Travel/Tourism
Tourism Doesn’t Just Boost Economies, it Can Also Foster Peace and Equity

With anti-tourism protests erupting in major cities around the world, including Barcelona, Venice, and Athens, it would be all too easy to believe that tourism has become an area of contestation rather than an economic force for good. Dig into the complaints of the protestors – including a reduction in affordable housing, anti-social behaviour, and poorly regulated labour markets, and that belief could become even more entrenched.
But as vocal as anti-tourism protests have been, particularly in Europe, there is still overwhelming evidence to show that the sector remains a net positive. Not only does it provide economic benefits, but it can actually foster peace and equity.
In order for that to happen, however, players within the hospitality sector must play their part too. A key component of that is ensuring that they’re putting out the right kind of messaging to the right audiences.
Fostering peace
A research report compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) for the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), for example, found a correlation between peace and tourism. According to the report, the strongest links are between sustainable tourism and what it labels Positive Peace (a concept which can broadly be defined as the societal structures, attitudes, and institutions which create and sustain peace within societies).
For an example of how sustainable tourism can promote positive peace, it’s worth looking at a country like Rwanda. As Vision of Humanity points out, government efforts to clear landmines, conserve wildlife, and promote gorilla trekking have helped it build a tourism industry. That, in turn, means that visitors to the country come away with a completely different view of Rwanda and Rwandans.
Not only does this kind of sustainable tourism encourage people to be more tolerant of others, it also incentivises governments to be more welcoming of international visitors. Additionally, it can result in improved information flows both within a country and across borders. It may even aid cross-border relations with neighbouring countries as they see the benefits and take similar approaches themselves.
Promoting equity
Properly implemented tourism programmes can also improve equity within countries. Job creation and economic opportunities are probably the most obvious ways they can do so, but tourism promotes equity in other ways too.
Increased tourism revenue can, for example, lead to better infrastructure, such as roads, public transportation, and amenities that benefit the entire community. It can also incentivise the preservation of local cultural heritage, which can strengthen community identity and pride.
Tourism can also provide opportunities for young people and women that they might not otherwise have. The same is true for indigenous communities, who will be better placed to preserve their traditions and generate income through cultural tourism initiatives.
Messaging matters
As important as tourism can be for fostering peace and equity, it cannot do so without effective communication and messaging.
“Whether you’re looking to grow tourism numbers or manage relations in an established tourism market, communication is essential,” says Rachel Irvine, CEO of creative communications firm Irvine Partners, which has represented numerous tourism and hospitality groups including Mariott, Raddisson, and BON Hotels. “But it’s especially important if you’re looking to build the kind of tourist environment that fosters peace and justice.”
As she points out, the kind of communication required from stakeholders is multi-faceted.
“Tourism stakeholders looking to take this approach can’t just afford to market to their ideal customer base and hope for the best,” she says. “That just screams the kind of exclusionary tourism that ultimately creates societal problems. Instead, tourism stakeholders must communicate effectively and transparently with local communities. In doing so, they must remember that communication is a two-way exercise and establishing feedback from locals can help identify areas for improvement and address any negative impacts of tourism.”
Communication, she points out, can also be effective in educating visitors about how they can move through tourism destinations in ways that are sensitive to locals.
“Most destinations won’t have to go as far as Amsterdam’s “stay away” campaign,” Irvine says, “but by recognising that they are the conduit between visitors and locals and communicating as such, they can play an important role in ensuring that hospitality continues to be viewed as a net positive.”
Find the right messenger
Of course, striking that balance isn’t always easy, but as Irvine points out, it can be made a lot easier by ensuring that you have the right communications partners onboard.
“A seasoned communication partner with local knowledge and expertise will go a long way to ensuring that you’re viewed as the kind of tourism stakeholder that encourages and helps foster peace and equity,” she says. “Moreover, they’ll be able to help ensure you communicate that intent with actions as well as words.”
Travel/Tourism
How to Travel Like a Pro This Easter – With Smart and Essential Hacks

Easter is almost here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to escape the everyday hustle and embark on a memorable adventure. Whether you’re craving some ‘chilling’ time, quality ‘family’ time, or a ‘pepper dem’ getaway, Nigeria offers endless possibilities for exploration. And the best part? Travelling locally has never been easier or more affordable.
Whether you’re a ‘newbie’ traveller or a seasoned pro, we’ve got you covered with essential hacks that will make your trip a breeze. Say goodbye to stress and hello to smooth sailing as you navigate your Easter getaway like a true travel expert.
Planning your trip is like packing your suitcase – essential, not optional
Just like you wouldn’t leave home without your power-bank (just in case!), don’t head off on a quick trip without a plan. A little prep can save you time, money, and stress — from booking flights and sorting transport, to packing light and right.
Nigeria has endless ways to travel. Flying with local airlines like Air Peace or Ibom Air is quick and budget-friendly, while renting a car gives you the freedom to explore scenic routes like the drive to Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls or the journey to Obudu Cattle Ranch. Not into driving? Buses like Peace Mass or God is Good are easy and affordable. And for a truly luxurious experience, you could even consider a chartered flight – if you’re balling!
Travel like a pro: The art of smart packing
Packing smartly is a crucial travel hack that can save both time and money. Amelia Campher recently shared on TikTok how she organised her hair, beauty, makeup, and personal accessories into different vanity cases and toiletry bags from Temu. Each one perfectly stores her daily essentials, keeping everything neat and accessible. She excitedly told her followers, “This is your sign to buy these bags!” Her clever packing strategy ensures that she’s ready for any trip without unnecessary clutter or stress.
Take Jasmin’s experience, for example. After getting hit with extra carry-on fees on a previous flight, she decided to be smarter about her upcoming family trip. In her search for a solution, she found the perfect backpack on Temu for just under ₦40k. Ticking all the boxes, it avoided extra carry-on fees and allowed her to efficiently pack 16 items plus a makeup bag. When they arrived at the airport, Jasmin’s family breezed through check-in with no issues, their backpacks meeting size requirements perfectly. No extra charges, no stress; just a smooth start to their unforgettable five-day family trip.
Backpacks aren’t just ideal for air travel – they’re also perfect for road trips. Whether you’re cramming your car with family and their belongings or flying high, packing smart and light is essential. A compact, well-organised backpack can make your journey easier, no matter the mode of transport.
To avoid unexpected charges when flying within Nigeria this Easter, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with airline baggage policies; while Economy Class typically permits 15kg to 20kg of checked luggage, and Premium Economy or Business Class allows up to 30kg, always verify specific weight limits with your chosen airline to prevent costly excess baggage fees, especially if you plan on packing more than the standard allowance.
No passport needed: Pack your bags for a Naija Detty Easter
Why travel halfway across the world when Nigeria has it all? This Easter, skip the long-haul and discover the treasures on your doorstep. From the buzzing streets of Lagos to the ancient city of Benin and the serene hills of Jos, unforgettable adventures are just a short trip away.
By travelling locally, you’re not only creating new memories — you’re also supporting local tourism and helping grow our economy. With so many destinations to explore, there’s something for every kind of traveller. So pack your bags, plan smartly, and make this Easter your best Naija Detty holiday yet.
Travel/Tourism
Interest for Trump’s $5m Golden Visa Dwindles

The latest analysis from Astons reveals that online search interest in Donald Trump’s US Gold Card has rapidly dwindled in the days following the President’s announcement, while interest in European Golden Visa programmes has remained steadfast.
The US President has announced plans to introduce a “Gold Card” visa scheme through which he hopes wealthy foreigners will invest at least $5m in the US economy in exchange for what Trump calls “Green Card privileges“.
Astons has analysed global Google search trend data* for terms related to Golden Visas in the days and weeks following Trump’s announcement and found that while there was an initial flurry in search interest, this quickly dwindled. And even at its peak, it never surpassed the interest garnered by the Golden Visa programmes offered by Spain and Greece.
In the 10 days immediately following Trump’s Gold Card announcement, the online search interest score for the term ‘US golden visa’ averaged out at 27.90. Meanwhile, the term ‘US gold card’ scored 24.10, while ‘Trump golden visa’ scored 22.20.
During the same time frame, search interest in European Golden Visas was significantly stronger. ‘Spain golden visa’ scored 38.90, while interest in ‘Greece golden visa’ was scored at 36.50.
However, after this initial 10 days following the announcement, interest in Trump’s offering rapidly decline, as during the subsequent 10-day period, search interest in ‘US gold card’ fell by -82.6%, interest in ‘Trump golden visa’ fell by -76.1%, and interest in ‘US golden visa’ fell by -55.6%.
At the same time, interest in European golden visa programmes remained steadfast.
In fact, interest in ‘Greece golden visa’ increased by +1.1%, while interest in ‘Spain golden visa’ remained unchanged at 38.90.
Astons Business Development Director and Head of Astons Cyprus Office, Denis Kravchenko, commented:
“Donald Trump’s plan to introduce what is essentially a residency by investment program that, apparently, provides a quick path for citizenship to the US has understandably generated a surge in interest and speculation. But the $5m price tag is likely going to be far too high to result in a large enough level of uptake for it to reduce the US’s national debt as it is intended to do.
It is also possible that this new programme could become more popular than America’s existing EB-5 visa programme which already offers green cards to those who are willing to invest between $800,000–$1m into the US economy, so doubts around investors now being willing to pay a substantially higher price for residency are well-founded.
Should Trump decide to scrap the EB-5, one of the world’s oldest residency by investment programmes having been introduced by President George H. W. Bush under the Immigration Act of 1990, it will be all the more surprising given that 2024 saw 5,000 applications for the programme, marking an annual uplift of 85%.
It remains unclear whether Trump’s program will offer any substantial advantages—such as expedited processing – currently, the EB-5 path to a green card takes between one and ten years depending on nationality with the absence of stringent background checks—to motivate investors to commit more funds.
Trump may face further challenges due to there being other countries in the world that offer far more accessible programmes. Investors can, for example, qualify for Maltese citizenship through exceptional naturalisation for an investment of around 1 million euros, for which an investor can obtain citizenship to an EU member state in an average of 1.5 years without the need for permanent relocation.
Then there are the multitude of European Golden Visa programmes that are also far more budget-friendly than Trump’s new initiative. Hungary launched a new residency program in summer 2024, requiring a minimum investment of at least 250,000 euros, and Portugal’s offer starts at a minimum investment of 500,000 euros.
However, it’s Greece’s Golden Visa opportunities that are proving most popular of all,
Despite the entry investment threshold recently being raised, it is still possible to obtain residency by purchasing property for just 250,000 euros. Somewhat ironically, it’s young Americans who are driving the recent surge in demand for Greek Golden Visas which, in 2024, set a record, issuing 17,194 visas (based on 11 months of data).”
Travel/Tourism
Airbus Showcases Hydrogen Aircraft Technologies

By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Airbus has provided an update on its roadmap to pioneer the future of commercial aviation in the decades to come, outlining plans to prepare a next-generation single-aisle aircraft that could enter service in the second half of the 2030s, as well as its revised ZEROe project roadmap to mature the technologies associated with hydrogen-powered flight.
This was at the 2025 Airbus Summit, where the firm reconfirmed its commitment to bringing to market a commercially viable hydrogen aircraft and presented some of the key technology building blocks that will enable the advent of a fully electric, fuel-cell powered commercial aircraft – a pathway which stands out as the most promising, following years of research into hydrogen aviation.
These technologies were notably showcased as part of a new, notional concept of a hydrogen aircraft powered by four, 2-megawatt electric propulsion engines, each driven by a fuel cell system that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy.
The four fuel cell systems would be supplied via two liquid hydrogen tanks. This concept will continue to be refined over the coming years as additional tests will help mature the technologies associated with hydrogen storage and distribution, as well as with the propulsion systems.
In 2023, Airbus successfully demonstrated a 1.2MW hydrogen-propulsion system, and in 2024, end-to-end testing of an integrated fuel cell stack, electric motors, gearboxes, inverters and heat exchangers was completed.
To address liquid hydrogen handling and distribution challenges in flight, Airbus, in collaboration with Air Liquide Advanced Technologies, has developed the Liquid Hydrogen BreadBoard (LH2BB) in Grenoble, France.
Integrated ground testing is planned for 2027 at the Electric Aircraft System Test House in Munich, combining the propulsive bench and hydrogen distribution system for comprehensive system validation.
“Hydrogen is at the heart of our commitment to decarbonise aviation. While we’ve adjusted our roadmap, our dedication to hydrogen-powered flight is unwavering.
“Just as we saw in the automotive sector, fully electric aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells have the potential in the longer term to revolutionise air transport for the better, complementing the sustainable aviation fuel pathway,” the Head of Future Programmes at Airbus, Bruno Fichefeux, stated.
“Over the last five years, we have explored multiple hydrogen-propulsion concepts, before down-selecting this fully electric concept. We are confident it could provide the necessary power density for a hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft and could evolve as we mature the technology.
“In the coming years, we will concentrate on advancing the storage, distribution and propulsion systems, while also advocating for the regulatory framework needed to ensure these aircraft can take flight,” the Head of the ZEROe Project at Airbus, Glenn Llewellyn, added.
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