part of its commitment to delivering smarter, technology-driven airport services and said nationwide sensitisation and rollout updates would be announced in due course.
Airports in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates already deploy facial recognition technology for processes such as check-in, security screening, immigration and boarding, so the move also aligns Nigeria’s aviation sector with a growing global trend towards contactless travel.
These systems have been adopted to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security and enhance the overall passenger experience.
For FAAN, the deployment of V-Pass forms part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising airport operations and accommodating rising passenger traffic.
Experts say that beyond improving convenience, the authority expects the biometric platform to strengthen identity verification, reduce the risk of impersonation and support more efficient airport security, while maintaining compliance with data protection.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 14.12 per cent stake in Ikeja Hotel Plc has been acquired by Honeywell Group Limited, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
Honeywell Group took up the part of the hospitality firm through one of its affiliates known as HGL Real Estate Limited.
Ikeja Hotel, in the disclosure filed with the NGX on July 2, 2026, said the stake comprised 305,323,525 units of its equities.
“Ikeja Hotel hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the general public that it has received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares, representing 14.12 per cent shareholding in the company,” the notice stated.
Ikeja Hotel is one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality investment and hotel management companies with premium hospitality assets.
It operates two leading hospitality organisations in Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Balmoral Convention Centre.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 10 hospitality establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The affected businesses are located in different locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the metropolis, Business Post learned from a statement from the agency.
It was stated that they were sealed by LASEPA for persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and several opportunities to comply with the agency’s directives.
According to the notice, the enforcement exercise was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State government to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and to safeguard public health.
The affected facilities were said to have breached various environmental regulations, including noise pollution, air pollution, unlawful discharge of untreated effluent, obstruction of official duties, among others.
LASEPA closed the premises of Granduer Meridian at Obasa Akiniyi Street, Oluwaga, Ipaja for non-compliance with the agency’s directives; Lasola (Spazio Bar), located on Ipaja Road, Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja, was sealed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives; Millennium Restaurant, located at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja, Ayobo, was shut down for non-compliance with directives; O2 Exquisite Suites & Tower on Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; and Chirozz Hotel & Suites, located on Samuel Street, Akowonjo, by Vulcanizer Bus Stop, Egbeda, was closed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives.
In addition, House 7 Hotel, located at Remi Akande Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with LASEPA’s directives; House 48 on Isiba Oluwo Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; Exclusive Hotel, located at Ishan Kimishe, Akesan Bus Stop, was shut down by non-compliance with directives; Sabola Ventures Limited, Iocated at Km 11, LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, was shut down for operating without evidence of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and discharging untreated effluent into public drains; and City Int’l Motel, located at Chief Olu-Adegbite Street, off Oladun Street, Council Bus Stop, Idimu, was sealed for non-compliance with directives.
