Ahmed Raza, District Director of the Radisson Hotel Group in Nigeria and General Manager of Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel Lagos VI, has described “Detty December” as one of the most powerful economic and hospitality drivers shaping Lagos and the wider West African tourism market. Raza made the remarks while speaking as a guest at the Naija7Wonders Zoom Conference 3.0 themed: “Festivals & Tourism in Nigeria: A New Pathway.”
According to him, the annual festive season has evolved beyond entertainment into a major tourism and hospitality ecosystem that now influences hotels, aviation, nightlife, restaurants and destination marketing. “Detty December is no longer just a festive season. It has evolved into one of the biggest economic and hospitality drivers for Lagos and increasingly for West Africa,” he said.
Raza noted that one of the strongest forces behind the growth of the festive tourism season is the Nigerian diaspora, whom he described as emotional travellers reconnecting with family, culture, and identity. He explained that this “diaspora effect” has significantly altered hotel booking patterns, guest spending behaviour, and the length of stay during the December period. According to him, the hospitality industry now earns substantial revenue not only from room occupancy, but also from food and beverage services, nightlife experiences, rooftop events, poolside entertainment and destination activities.
“The real upside is not just occupancy. A lot of the total spend comes from restaurants, nightlife, pool experiences, and events,” he stated. The Radisson executive disclosed that his hotel experienced occupancy levels in the “high 90s,” with several days recording 100 percent occupancy during the festive season. However, he stressed that the true measure of success is not simply filling hotel rooms, but delivering memorable experiences that encourage repeat visits year after year.
READ: Africa: Nigeria’s Festivals Need Better Infrastructure and Community Engagement to Tap into Tourism Goldmine Says Olugbenga Sunday
“It is easy to fill a hotel, but the real work is ensuring guests leave with memorable experiences and return the following year,” he added. Raza also identified social media as a major force driving tourism visibility and hotel performance, noting that viral content, influencer moments, rooftop experiences, and digital trends now directly affect destination demand. He further observed that domestic and intra-African tourism continue to grow strongly, with more Nigerian and African travellers seeking lifestyle-driven and experience-based tourism offerings.
Despite the progress, he acknowledged that infrastructure gaps, airport congestion, security concerns, and air connectivity challenges still need urgent attention to sustain Lagos’ growing reputation as a festive tourism hub. He nevertheless expressed optimism about recent improvements in airport infrastructure and regional travel cooperation, including easing visa policies within Africa. According to him, if properly managed, Detty December could become a globally recognized tourism product capable of positioning Lagos as Africa’s leading festive destination.
