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Category Tourism

  • Apr, Thu, 2020
Tourism

Coronavirus negatively impacting on entertainment, tourism sectors–Don

Impact
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, April 2, 2020 (NAN) An ecotourism expert, Prof. Lameed Gbolagade, says the coronavirus pandemic is negatively impacting on the entertainment and tourism sectors.

Gbolagade, a professor of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Ibadan, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

The don said  that with the shutdown of borders,  activities in the entertainment and tourism sectors had been grounded.

According to him, the global community is already losing interest in recreation and relaxation activities.

“If these effects of total lockdown persist longer than expected, many tourism centers or recreational areas will become moribund and irreversible effect may set in.

“To re-activate such events and centres will become both expensive and only serious minded stakeholders would be interested, ” he said.

Gbolagade, however, said that nature has ways of correcting itself, adding that this could work to some extent to favour restoration of some centres. (NAN)
CC/ACA/OJO
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(Edited by Chidinma Agu/Mufutau Ojo)

  • Apr, Wed, 2020
Tourism

Social distancing: Monarch expresses satisfaction with level of compliance by subjects

Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, Towulade of Akinale town in Ogun 

 

Social distancing: Monarch expresses satisfaction with level of compliance by subjects

Compliance

By Taiye Olayemi

Lagos, April 1, 2020 (NAN) Oba Olufemi Ogunleye of Akinale in Ogun, has expressed satisfaction with the rate of his subjects’ compliance with the Federal Government’s directive on social distancing, to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

The Towulade of Akinale told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday that the people had adhered to all preventive measures advocated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Federal Ministry of Health.

“I’m quite impressed that people are complying with the preventive measures of constant hand washing, sanitising and general improvement on personal hygiene.

” I held a townhall meeting with my people and we have sensitised them on what to do; they are adhering to all.

” We made them realise that they must wash their hands thoroughly before engaging in any form of local production.

” We have been able to educate them well enough to guard against being apprehensive, but to always stay cautious,” he said.

The monarch also disclosed that most of the community members had embraced some other ancient herbs which, according to him, had been used during such forms of pandemic in the past.

” Most of the people have started using this herb called ‘tagiri’ in Yoruba language; this is an ancient herb to ward off evil in the land.

” I pray for the entire nation, may God protect us all at this critical period,” he said. (NAN)

PTB/KTO/EMO
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Ejike Obeta

 

  • Apr, Wed, 2020
Tourism

KTSTA negotiates with company to provide more vehicles

KTSTA negotiates with company to provide more vehicles

Negotiation

Abdullahi Shugaba

Katsina, April 1, 2020 (NAN) The General Manager of Katsina State Transport Authority (KTSTA), Alhaji Haruna Musa, says the State Government is negotiating with TATA Company to provide more vehicles to the authority.

Musa disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina on Wednesday.

He said TATA is a company based in Lagos that manufactures different brands of buses and cars for sale to the public.

He said that the need to purchase more buses for the outfit was imperative in view of the growing demand for its services.

The general manager said with additional buses, the company would be able to satisfy the demands of many passengers who want to travel to different destinations across the country.

He said as soon as the authority got more buses it would cover all the states in the federation.

He commended members of the public for their high patronage, reiterating that the organisation would not compromise passengers’ safety and comfort. (NAN)
AIS/ESAN/AMY

Edited by Abiodun Esan and Abdullahi Yusuf

  • Mar, Mon, 2020
Tourism

COVID-19: NIWA donates N10m to NCDC, LASG

COVID-19: NIWA donates N10m to NCDC, LASG

 

Donation

 

By Taiye Olayemi

 

Lagos, March 30, 2020 (NAN) The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has donated N10 million to the Lagos State Government and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to help in the fight against spread of COVID-19.

 

Mr Tayo Fadile, General Manager, Corporate Affairs of NIWA, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos.

 

According to NIWA, N5 million was given to NCDC and another N5 million to the Lagos State government.

 

It said the donation was made out of concern about the ravaging impact of the pandemic to the nation.

 

“As part of our corporate social responsibilities, we graciously donate the sum of N5 million to the NCDC and another N5 million to the Lagos State Government.

 

“This will help government fight the killer virus with more vigor and determination,” it said.

 

It said the management also urged all Nigerians to obey government directives on COVID-19, as the only way to restore sanity and ensure safety and well-being of everybody in the country.

 

Dr George Moghalu, Managing Director of NIWA, has directed that NIWA’s infrastructure like Ferry terminals, Dockyards, River ports, Jetties, Water Crafts, Barges and Tug boats nationwide be sanitised and the highest level of hygiene be maintained.(NAN)

 

PTB/AMM/WOJ

 

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Wale Ojetimi

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  • Mar, Sun, 2020
Tourism

COVID-19: We have reduced activities on Nigerian waterways — NIWA MD

COVID-19: We have reduced activities on Nigerian waterways — NIWA MD

By Taiye Olayemi
Lagos, March 29, 2020 (NAN) The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) says it has reduced activities on the Nigerian waterways to curtail the spread of the ravaging COVID-19.
Dr George Moghalu, Managing Director of NIWA, made the disclosure in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said at the onset of COVID-19 outbreak, NIWA directed operators on the waterways to minimise their activities to give room for social distancing as advised by government.
He said NIWA also supplied sanitisers, hand gloves, masks and other materials to jetties across the country in compliance with preventive measures recommended by World Health Organisation (WHO) and Federal Ministry of Health.
According to him, these materials were distributed through the organisation’s area offices.
“Presently, operations on the waterways is on a skeletal level, we told operators to minimise their activities and they have complied.
“We have made them understand that any vessel operating now will not operate at full capacity, likewise boat operators.
“The operators have been told to convey half of their usual passengers capacity, meaning if a boat is supposed to convey 20 passengers, 10 should be carried now.
“This will give room for social distancing just like vehicles are not allowed to carry full capacity.
“We have also provided some materials like sanitisers, hand gloves, masks and other materials at various jetties and passengers points across the country,” he told NAN.
Moghalu said that to further ensure adequate sensitisation on COVID-19, some pamphlets had been produced and distributed at all jetties to educate the populace on preventive measures.
He said the corporate affairs department of the organisation would look into the possibility of producing the pamphlets in other local languages for adequate comprehension for some people.
“We distribute the pamphlets at all take-off and landing points, encouraging people to observe what they have been told to do at this critical period,” the NIWA boss said.
Moghalu commended Federal Government’s efforts so far in containing the spread of coronavirus, urging the National Orientation Agency(NOA) to come up with more innovative ideas on sensitising the populace.
“NOA with offices in all the local government areas should create innovative platforms to educate people at the grassroots on COVID-19.
“Leaders at various levels should engage in some kind of sensitisation too,” he said. (NAN)
PTB/VIV/WOJ
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Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Wale Ojetimi
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  • Mar, Sat, 2020
Tourism

COVID-19: Boat operators association urges members to adhere to preventive measures

Boats

 

By Taiye Olayemi

 

Lagos, March 28, 2020 (NAN) The Association of Tourists Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) has urged members to adhere to the social distancing rule and observe other preventive measures to avoid contracting COVID-19.

 

The Association’s National President, Mr Ganiyu Balogun, also the Managing Director, Tarzan Boats made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.

 

Balogun said that due to the outbreak of COVID-19, all boat operators on Nigerian waterways were advised to convey only 15 passengers in a boat with capacity for 20 without increasing fares.

 

He advised all members to adhere to the preventive measures stated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Federal Ministry of Health to remain safe.

 

“I am using this opportunity to call on all our members to obey the safety rules stated by WHO and the Federal Ministry of Health, likewise adhere to the social distancing rule.

 

“For a boat of 20 persons capacity, 15 should be conveyed, and they must ensure there are materials at every jetty with which passengers can wash their hands and get sanitised.

 

“We held an emergency meeting on Tuesday in Lagos here, where we took out time to sensitise our members on the safety rules.

 

“Some operators in Lagos have complied with the rule of carrying 15 passengers in a 20 persons capacity boat and their fares remain the same,” he said.

 

Balogun said that the association had indicated interest to stop operations on Lagos waterways due to the outbreak of the viral disease, but the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) said they could continue.

 

“We are waiting for the Lagos state government’s directive on our operations due to COVID-19, we had shut down our operations before, but LASWA called us back to go ahead with our operations.

 

“I advise and plead with every boat operator to adhere to the safety rules, and I pray we overcome this soon,” he said. (NAN)

 

PTB/OIF/SOA
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Oluwole Sogunle

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  • Mar, Sat, 2020
Tourism

Susan Akporaiye takes over as NANTA 44th president

 

 

NANTA

 

By Taiye Olayemi

 

Lagos, March 27, 2020 (NAN) The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) on Friday in Lagos inaugurated Mrs Susan Akporaiye as the 44th President of the association.

 

Akporaiye, in a statement issued after she was sworn in, assured members of NANTA of continuity.

 

She said the association under her watch would address some challenges facing the members, which were brought by the ravaging COVID-19.

 

“This is the birth of a new beginning as the incoming executive council takes over under my leadership as the 44th President of NANTA.

 

“In due course, the incoming executives shall engage and consult with all stakeholders in order to establish and validate our priorities.

 

“I will then be articulating these priorities with strategies on how to move the association forward,” she said.

 

Akporaiye, who takes over from Mr Bankole Bernard, said she was conscious of the challenge to re-access the association’s reach and physical engagement in view of COVID-19 and the impact on global travels.

 

“We are conscious of the pressure to rebound and gain immediate foothold, yet determined to guide our members to follow established federal and states governments protocols on COVID-19.

 

“This includes practicing safety and social distancing as recommended by health officials globally.

 

“This is to assure our stakeholders, friends and principals that NANTA is united and in safe hands under my watch.

 

“The watchword under my watch will be teamwork,” she said.

 

She said as the president, she would ensure that members had the right platform to provide inputs for continuous engagements, whether physical or digital.

 

“I reassure you as president, my priorities will be your priorities.

 

“Let me express my profound gratitude to Mr Bernard, the board of trustees, elders, my fellow partners in leadership, all zonal leadership and members, not excluding our very friends in the travel and tourism and the media.

 

“Having accepted to stand and hold forth as the 44th NANTA president, I ask God Almighty to grant me wisdom and knowledge to lead this great body and make it greater than ever before,” she said. (NAN)

 

PTB/KTO/MNA

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Maureen Atuonwu

 

 

  • Mar, Wed, 2020
Tourism

COVID-19: Runsewe urges industry players to stay safe, watchful

Mr Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC)
COVID-19
By Taiye Olayemi
Lagos, March 25, 2020 (NAN) Chief Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General,  National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), on Wednesday called on culture and tourism players not to lose faith in view of the sudden spread of COVID-19 which had engulfed humanity.
Runsewe said in a statement that though the industry was highly affected, practitioners would survive the scourged if they adhered strictly to the preventive measures stated by health authorities.
“Our industry had survived many socio-economic and medical visitations in the past because we are very close to the people and we will be the first to experience negative impact of any local or global restiveness on all fronts.
“Yes, we have lost money from bookings for our various cultural tourism events, running our hotels on low occupancy and generally witnessed a lockdown never seen before.
“But am confident, once it is over, our industry will respond positively beyond expectation; so I urge all of us to be careful and prayerful,” he said.
Runsewe commended the leadership of all private sector players in culture and tourism industries for the proactive actions taken to educate customers and owners of leisure businesses on COVID-19 protocols.
“Apart from medical professionals, our industry practitioners are also in the frontline of falling victims to this homongous pestilence.
“I commend all levels of leadership in the sector for keeping all concerned well informed about the impact of the disease,” he said
Runsewe noted that the closure of land borders and restrictions of air travels would mitigate the spread of the dreaded viral outbreak.
He praised the federal and state governments response to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
” This is not a period to fear and panic but to watch, pray and follow all sanctioned protocols.
“It shall be with us and very soon if we take to regulations, our culture and tourism engagements will bounce back, better and bigger,”  Runsewe said. (NAN)
PTB/MAM/WOJ
Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Wale Ojetimi
Edited
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  • Mar, Mon, 2020
Tourism

COVID-19: National Tourism Transportation Summit postponed

 

Summit

 

 

By Taiye Olayemi

 

 

Lagos, March 23, 2020 (NAN) The Institute of Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) and the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the National Tourism Transportation Summit (ITTS) on Monday announced the postponement of the 3rd edition of the summit.

 

This is contained in a statement jointly signed by ITPN and MOC, both saddled with the responsibilities of organising the summit slated for April 27, 2020 and April 28, 2020 in Abuja.

 

 

The National President of (ITPN), Mr Abiodun Odusanwo, stated in the statement that there had been a keen observation of the national and international developments in respect of COVID-19 since the outbreak.

 

 

He said the organisers had to postpone the summit due to the huge value placed on human lives and in compliance with government’s rule of social distancing.

 

 

He noted that as soon as the relevant orders were relaxed, a new date would be fixed for the summit.

 

 

“With all sense of responsibility, our heart goes out to the global tourism and transportation industry that are the most affected in these times.

 

 

“This has led to nations being locked down with various travel bans and activated emergency modes.

 

 

“ We commiserate with nations that had lost citizens in their hundreds to coronavirus,” he said. (NAN)

 

PTB/JNEO/PAD

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Edited by Josephine Obute/Peter Dada

  • Mar, Sat, 2020
Tourism

NANTA sold N360bn tickets in 2019, says president

Ticket

 

 

By Taiye Olayemi

 

 

Lagos, March 21, 2020 (NAN) The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) on Saturday said that it sold tickets worth N360billion in 2019.

 

 

The association’s National President, Mr Bankole Bernard, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

 

 

He, however, said that there were more sales in Year 2018 compared to what it sold in 2019.

 

 

According to him, tickets worth N525billion were sold in 2018, a difference of N165billion.

 

 

Bernard said that the decline in sales was because some airlines stopped operating in 2019 and that it would only take a natural course for a boost to reoccur.

 

 

“For 2019, we had ticket sales of N360billion and N525billion for 2018.

 

 

“The decline was because some airlines stopped operations in 2019, in 2018 we had lots of airlines operating and they were generating huge revenue.

 

“To have a serious boost again, it will take a natural course and increased the operations of airlines.

 

 

“Also airlines have some level of competitions among themselves while they keep reducing fares in order to make more sales, so this naturally resulted to lesser yields,” he said.

 

 

The president also attributed the decline in ticket sales to the xenophobic attacks and visa restrictions by the U.S., in 2019.

 

 

He also said that for the current year, N180billion loss had been recorded already due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the resultant effect of social distancing.

 

 

He, however, urged its members to obey the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s rule of social distancing in order to stay safe. (NAN)

 

 

PTB/CCN/PAD

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Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Peter Dada