Director General of National Institute For Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOUR, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa has said that Gastronomy Festival which entails food processing, cooking and serving provides one of the best opportunities for hospitality and tourism stakeholders, students, and food enthusiasts to learn, exchange knowledge and perspectives on the sustainability of developing tourism destinations.
The Spanish chefs
Alhaji Kangiwa who made the remark at a one day Gastronomy festival organised by NIHORTOUR at the International Conference Center Abuja added that Nigeria is the most competitive gastronomy tourist destination in Africa in terms of diversification of ethnic groups and unique foods culture.
He said that Gastronomy which is entails processing, preparing and serving rich, delicate and appetizing food and the cooking styles of particular regions was conceptualised to up skill Nigerian gastronomies on vital areas of the preparation and presentation of foods, especially Nigerian traditional cuisines, with the objective of improving the expertise and promotion of international best practices in the industry.
Alhaji Kangiwa added that the country had taken the lead in gastronomic tourist destination in Africa, saying that the institute would continue to complement the government’s efforts to sustain the tempo pointing out that Nigerian cuisines are reflective of the nation’s gastronomic beauty and diversity.
In a message, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture (FMIC) Dr Ngozi Owundiwe, said that gastronomy was the source of the nation’s identity due to its contribution to tourism development.
Dr Owundiwe, who was represented by the Director, Domestic Tourism in the ministry, Mrs. Patricia Narai, said “Nigerian cuisines identify her as a nation, as well as telling the good story of Nigerian people.
In a remark the Director-General, Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Dr Chidia Maduekwe, said Nigeria was rated as one of Africa’s best destination hubs for hospitality and tourism and there were many hospitality and tourism sites and locations across the country that are yet to be harnessed.
Dr Maduekwe added that operational existing sites and locations had continued to provide leisure and development and these have helped to promote green grass revolution and environmental protection and safety.
The Senegal Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Nicolas Nyouky, commended NIHOTOUR for partnering with Senegal embassy on sharing of good cuisines and noted that Nigeria is in the spotlight in the field of gastronomy due to its cooking techniques,” he said.
Mr Li Xuda, Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of People’s Republic of China, commended NIHOTOUR for strengthening the partnership between Nigeria and China on showcasing of their cultural heritage.
The event which attracted chefs who provided dishes from the six geopolitical zones of the country also attracted foreigners including Chinese embassy in Nigeria, Senegal, Trinidad and Tobago, Code Voire and the popular Chef Alex Marugan from Madrid Spain who prepared and displayed the best of Spanish cuisines.
High point of the event which got the visitors eating food from different countries and nationalities was a gala and award night where Red Fish Chronicles won the cooking competition and was rewarded with a giant freezer and trip Tunisia.
Gastronomy is currently one of the main tourism segment that attract travellers to a destination as some tourists look forward to savouring dishes from tourism destinations visited and gastronomy has become a strategic aspect of Tourism that contributes to employment of host communities.
This year’s event with the theme, Culinary Arts: The Gateway to Growing Tourism Destination, is the third consecutive food and beverage exhibition and sampling event organized yearly by NIHOTOUR, since 2021.
Tourists from across the world jostled to taste various dishes from different countries, weekend, in Abuja as Nigeria hosts the 3rd edition of its gastronomy festival.
The Spanish chefs
The festival was organised by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) with the theme: “Culinary Arts: The Gateway to Growing Tourism Destinations.’’
The tourists engaged in cultural diplomacy and integration as they learnt the basics of food processing, preparation, packaging and presentation from one another.
Cuisines on display were from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones as well as from China, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Côte d’Ivoire, Brazil and more.
China exhibited cuisines like fried Tofu, fried lamb chops with cumin, golden pancake with sesame and water chestnut jelly.
Cote d’Ivoire showcased Poisson grille, Poulet braise, Kedjenou de poulet, Attieke and Galette jeune.
Senegal had on display Thiebou dieune, Yassa poulet, Ginger, Zobo and Semia drinks, while Spain exhibited Paella and tortilla.
Nigeria showcased cuisines and drinks like Amala, Pounded yam, Fufu, Tuwo, Ewedu, Ofada rice, Jollof rice, Ofe Owerri, Ofe Nsala, Aadun, Kokoro, Kunu, Zobo, and Tiger nut drinks and many more.
Earlier, Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, said the festival remained encouraging as tourists’ attendance had been increasing, adding that the level of attendance in 2023 doubled that of 2022.
He said gastronomy was a cultural expression of nations through their food choices, sources of ingredients and types of cuisines which typically thrived in culturally-rich destinations like Nigeria.
He declared that Nigeria was the most competitive gastronomy tourist destination in Africa because of the diversity of its ethnic groups and corresponding unique foods culture.
Kangiwa urged Nigerians to consciously work toward ensuring they learnt unique skills from other countries as the festival progressed.
“The abundance of Nigerian cuisines exhibited here is reflective of Nigeria’s gastronomic beauty and diversity.
“The cuisines poignantly reveal the `farm-to-table’ processes which signposts the economic multiplier effects and social value of a thriving tourism industry.
“I have no doubt in my mind that Nigeria has all it takes to be the leading gastronomic tourist destination in Africa and NIHOTOUR will continue to champion the cause,’’ Kangiwa said.
In his remarks, Mr Li Xuda, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria lauded the UN General Assembly’s move to designate June 18 annually as Sustainable Gastronomy Day.
Li said this was a wonderful decision which acknowledged gastronomy as a cultural expression related to the natural and cultural diversity of the world.
“As we know, both China and Nigeria are big countries with rich natural resources and diverse cultures.
“These two countries have vast territories and abundant resources; each region in their territories has different climate, natural products and folk customs.
“With these advantages, our food cultures have formed since ancient times and have already been deeply rooted in our traditional cultures.
“This is especially in the rapid social development in recent decades that has laid a solid foundation for China and Nigeria’s food cultures.
“On this solid foundation, our food cultures will be better developed; our peoples’ living standards will be further improved; our two countries’ sustainable development will be greatly promoted,’’ Li said.
Also speaking at the festival, an excited Eva Barta Martin, Cultural Adviser, Embassy of Spain in Nigeria said: “In Spain, gastronomy is a kind of religion and we are happy to share it with you today.’’
Similarly, a Senegalese at the festival congratulated Ms Hilda Bassey, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as a record holder in the cooking marathon.
Bassey cooked for 93 hours and 11 minutes putting Nigeria and Africa in the spotlight in the world of gastronomy.
“I am happy that Senegal has been chosen to host the winner of the competition at this festival to stay in local accommodation.
“As a nation, we hope to grow and become famous in the Abuja Gastronomy Festival,’’ he said.
The festival featured cultural performances by the National Troupe of the National Council for Arts and Culture.
National Council for Arts and Culture NCAC is set to Launch its headquarters soon in the Nigerian state capital Abuja.The 30 feet high edifice which will be embodied with Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and its arts is located at a very busy area of the capital Abuja.
The headquarters, according to the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mr. Olusegun Runsewe ”is a place every staff can be proud of.”
NCAC;s Culture House
Electronic reading
The NCAC headquarters will also be first office to have an e-library through electronic reading facility.Mr. Runsewe who spoke to Journalists on the new acquired building said the e-library have full Internet facility to create research and also can connected to over 150 countries.
The DG also said the HQ has its own lifts with a capacity to take 10 people at once, a supermarket with subsidised price for the staff with a well equipped clinic for any emergencies.
“We have a supermarket for staff. if a staff is going home, and don’t have what to cook at home, they can come to the supermarket and pick what they want at a subsidised rate. So you only pay some little money at the end of the month. No profit, but to help the staff. It’s a welfare arrangement,” he says
Otunba Runsewe
Speaking further, Runsewe said; “We have a big hall for events, a performing arts department hall. And now we can host school children.”
The new acquired building by the NCAC also has an exhibition hall and offices for all staff in one station.
“We also have a diplomatic area where every embassy will come and put their flags up.
“All our building here is culture-friendly environment. For the final one, we have a 25 meters high, the height of this building Cultural and iconic message.”
“Nobody in the whole of Africa has it. I’ve done my research. Kenya did something. It was a two-story building. I also went to Ethiopia. The altitude is about four.
“This is 30 feet high. 30 meters. Which I want to show to you. And we are having six of it on this building,” he said, adding: “We were going to put one of the biggest national flags on top of the building.”
The first-ever Travel Content Creators Conference recently hosted by Nigeria, with the Taste of Africa Vibes, as organisers, was a giant stride in the creative industry as the conference spotlighted the power of content and storytelling through the lens of five personalities from Nigeria and around the world.
For content creation and creators, the new media space had made information dissemination not only cheap and fast, but given all and sundry a voice and dramatically made the platform a space that allows the good, the bad and the ugly to strive independently with minimal restriction, all in the name of content creation.
However, the maiden edition of Travel Content Creators Conference brought a broad spectrum of understanding to content creators, especially the travel story- tellers, who create images that shape how people see things, which has made them people and destination perception changers.
The event, which will be a yearly platform for content creators across Africa, also unveiled its new baby, the Africa Travel Content Creator Awards. In his welcome address, the Convener and Founder of Taste of Africa Vibes, Mr Jibola Oluseye Abati described the event as a gathering of opportunities with the aim of connecting, collaborating, learning and celebrating Africa’s rich potentialities.
According to him, “Nearly three years ago in August 2020, I founded my group, Taste of Africa Vibes, because I wanted to change the negative narrative about Africa, to challenge stereotypes, and to showcase Africa’s natural beauty.
“We were only 20 members back then and I never thought that small beginning would grow into a vibrant community of over 50,000 members.
“Our group’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Last year, we were honoured to receive a prestigious award from Facebook, in recognition of the positive impact we’re making to change perception and to promote Africa online as a premier tourist destination.
‘‘Today, as we convene for our first conference, we embark on a new chapter and this event is a pivotal moment in our journey. We have assembled an incredible lineup of speakers and sessions that span a diverse range of topics.
Speaking at the conference, Pelu Awofeso, a renowned travel writer and awards- winning journalist, who shared his travel experiences at the conference spoke extensively on his journey within Nigeria and around Africa, and the many adorning beauty of African destinations.
Awofeso travel experience speak volume on the importance of travelling, according to him, ‘‘many things I thought was bad or I did not like was not because there was any reason but a mere perception.
But when I visited and tried other people’s food and also immersed myself in their culture, I now have a different perception. “Travelling is educative, entertaining, unite and makes you to appreciate other people and destination better and that will also help you to tell the story better.”
He implored content creators to passionately use the social media platform to their advantage, adding that there is a whole lot windows of opportunities as well as it has a very far reach that the traditional media.
The organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market and Publisher of Africa Travel Quarterly Magazine, Ambassador Ikechi Uko, also shared his experience as he took the audiences on an educative tour of an outstanding storytelling as a tool in marketing African destinations.
Mr Michael Runkel, who is regarded as the world’s second most travelled person and award-winning travel photographer, captivated the participants with fascinating pictures; showcasing natural landscape, waterfall, people among other exclusive shot of the beauty of Africa and how he has travelled all the countries in Africa.
According to him, “Africa his beautiful, rich with historical places, the people are accommodate, so we need to travel, explore and showcase the beauty to the world.”
In her live presentation streamed from Belgium, Valerie Masumbuko, a Human rights activist, who sees colonialism as one of the problems, said the absence of a central language in Africa is a big challenge to travellers.
She advocated a second language as a means of communication and appeal to the founder of Taste of Africa Vibes to promote and encourage the use of another language like French so as to allow more countries to join the promotion bid of Africa to foster unity.
While Mrs Clara Chinwe Okoro, Chairperson of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), who spoke on Tourism and Tech: The Impact of Technology on The Growth of Tourism in Africa, said there is need for content creators to be tech savvy because it is the trend.
She stressed the need to the new media as a strategic way to network, connect and partner with others to boost tourism promotion.
The weekend of June 17, 2023, was huge and successful for the Nigerian tourism and hospitality industry for many reasons.From Thursdays, visitors from across the country and Africa started gathering in Abuja, the country’s capital city, and by Friday, the city witnessed a beehive of tourism and hospitality-related activities.
The visitors were exhibitors, attendees, media, tourism private sector, government top functionaries and other stakeholders, who came to partake in this year’s edition of the annual National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Gastronomy Festival.
The event is a concerted effort by the government to grow the tourism sector using hospitality and culinary platforms.As expected, this year’s edition added more colour to previous editions.
The colourful exhibition platforms erected by top chefs from the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, were huge draws for the visitors, while the foreign participants also lived up to the healthy rivalry at the festival with their respective country’s food offerings.
The Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, yesterday commended the Curator of Ijebu National Museum, Wanda Ibru, for doing a brilliant job together with her committee members in sustaining the rich cultural heritage of the Ijebus in a well secured in-house museum.
Runsewe, who presented a plaque to Ibru, during a tour of the Ijebu National Museum, said a country without history would find it difficult to make progress.He called on other states across the country to take a cue from the Ijebu National Museum, saying each state should be able to tell their own story to tourists and cultural critics.“What we are trying to do now with this in-house museum, is to encourage other states to take a cue from it so that they can have their own museums and when people come to their states, they have stories to tell tourists and cultural critics. For me, this is absolutely commendable and that is why I gave a plaque today (yesterday) to the Ijebu National Museum for doing a great job. For reminding us, if you don’t know where you are coming from it will be difficult to make progress. The younger ones today can see what happened in 53 with Tv, the sculpture of the Oba which they change from time to time to look very unique. For me, I must commend the Curator and the committee members for doing a brilliant job and sustaining this museum. What we need to do now is to link up this museum with other international museums. I’m sure in another few years, they will be thinking of expanding the museum
“But I have one recommendation, every year they have Ojude Oba, it will be nice to pick something from that celebration and put it in the museum. It’s maybe drum this year, it could be dress of one of the dancers, it could be anything so that it can be brand identity of the Ijebus. “Commenting on this year’s Ojude Oba, Runsewe said, “Today, we are talking of experience, celebrating life with culture and royalty of a people that believe in their cultural brand. Now both the Ijebus home and abroad have come out in their numbers. Yesterday (Thursday) I went to the immigration desk, and they informed me that over 2,500 disaporans arrived for this year’s Ojude Oba. That is to tell us that this is a cultural content we must take seriously.
“Today, Ogun State is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. You hardly hear of any kidnapping or violent crimes. So, if we have this kind of festival we need to promote and make sure it’s well preserved and promoted globally. We need to make sure that it cements a new future for our great country.“Yesterday (Thursday) we all heard Mr. President telling us his relationship with the Awujale who, of course, is the oldest serving monarch in the history of mankind. Both leaders have come a long way. Today, nobody is talking about religion or any other thing. We are talking about celebrating the people
The Curator, Ibru, who took the NCAC boss around the museum, said it’s open for seven days in a week.
Director-General National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Olusegun Runsewe, has said that Nigeria will make another history in the anal of cultural aesthetics in Africa as a dedicated six-storey “Nigeria Culture House” would soon be inaugurated in Abuja to put country’s diverse cultural heritage on the world map.
Runsewe disclosed this during a familiarisation tour of the building with some travel journalists in Abuja.
“It is long overdue for the nation to have such a tourist attraction where local and international tourists can access Nigeria’s peculiar cultural products,” he said.
NCAC’s Culture House
He said the building beautified with a 30-metre high cultural artworks would accommodate offices for all countries with embassies in Nigeria as well as an e-library connected to over 170 countries.According to Runsewe, the building has some unique things, showcasing the rich potentialities that abound at the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria and telling a great story of the beauty and colour our cultural identity and diversity.
“This will give local and international tourists the avenue to connect to the globe and also help individuals and group who need research material on Nigerian culture the opportunity to do so.
“The culture house which is undergoing some finishing touches will be inaugurated soon and ready to receive visitors.“Here in the building, we have befitting offices for all staff of NCAC with work stations, a clinic that will cater for free medical assessment for all staff and visitors, also we have rehearsal rooms for the performing and theatre arts department.
“We have a big hall for events, a performing arts department hall. And now we can host school children.”“The new acquired building by the NCAC also has an exhibition hall and offices for all staff in one station.“Nobody in the whole of Africa has it. I’ve done my research. Kenya did something. It was a two-story building. I also went to Ethiopia. The altitude is about four.”
Barely days after an Ekiti-based chef, Ms Damilola Adeparusi, failed in her attempt to shatter the longest cooking by an individual record currently held by Akwa Ibom-born Ms Hilda Bassey, an Ondo lady, Ms Adeola Adeyeye has commenced a 150-hour challenge.
The Guinness World Record is also monitoring the latest attempt by Adeola.Ms Adeyeye who has already clocked over 3 hours in the kitchen, as at Friday afternoon, is attempting to surpass the Guinness World Record certified longest cooking marathon of 93 hours and 11 minutes set by compatriot, Hilda Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, early Monday, May 15 after four days in a Lagos kitchen attempting a 100-hour cooking record.
Penultimate week, in June Guinness World Record (GWR) officially certified Baci’s record at 93 hours and 11 minutes.
However, while Hilda waited for the certification, another Nigerian chef, and Ekiti-based Ms Damilola Adeparusi, commenced a 120-hour solo marathon cooking challenge.Already, Ms Adeparusi from Oye Local Government Area in Ekiti, reportedly beat the 120 hours she set for herself, reports emerged that the Ekiti chef did not notify the GWR of her attempt, even as she it further became a controversy over the purported record of 120 hours set in three days, which did not add up by 24 hours calculation.
Meanwhile, this weekend, an Ondo chef, Adeola has begun a 150-hour cook-a-thon in an attempt to break Hilda Baci’s Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon of 93 hours and 11 minutes.Adeyeye who commenced the cook-a-thon on Friday, June 30, 2023, in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, July 6, 2023.
Last June after nearly a month of reviewing, the GWR, finally announced the certification of Hilda Baci’s time originally thought to be 100 hours but now for 93 hours 11 minutes, after nearly one month since the record was set in Lagos during a four-day non-stop cooking marathon in May, this year.“Following a thorough review of all the evidence, Guinness World Records can now confirm that Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, has officially broken the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes.“After reviewing all the footage, we’re delighted to announce that Hilda Baci is the new record holder for the longest cooking marathon (individual).
“Watch the video to find out the official time we’ve awarded Hilda and read the full explanation below,” GWR confirmed in a tweet, Tuesday morning.Ms Bassey began the cooking challenge on Thursday, May 11 through to early Monday, May 15.As it is, the current record for the world’s longest cooking marathon is now Ms Bassey after officially displacing India’s Tondon, who completed the task in 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 seconds, in 2019.
The Nigerian chef had previously set 96-hour target for herself after breaking Indian chef, Lata Tondon’s 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 seconds record set in 2019.Hilda Baci was initially scheduled to stop at 4 pm Nigerian time culminating into her former 96-hour target but stopped at 8 pm to achieve a 100-hour target.Elsewhere around the world, a chef from Liberia and another from Kenya have also announced their intentions to set a marathon cooking record following the feat by Ms Bassey.Kenyan chef, Maliha Mohammed has said she will attempt to break the record set by Nigeria’s Bassey on August 11, this year, when she kicks off her challenge. She sent an application for her record attempt in December, last year.In August 2019, she broke the previous Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual for cooking for 75 hours non –stop.Chef Mohammed will now attempt to break the record later this year.Also, Liberian chef, Wonyean Aloysius Gaye has announced plans to break Hilda Baci’s GWR of 100 hours which he said will commence in November, this year.Hilda who was born on September 20, 1996, holds a First degree in Sociology from the Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State.She’s also appeared in multiple Nigerian TV shows and movies. She played a supporting lead character in the movie “Dream Chaser,” and appeared in some episodes of Sideways, Flatmates, A Walk on the Water, and Mr & Mrs Robert.
Experts in the travel and tourism industry have charged members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) on meeting and responding effectively to emerging challenges Nigeria tourism sector of the economy by advancing and proffering solutions which will engender growth for both operators and regulators.
NCAC DG,Otunba Segun Runsewe speaking at the NIHOTOUR Masterclass for ANJET
This admonition was the canvassed by speakers at the recently held one-day Tourism Journalism Masterclass for ANJET, organised by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja.
The masterclass session with the theme, Best Practices for Journalistic Reporting of Tourism Destinations, featured three experts in the industry; Olorogun (Dr) Peter Igho, former Director at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); Mr David Dogo and Otunba Segun Runsewe, Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).
Declaring the one-day training open, Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Ahaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, disclosed his agency’s continued support for capacity building as an imperative for stakeholders in the industry, including the media practitioners, which he said is anchored on the need to adhere to industry best practices.
“We are trying to grow our own industry operations by exposing them to best practices around the world,” Kangiwa said, while also assuring that the next edition of the event will strive to better this year’s rendition.Peter Igho: Be partners in socio-economic, political development.
Setting the tone for the masterclass, Igho, who is credited with creating iconic television series like, the 1990s ‘Cock Crow At Dawn,’ drew instances from his experiences with leveraging on contents created at the broadcasting station to manage and showcase Nigeria as a tourist destination many years back.In his paper titled, Tourism Crises Communication – The Role of Media Practitioners, Igho noted that the present-day journalists in the tourism industry are also presented with similar challenges he faced many years down many years ago as a television producer and video content creator.
Dr Peter Igho
Igho stated that being the fourth estate of the realm, ‘the media is duty bound as a partner in Nigeria’s socio-political development,’ as according to him, ‘‘there is a need to be in the frontline and be patriotic when the country encounters challenges and in Nigeria this means all the time.’’
Citing instances of the former Military Head of State, Late General Sani Abacha’s regime, the NTA icon recalled how he created programmes like ‘Not in our character,’ to counter negative information designed to destroy Nigeria as a tourist destination.“The media must keep the spotlight on the whole tourism value chain. It is pertinent to note that risk by its very nature, exists on a continuum and is either smoothed by risk mitigation initiatives (which the media is an integral stakeholder) or amplified and shaped by the socio-political, environmental, and economic backdrop,” Igho said.
The veteran television producer said the role of the media in promoting tourism in times of crisis entails promoting, ‘‘risk mitigation initiatives and amplify the tourism potential of Nigeria, with a view to attracting foreign and domestic tourists to patronise the Nigerian tourism industry.’’
Igho, who is presently the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, P.I. Consult, however, commended NIHOTOUR for organising the training. He noted that the NIHOTOUR training programme for travel journalists is designed to enhance human capital development in the media industry, as its ‘‘seeks to promote Nigeria as the best cultural tourist destination, not only in Africa but indeed in the world,’’ he added.
In his paper titled, Journalism Code of Ethics and the Impact on Sustainable Tourism Destination, Dr David Manya Dogo, drew a fine line between ethics and values, as they relate to tourism reporting and media content management.It is difficult to separate ethics from values because they are two sides of the same coin, as both, he noted, “may differ in terms of their motif force, but their ultimate goal is to ensure a desirable human behaviour.
Panellists at the recently concluded held one-day Tourism Journalism Masterclass for ANJET, organised by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) at the International Conference Centre (ICC), June 16 in Abuja
“Ethics are moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or conduct of an activity.In a broader sense, ethics reflect on human beings and their interaction with nature and with other humans. In other words, a behaviour is said to be ethical when it is morally correct from the standpoint of those whose actions are guided by a set of moral principles.“Values on the other hand are individual beliefs that motivate people to act one way or the other, and serve to guide human behaviour.
“In other words, they are moral standards of behaviour. Values are things that are considered ‘important’ by an individual or an organisation.They are therefore an embodiment of what an organisation or people stand for, and provides the basis for the behaviour of its members.”
Dogo while noting that a tourism writer’s role in the growth and sustenance of the industry in Nigeria is very critical and should not be underestimated, pointed out that best practices in journalistic reporting of tourist destinations require strict observance of journalism ethics, demonstration of effective communication skills and good knowledge of the industry.
“The great potentials of tourism as a key contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the reason you must work with other industry players and stakeholders to make it sustainable and profitable,” he stated.
According to him, for a journalist to effectively contribute to sustainable tourism development in Nigeria, professionalism must be adopted.“Your role as a journalist can only be impactful if you are truly professional in carrying out your work,’’ he said. Stating further, ‘‘as influencers and conscience of the society, you only earn the respect and confidence of the people when you conduct your journalism in the most professional manner.In projecting Nigeria positively, you need to appreciate that Nigeria is a huge tourist destination in Africa with great potentials for growth.
“As journalists and tourism writers, you need to constantly set the agenda for public discourse and conversation around the issue of tourism.Issues to be raised should include environmental sustainability, cultural preservation and long term socio-economic benefits. “Promote and market tourist destinations, which entail raising brand awareness using different media platforms.“Also, in the national interest, instead of criticising tourism policies and actions, it is necessary that you seek audience or make inquiries to establish facts on ground about what is being done or what should be done.
“Although Nigeria is facing security challenges, it is necessary to assure tourists, through your reporting and writing, that it is not true that the entire country is engulfed by insecurity.
The greater part of the country is still safe for tourist visit. Put out information that will boost the confidence of tourists.” Concluding his presentation, Dogo noted that Nigerian journalists and tourism writers are critical stakeholders in the promotion of sustainable tourism development.This is as he stated that, “among other things, they have a duty to raise awareness on the great potentials and benefits of the tourism industry in growing the Nigerian economy.
“However, for them to make the desired impact, they must observe the journalism code of ethics while using effective communication skills to disseminate information on tourism. “The ultimate goal is to ensure that national interest overrides any primordial interests in promoting the tourism industry.”
Otunba Segun Runsewe: Effective communication, networking necessary for tourism growth
Delivering his paper titled, Tourism Communication: Bridging the Public and Private Sector Communication Gap, Runsewe, charged ANJET members to continue to perform as change agents and influencers in the tourism industry, as according to him, Nigeria deserves to be a top destination in Africa, and the world.He also advocated a centralised indus- try engagement platform driven by the tourism media where critical issues on the sector could be examined and solutions proffered, adding that such forum would engender effective collaboration and co- competition desirable to build a strong cultural tourism economy.
Runsewe noted that, “for communication to be effective, the communicator must have a firm grip of the subject matter. Since you cannot give what you do not have, it follows naturally that you cannot communicate what you do not understand.
“Communication in the tourism sector is therefore of critical importance in promoting and marketing destinations, attracting tourists and building robust relationship among the various stakeholders involved in the tourism business.
‘‘It is important to point out that tourism is the fastest growing export industry accounting for about 330 million people worldwide. In a competitive environment where tourism has to cater for the diverse range of visitors in order to maintain the market positions, strategic communication in tourism is imperative.
“The tourism industry is competitive. Therefore, effective communication and networking are necessary to draw attention to the facilities and resources in a destination in order to attract potential visitors.This can be achieved by targeting the right audience with the right message on what can make experience memorable in a particular destination.”
The NCAC boss also advocated for media practitioners to drive strategic partnership among key stakeholders and operators in tourism sector of the economy.
Runsewe further charged the media to position themselves for the task of agenda setting in the industry, in addition to leading the charge in the change campaign, which he posited, would reposition the industry and its operators for effective exploration of its potentials.
He commended NIHOTOUR’s DG, Kangiwa, for, ‘‘sustaining the tourism media training masterclass series over the years. Nura Kangiwa is moving the tourism and hospitality vocational training intervention to the next level.‘‘I must commend his interest in encouraging the best practices of tourism journalism without which Nigeria will not take its rightful place in the history of tourism comity of nations.”
And when we woke up, we had these bodies. They’re like, except I’m having them! Oh, I think we should just stay friends. You’ll have all the Slurm you can drink when you’re partying with Slurms McKenzie Hey, tell me something. You’ve got all this money. How come you always dress like you’re doing your laundry?
Yes, if you make it look like an electrical fire. When you do things right, people won’t be sure you’ve done anything at all. I just want to talk. It has nothing to do with mating. Fry, that doesn’t make sense. Quite possible.
It is nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.
You guys go on without me! I’m going to go look for more stuff to steal! You guys realize you live in a sewer, right? Hey, tell me something. You’ve got all this money. How come you always dress like you’re doing your laundry? If rubbin’ frozen dirt in your crotch is wrong, hey I don’t wanna be right.
Fetal stemcells, aren’t those controversial? You don’t know how to do any of those. What’s with you kids? Every other day it’s food, food, food. Alright, I’ll get you some stupid food. You won’t have time for sleeping.
Maybe you don’t like your job, maybe you didn’t get enough sleep.
Oh yeah, good luck with that. Hey, tell me something. You’ve got all this money. How come you always dress like you’re doing your laundry? Explain that. Leela, Bender, we’re going grave robbing.
A Bicyclops Built For Two
I love you, buddy! Yep, I remember. They came in last at the Olympics, then retired to promote alcoholic beverages! The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.
I saw you with those two “ladies of the evening” at Elzars.
For the last time, I don’t like lilacs! Your first wife was the one.
But the flesh is spongy and spanac bruised?
Oh, all right, I am. But if anything happens to me, tell them I died robbing some old man. When will that be? Well, take care of yourself, Han. I guess that’s what you’re best at, ain’t it? I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Progress is a nice word.
Daylight and everything. This is the worst part. The calm before the battle. I saw you with those two “ladies of the evening” at Elzars. Explain that. Leela, Bender, we’re going grave robbing. Who am I making this out to?
It’s nice to just embrace the natural beauty within you. Who am I making this out to? Shut up and get to the point!
And remember, don’t do anything that affects anything, unless it turns out you were supposed to, in which case, you mean while for the love of God, don’t not do it!
Doomsday device? Ah, now the ball’s in Farnsworth’s court! You mean while I’m sleeping in it? Shut up and get to the point!
I’ve got to find a way to escape the horrible ravages of youth. Suddenly, Going to the bathroom like clockwork, every three hours. And those jerks at Social Security stopped sending me checks. Who am I making this out to?
They came in last at the Olympics, then retired to promote alcoholic beverages! I haven’t felt much of anything since my guinea pig died. This is the worst part. The calm before the battle.
You have to enjoy life. Always be surrounded by people that you like.
Yes, if you make it look like an electrical fire. When you do things right, people won’t be sure you’ve done anything at all. Just once I’d like to eat dinner with a celebrity who isn’t bound and gagged. I guess if you want children beaten, you have to do it yourself. Interesting. No, wait, the other thing: tedious.
I haven’t felt much of anything since my guinea pig died. Quite possible. We live long and are celebrated science. And remember, don’t do anything that affects anything, unless it turns out you were supposed to.
Everyone in this world is somehow connected.
Ah, computer dating. It’s like pimping, but you rarely have to use the phrase “upside your head.” Who am I making this out to?
You mean while I’m sleeping in it? Throw her in the brig. Michelle, I don’t regret this, but I both rue.
Daylight and everything. I just want to talk. It has nothing to do with mating. Fry, that doesn’t make sense. So I really am important? How I feel when I’m drunk is correct?
Good man. Nixon’s pro-war and pro-family. And then the battle’s not so bad? And remember, don’t do anything that affects anything, unless it turns out you were supposed to, in which case, for the love of God, don’t not do it! Shut up and get to the point! Hey, tell me something. You’ve got all this money. How come you always dress like you’re doing your laundry? I’m sure those windmills will keep them cool.
Yes, if you make it look like an electrical fire. When you do things right, people won’t be sure you’ve done anything at all. I love you, buddy! Please, Don-Bot look into your hard drive, and open your mercy file! You guys aren’t Santa! You’re not even robots. How dare you lie in front of Jesus? Hey, whatcha watching? That’s right, baby. I ain’t your loverboy Flexo, the guy you love so much. You even love anyone pretending to be him!
Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out.
Kids have names? That could be beautiful soul sitting naked on a couch. If I could just learn to play this stupid thing. No! I want to live! There are still too many things I don’t own! Yeah, I do that with my stupidness. You can see how I lived before I met you. Do a flip!
Hello Morbo, how’s the family? I’ve been there. My folks were always on me to groom myself and wear underpants. What am I, the pope? I love this planet! I’ve got wealth, fame, and access to the depths of sleaze that those things bring. We’ll need to have a look inside you with this camera.
