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NTDC facilitates N43 billion
investment for Nigeria
By
Wale Ojo-Lanre
just back from Dubai - updated: Wednesday 13-05-2009
Otunba Olusegun Runsewe with
Ebrahim Ali Abdulai Alfahad in Dubai.WHILE some
government
officials, heads of parastatals agencies, trade delegations etc, junket all over the world attending international summits, conferences, trade fairs spending tax payers’ money frivolously, nothing tangible to show for it, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), under Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has set itself apart from the crowd.
Since he took over as the NTDC boss, Otunba Runsewe has charted a positive direction for the NTDC, with a focus in international engagements by making sure that each trip is tailored towards the nation’s image building, cultivation of goodwill and multi-billion dollar relationship, creating positive awareness among investors and correcting erroneous impressions about Nigeria.
At NTDC, gone were the days when the corporation had to embark on foreign trips or attend a trade or tourism fair just for the fun of it or for the love of estacode.
Each trip that had been undertaken so far had a theme which its delegation must work assiduously to achieve.
And God has been using the NTDC, not as a parastatal to market Nigeria tourism sites and promote Nigeria as a prime destination only, but as well as facilitator of solid projects for the benefit of the country.
At the World Travel Market, which took place at Excel Docklands London, in 2008, the Director-General, NTDC ,addressed a world press conference, where he launched ‘Nigeria’s safe for tourists.’
The over 2,000 journalists present were impressed not only by the presentation by Otunba Runsewe but also in the way he marshalled his points abou tthe safety of Nigeria and a conducive environment for investors.
Also at the IT Berlin, Germany, which was held in February, the NTDC effectively showcased to tourism buyers and sellers that Nigeria is a democratic country where nobody is being persecuted and thus, no reason for any of its nationals seeking political asylum.
This culture of pro-activeness was exhibited at the just concluded Arabia Travel Market (ATM), held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates between May 4 and 8, 2009.
Nigeria’s participation was very remarkable. It was opportunity to address the organisers of the event and Arab’s business leaders, assuring them that Nigeria was a safe country for doing business.
Otunba Runsewe’s short and lucid address made so much wave that he made the headline of the ATM newspaper.
And , indeed, Nigeria’s participation at Arabian Travel Market this year was great, not in terms of the size of its stand, nor the design but the impression NTDC gave of the the nation.
Though the stand cannot be compared to that of WTM London, but it was planted in the most conspicuous area and decorated in a way that made it a must visit.
The NTDC delegate worked tirelessly at hitting the theme for the ATM Dubai, which was “Tapping Arabian-Nigerian Tourism potential for mutual development.”
The NTDC team displayed a rare sense of responsibility and team work by ensuring prompt attention to enquiries about Nigeria.
In fact, the ATM Dubai afforded Nigerian delegates to identify the United Arab Emirate as a commercial ally.
The Arabian visitors at the stand did not only express their love for Nigeria but their readiness to partner its citizens in developmental activities.
The NTDC boss, Otunba Runsewe, who played host to many businessmen and investors, had a fruitful discussion with Ebrahim Ali Abdulail Alfahad, Chairman, Crown Dilmun Development.
The discussion which lasted for almost an hour came to an end with a promise to invest a sum of $300 million in Nigeria.
Alfahad disclosed that he was among the businessmen which Otunba Runsewe addressed the previous year and the presence of Nigeria at the ATM “was a clear indication that Nigeria is serious about tourism development and investment drive.”
He pointed out that he had been monitoring the activities of NTDC and reading on the internet the various efforts being made by the Nigerian government at luring investors to the country.
“But you need a credible organ or agency like NTDC to enter Nigeria. Your agency has greatly helped to promote Nigeria’s image among the comity of tourism nations. And because of this, some of us are ready to do business in Nigeria, making you the link and connector to Nigeria’s government.”
Alfhad remarked that “we are ready to invest the sum of $300 million dollars in the hospitality and housing sector. We are ready to commence business within the next three months.”
Otunba Runsewe assured Alfhad of the Federal Government’s support.
“As I told you, the President of Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua is committed to the development of Nigeria and is doing everything humanly possible at making sure that Nigeria is conducive for investment.”
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Nigerian Authors bag Mena Awards for best tourism project
By Wale ojo Lanre
GLOSSARY of Tourism, Travels & Leisure
Terms & Acronyms, a textbook written by
Nigerians for the global market was recently nominated a finalist in the Best Tourism Category of the Middle East & North African (MENA) Award 2009.
This prestigious event is annually formed to celebrate the skills, creativity, ingenuity and triumph within the travel and Hospitality industry, while honouring the thriving entrants in each of the ceremonial 18 categories and those who are considered to be the best in their respective sector. The award Encourages even higher standards and applaud the exceptional effort made by so many of the Industry members.
The MENA Travel Awards is often witnessed by over 700 of the industry’s leading companies to celebrate the winners of this prestigious event. There were a total of 81 awards to be given out in 18 different categories that included 5 and 4 star hotels, airlines, spas (separately located or within hotels), golf clubs, car rental, duty free, conference & convention locations, Fine Dinning Restaurants and tourism projects.
Previous winners of the Award include the Grosvenor House, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort and Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel who were clearly the best in class when they scooped most of the much sought after accolades at the dazzling 2007 & 2008 MENA travel awards ceremony.
The foreword to the textbook, was written by Dr. Phil Cameron, the Executive Vice-President of IFTTA (The International Forum of Travel and Tourism Advocates) is a tool to assist in the harmonizing of international legal standards and is an excellent complement to the TOURISTERM Project of the United Nations World Tourism Organization International Forum of Travel and Tourism Advocates (UNWTO-IFTTA).
The Glossary of Tourism, Travels & Leisure Terms & Acronyms has been described as a collection that unifies interpretations, descriptions, and translations of travel, tourism and hospitality words used throughout the world. This book develops a common understanding of terms and definitions essential for a cooperative approach to tourism and leisure management. The book, which contains about 2,000 terms and acronyms, is a product of over 35 years of research into the Tourism and Leisure Industry, available print and electronic contents, and recording the most needed, and sometimes misinterpreted, travel industry definitions.
The coverage of the book transcends tourism, travel and leisure industry. It includes such terms as used in the field cum study of hospitality, immigration, international law, transportation, among others. Relevant international agencies and their roles in the tourism and leisure business were outlined for better understanding of the industry’s structure.
The book is the brain child of Dr. Wasiu A. Babalola of Eko Tourist Beach Resort, Akodo Lagos Sate; Oriade Adedamola, a senior lecturer in Tourism and Postgraduate Programmes / Course Leader at the University of Wolverhampton, UK; & Esther Ogunjobi, a lecturer in the Leisure & Tourism Department of Lagos State Polytechnic (Laspotech).
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