Oredola Adeola |
Young entrepreneurs targeting business opportunities in the tourism, travels and allied services, have been exposed to available business opportunities within tourism industry. The opportunities were unveiled to participants who attended the Youth Tourism Conference 2019 edition of the 15th Akwaaba West African Travel Market, #Akwaaba2019, held on Tuesday at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, Nigeria.
The special panel session, on the theme : " Is Tourism a sustainable business for the Youth?" anchored by Mrs. Wonuola Olatunde-Lamidi, cofounder, Diamonds and Pearls Travels Limited, paraded young and dynamic Chief Executive Officers(CEOs) who have carved niche for themselves in the travels, hospitality and tourism sector.
The panelists agreed that most countries have not truly discovered tourism as main foreign currency generator and a mass job creator for the youth in Africa and other developing economies.
Emphasis was placed on driving the tourism business with passion, creativity and exceptional service delivery which according to them are some of the factors needed for sustainability and business breakthrough.
The panelists are young CEOs in the tourism business. They include, Chiamaka Obuekwe (Social Prefect), Odion Chigbufue (Tour Brokers Int’l), Oludayo Taiwo (Aeroport), Tina Nwanya (NjeTours), Segbenu Olusola (TravelAfcon), Tosin Lawson (African Things), Derin Shotunde (Deerin Meat Food Products) Lola Adefope Managing Director of Business Travel Management Limited (BTM) and Ezekwe Christopher (DIP Tours).
Tina Nwanya ,Senior Travel Consultant at Njetours, disclosed that tourism is a sustainable business but anyone who wants to stay afloat must understand the role of creative marketing which according to her, is an integral part of the business.
Mr. Oludayo Taiwo, Director, Aeroport College of Aviation & Travel Management, a member of the panel spoke about the roles of training in managing a successful tourism business. According to him every stakeholder in the tourism industry needs qualitative training to keep the business afloat.
Chiamaka Obuekwe, CEO of Social Prefect, revealed that integrity with cash and financial discipline are some of the factors that sustain clients patronage in the tourism business. She also spoke about the importance of industry network and partnership.
Ms Segbenu Olusola, talked about the influence of social media marketing in business of tourism. According to her, she constantly engage and market her business to clients via the social media. She however emphasis on the role of passion in business sustainability.
Talking about her successful meat business, Derinsola Taiyeloolu, Chief Executive Officer, Deerin Meat and Food Products; DMAFP, said she made her first million within a year. She further talked about how she became a butcher and the challenges she faced in sustaining her business.
Summarising the views expressed by the panelists , the Anchor of the conference, Mrs Wonuola, revealed that Akwaaba in its 15th year of uninterrupted editions has emerged as the biggest tourism and travels market in West Africa.
According to her the panelists during the Youth Conference identified passion and discipline as important factors needed to grow a successful tourism business. She also urged prospective tourism entrepreneurs to evolve ideas that would give them edge in the tourism sector, adding that creativity and consistency are some of the things that attract customers to brands.
The co-founder of Diamond & Pearls Travels Limited however charged Nigerian government to invest in power, infrastructure, road network and security in order to attract inbound tourists and investor. She revealed that most Nigerian tour operators have focused more on outbound tour at the expense of domestic and inbound tours.
The special panel session, on the theme : " Is Tourism a sustainable business for the Youth?" anchored by Mrs. Wonuola Olatunde-Lamidi, cofounder, Diamonds and Pearls Travels Limited, paraded young and dynamic Chief Executive Officers(CEOs) who have carved niche for themselves in the travels, hospitality and tourism sector.
The panelists agreed that most countries have not truly discovered tourism as main foreign currency generator and a mass job creator for the youth in Africa and other developing economies.
Emphasis was placed on driving the tourism business with passion, creativity and exceptional service delivery which according to them are some of the factors needed for sustainability and business breakthrough.
The panelists are young CEOs in the tourism business. They include, Chiamaka Obuekwe (Social Prefect), Odion Chigbufue (Tour Brokers Int’l), Oludayo Taiwo (Aeroport), Tina Nwanya (NjeTours), Segbenu Olusola (TravelAfcon), Tosin Lawson (African Things), Derin Shotunde (Deerin Meat Food Products) Lola Adefope Managing Director of Business Travel Management Limited (BTM) and Ezekwe Christopher (DIP Tours).
Tina Nwanya ,Senior Travel Consultant at Njetours, disclosed that tourism is a sustainable business but anyone who wants to stay afloat must understand the role of creative marketing which according to her, is an integral part of the business.
Mr. Oludayo Taiwo, Director, Aeroport College of Aviation & Travel Management, a member of the panel spoke about the roles of training in managing a successful tourism business. According to him every stakeholder in the tourism industry needs qualitative training to keep the business afloat.
Chiamaka Obuekwe, CEO of Social Prefect, revealed that integrity with cash and financial discipline are some of the factors that sustain clients patronage in the tourism business. She also spoke about the importance of industry network and partnership.
Ms Segbenu Olusola, talked about the influence of social media marketing in business of tourism. According to her, she constantly engage and market her business to clients via the social media. She however emphasis on the role of passion in business sustainability.
Talking about her successful meat business, Derinsola Taiyeloolu, Chief Executive Officer, Deerin Meat and Food Products; DMAFP, said she made her first million within a year. She further talked about how she became a butcher and the challenges she faced in sustaining her business.
Summarising the views expressed by the panelists , the Anchor of the conference, Mrs Wonuola, revealed that Akwaaba in its 15th year of uninterrupted editions has emerged as the biggest tourism and travels market in West Africa.
According to her the panelists during the Youth Conference identified passion and discipline as important factors needed to grow a successful tourism business. She also urged prospective tourism entrepreneurs to evolve ideas that would give them edge in the tourism sector, adding that creativity and consistency are some of the things that attract customers to brands.
The co-founder of Diamond & Pearls Travels Limited however charged Nigerian government to invest in power, infrastructure, road network and security in order to attract inbound tourists and investor. She revealed that most Nigerian tour operators have focused more on outbound tour at the expense of domestic and inbound tours.
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