Martin Eze
Tourism entrepreneurship is gaining traction in Africa. Though a setback, the Covid-19 post-pandemic era has instituted a new phase for tourism entrepreneurs to adapt for success. To better understand and improve viability for tourism businesses, multiple award-winning African tourism brand, Goge Africa, recently trained young tourism entrepreneurs in Lagos.
According to Goge Africa’s CEO, Isaac-Moses, the Goge Africa Tourism Training “is a progressive curriculum which throws light on the concepts of sustainable tourism and its contribution to the socio-economic growth of our communities.”
Also addressing the trainees at the event, Mr Solomon Bonu, S.A. to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture said, “what Goge Africa has been doing in terms of tourism is commendable. That is the reason why I am here. This training is to equip you to have knowledge in the field of tourism. The potentials we have in Lagos State alone is much. With tourism, you can control the world!” he added.
Divisional Head, Retail Directorate, Sterling Bank, Mr Shina Atilola who expressed the willingness of Sterling Bank to support tourism businesses through funding, charged the trainees saying; “find our own niche, create our strength as a country, create our strength as a state. That makes us unique. That makes us great. We should be proud of it, embrace it and project it to the world. One major unique area that I think you have a leverage, that a lot of people don’t have, is you leveraging on the power of social media.”
Emphasizing the place of a quality standard to the trainees, the Vice President, FTAN South-West, Otunba Ayo Olumokun commented “anything you want to do, you can totally look at how to promote it, how to sell it, how to market it, and then how to make it a very good quality brand that can stand the test of time.”
Presenting the certificates to the trainees, the Project Manager, Lekki Conservation Centre, Mr Adedamola Ogunsesan, encouraged the trainees to make good use of the knowledge garnered at the training. He emphasized that in times past, organizations sponsored capacity training for staff. Unfortunately, in recent times, due to paucity of funds and more competition, trainings such as this organized by Goge Africa, are hard to come by.
The training which lasted from 1st to 4th of June, 2021 took the trainees on an expository path in Creative Tour Packaging by Afegbai Omolere, Essentials of Tour Guiding by Anago Osho, Vlogging and Destination Marketing by Fisayo Olayinka-Bello, Marketing and Sales of Tourism Products by Dr. Kester Osahenye, Social Media and Tour Marketing by the award-winning journalist, Pelu Awofeso, Scaling Tourism Business in the Nigerian Environment by Amb. Nneka Isaac-Moses, Introduction to Taxation for Entrepreneurs by Saheed Onibudo and Accessing Funds for Tourism Businesses by Sterling Bank.
The last day, which featured a field experience by the trainees at the eco-tourism destination of Lekki Conservation Centre, guided by Salisu Ayokunumi, also a beneficiary of the training, saw the trainees trek through the boardwalk and across the six towers connected by the suspended walkways that make up the longest canopy walkway in Africa.
In a show of emotions, locked in excitement, the participants were grateful to Goge Africa for the opportunity to participate in the training, network and strengthen cooperation with veterans in the tourism industry as the sector rebuilds.
We ask all interested parties to click on the link below to register for subsequent opportunities.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfS-sK09CmijWKMkEnjXNgGlxnm-XIycqvAw0K6f82gqpW0fw/viewform?usp=pp_url
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