At the recently held Naija7Wonders Zoom Conference 3.0, themed “Festivals and Tourism in Nigeria: A New Pathway,” Ebele Enemchukwu, Tourism Ambassador, Soft Skills Consultant, and CEO of Wabio International, has identified “soft skills” as the critical missing link in the growth of Nigeria’s tourism and festival industry.
The former Mrs. Tourism United Nations shared her personal journey of re-strategizing her career post-pageantry to build a successful tourism brand. During her submission, she emphasized that festivals must transition from being mere one-off events to year-round relationship management exercises.
According to Enemchukwu, the intangibles—such as effective communication, authentic storytelling, branding, character, and personal relationship management—are what truly drive tourism success. “Festivals are not just events; treat them like relationships,” she urged, adding that the future of festival tourism relies heavily on these soft intangibles rather than just the fanfare of the events themselves.
Drawing from her experience, she highlighted that when a vision is clear, decisions become easier, and opportunities are recognized and seized. She stressed the importance of digital visibility, noting that in today’s world, if a festival cannot be found online, it effectively does not exist.
Furthermore, Enemchukwu charged organizers to stop “de-marketing” Nigeria by amplifying negative news. She advocated for a positive narrative backed by intentional action and proper training for hospitality workers, noting that every touchpoint, from immigration officers to hotel receptionists, shapes the overall perception of a destination. “When people know better, they do better,” she stated, emphasizing that training is a vital investment, not a waste of money.
