L-R: Alhaji Nuhu Adams, Chairman, Travel Inn Magazine Ltd; Tayo Orisadare, MD, Metro Aviation; Toni Ukachukwu, Publisher Aviators Africa; Dr Femi Iyioluwa Ajala- Invisalign Provider; Oma Nnorom, Founder, Travel Inn Booking and Publisher of Travel Inn magazine and Dr. Franklin Enearu, co-founder Travel Inn Booking the launch of Travel Inn Bookings in Lagos on Sunday
By Sade Williams
Travel stakeholders at the weekend, called on governments at all levels to initiate policies that will enhance sustainable tourism.
The experts, who, harped on enforcement of regulations on waste and disposal system, promotion of eco-friendly practices for tourism facilities such as hotels and availability of infrastructure, as well as development of general aviation, urged government to be intentional about tourism development.
Speaking during the launch of Travel Inn Booking, Tayo Orisadare, managing director, Metro Aviation, emphasised the importance of general aviation to tourism development.
“Over 40,000 aircraft are involved in general aviation while it offers about 4.2 million jobs globally but Nigeria needs to improve infrastructure to realise potentials of general aviation because it has the penetrating ability to access hinterlands and places that people would not want to go to normally, high valued tourism is enhanced by general aviation. For instance, how do people get to Davos during the World Economic Forum? Sometimes by sea or by chartered flights, it has a lot to contribute to aviation’.
Orisadare praised government for hitherto organising the ‘”Detty December” festival in Lagos as it attracts tourists, which contribute to the Nigerian economy, however, he said ‘such lofty initiative can only be sustainable when there is an intentionality from government and the people.’
“Detty December is one the best things that will happen in Nigeria but we need to be intentional about seeing tourism as a big venture, activities around tourism events can be regulated to Procter the environment.
Toni Ukachukwu, publisher, Aviators Africa, who spoke on Sustainable Tourism and Environmental Responsibility, urged Nigerians to be advocates of sustainability by practicing it in their homes, adding also that eco-tourism is one of the ways Nigerians can improve responsible tourism.
“The solution is to live responsibly, it starts with us as individuals. There was an influx of tourists during Detty December but the negative impact on the environment was huge. Event centres must comply with sustainability initiatives. Government must not only see this as source of income but one that it should be intentional about, roads linking tourists sites should be developed.”, he said
Also speaking, Prof. Evidence Akhayere, an Environmental Scientist said “bottles and plastics are a threat to our environment but how much of awareness have we created in our communities on the fact that the are not going to decompose, how much do they know about the fact that they are not environmental friendly.
“It is either we stop producing plastics or we face the consequences. If we cannot dispose it properly, we should not use it”, he said.
Chairman of Travel Inn Magazine Ltd, Alhaji Nuhu Adams noted that for the love of the environment, the Travel Inn Booking has been designed to be a total package.
“It’s a complete package not just travel but we are looking at tourism, how travel and tourism impact the environment , it’s like three in one. Having been in the aviation sector for about two decades, I can comfortably say it’s time to help in advocacy for this. It’s not a regular booking platform, we believe, travel, tourism and the environment are interwoven, how do we help in sustaining the environment for generations yet unborn while at the same time, we delivering value to our clients.”, he said.
He lauded the Lagos State Government ‘for being at the fore front of the campaign against environmental pollution,’ urging governments at all levels to start the awareness campaign on green environment from primary schools.
In the same vein, Oma Nnorom, Founder of Travel Inn Booking, revealed that the occasion afforded her the opportunity to create awareness about green environment, the need to educate people about the importance of sustainability and promoting eco-friendly practices.
“Today we have launched our travel flight booking portal where our clients can book flight on the go and make payment. We are offering exclusive airport drop off where when you book your international flight, you get a free airport drop off.
“Today, we have also promoted our green project, which is our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and is focused on sustainable tourism. Inasmuch as we are promoting tourism, we also have to put conscious effort in making sure that there is sustainability in the tourism industry by calling on the attention of individual on ocean clean up and recycling.”, she said.
