Mr. Ikechi Uko the Project Director of the search for the Seven Wonders of Nigeria (Naija7wonders) in a facebook post that was widely shared listed some people as the Champions of Domestic Tourism in Nigeria in 2020.
The list included some Travel Professionals that he listed as the Best Promoters of Nigeria in 2020. He said that they provided pictures and stories of many destinations.in his Words “while we stayed at home they travelled on our behalf”.
He also listed three Journalists as the Best Destination Promoters of 2020.
Below is the list of the Top Promoters and the Journalists. They are all Members of the Tourism 100 Club.
The listing of the Top 100 Tourism Personalities in Nigeria by Travellers Magazine is historic and an effort to cast in gold the faces of the people who are behind the great effort and deep sacrifices in promoting tourism in Nigeria despite the harsh conditions they operate within the tourism landscape in Nigeria. Travellers Magazine is the first travel magazine in West Africa, remaining consistent in its publications for over 22 years
The Top Destination Journalists for 2020 are
1) Emelike Obinna of Bussinesday
Past Winner of CNN Travel Journalist of the year and a profound writer for BusinessDay Media Ltd which is the leading medium for up-to-date news and insightful analysis of business, policy and the economy in Nigeria.
A critical decision-making tool for investors and managers. It provides unbiased news and informed analysis on politics, governance, social and economic trends.
2) Andrew Okungbowa of New Telegraph
A Journalist of close to three decades, with 20 years in the guardian and now travel and tourism editor of new telegraph. Married with three children and holds a Master’s degree in English and certifications in other trainings and NIHOTOUR and widely travelled both within and outside the country
3. Taiye Baiyerohi Olayemi of NAN.
A Senior Correspondent with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
The Top Promoters are:
1) Olugbenga Omotayo Sunday- Lead Consultant, Tojum Hospitality.
He made Idere Hills one of the leading destinations in Nigeria during the lockdown, handling over a thousand tourists in Ibarapa local government area of Oyo state.
2) Bolaji Seun, team lead Naija Explorers, is a Young Tourism Personality Known for Making Nigerian Waterfalls Popular. He was inducted into Top 100 Tourism Personality in Nigeria 2019. Bolaji Seun has many horns to blow, when it comes to Nigerian tourist destinations. Yet, he believes he has more to learn as he hopes to do better in reshaping the ill-portrayal of Nigeria as an unsafe destination routes for tourists.
3) Omotosho Hakeem Olamilekan – MD, Omotosho Travels and Tours
A destination marketer for Kwara State. His promotions put Owu Falls on the list of the most visited place in 2020.
4) Chiamaka Obuekwe: Social Prefect tours is a Nigerian Tourism company that is passionate about African tourism and connecting great people, we organize ‘off the beaten path’, unique and interesting tours and adventures around Nigeria, Africa and other unique parts of the world.
She was credited as one of the 25 People who changed tourism in Nigeria with her Use of Social Media especially Instagram to drive Tourism.
During the lockdown she promoted several trips to Obudu Mountain Resort and La Campagne Beach Resort in Lagos.
Social Prefect tours has received massive media recognition and has been featured on various media platforms like CNN, Guardian, Genevieve magazine, Punch, seriously speaking on Channels TV, This Day, Ebony Life TV, Wazobia TV, Classic FM, Lagos talks FM, Everything digital, Konbini and a lot more.
5) Omotoke Fatoki A.K.A “the Alarinka of afrika” is a travel expert who has travelled to all 36states + FCT, to promote tourism in Nigeria. She is a young Nigerian lady with her passion deep rooted in travels, history and culture.
She launched her new book last year titled ‘101 travel destinations’
6) Lucky George – Publisher/Editor at African Travel Times Magazine which is Africa’s leading online travel and tourism publication. He is an Award Winning Journalist. He drove round 10 states in Nigeria in 27 days to mark World Tourism Day in 2020.
7) Jibola Oluseye Abati – CEO, Itravels and Tours Presented and promoted most of the beautiful beaches in Badagry, Lagos including Nightlife and sunset views.
8) Anago James Akeem Osho, Founder, Anago James Akeem Osho Adventures and Heritage Preservation: He has been organizing tours and tour guiding visitors in Nigeria, Benin Republic and across West Africa since 1998. An ambassador of the region to thousands of tourists from all over the world by connecting and showcasing the unique tourist attractions of Nigeria, and Benin Republic.
He exhibits the picturesque, undiluted naturalness of the people, culture, history, nature, festival, nightlife and day to day livelihood experiences of the people to the visitors.
He has won multiple cultural promoter and tour guide awards. At Abuja Jabamah he was inducted into the Top 100 Tourism Personality in Nigeria 2019 organized by Akwaba African travel market.
9) Mardis travels and tours, Umeokoli Cordis-Maria has been listed as one of the top 100 tourism personalities in Nigeria.
Mardis travels and tours, is a destination management company that promotes tourism destination in Nigeria and has vast experiences the tourism related offerings.
Mardis travels and tours, was established on the 10th may 2018 and Cordis-maria has been working so efficiently to keep the company growing.
She also journeyed round the southeastern states all the way through Nri museum. Newly commissioned Nnewi museum, Igwe Orizu palace, Igboukwu federal museum, Igboukwu state museum, Enugu Ukwu museum, Ogbunike cave festival.
Ogbaukwu cave tour with tourists as well as Awlaw waterfall in Oji river, Unity park.
Nameless Ngwo waterfall , Opi Nsukka cashew plantation, Uhere waterfall at Igbozalla opi Nsukka In Enugu State.
10) NWACHUKWU Kingsley Uzoma – Naija Explorers
He is a young and very passionate tourism enthusiast, who rose from being a member of Tourism Comet Club International, Lagos State Chapter in 2013 to being president of the club in 2018.
He was inducted into the Top 100 Tourism Personalities in Nigeria. He has helped largely in promoting alot of tourism destinations in Nigeria.
He has and is still successfully instilling the love of tourism in the mind of both his peers and his elders.
His utter dedication to tourism is unquestionable and he is ever willing to learn.
11) NANNA D. YAKUBU, Zonal coordinator Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, North Central, Jos, has been listed as one of the top 100 tourism personalities in Nigeria.
Nanna D. Yakubu is also a member of some notable tourism professional bodies.
NANNA Yakubu is a tourism professional and works with Nigerian tourism development corporation.
She wrote a new book titled ‘’Introduction to tourism studies for schools and colleges” she did various courses on tourism, she has served in several committees on tourism at Federal, State and Community levels.
12) Oludayo Taiwo Gideon – CEO, Aeroport Travels, Tours and Aviation school.
13) Rotiba Funmi, the Chief Executive Officer of Special Tours and Travels Limited, who also doubles as the CEO of Imperial House of Culture has been listed in the Top 100 Tourism Personalities in Nigeria.
Erelu as she’s is fondly called was crowned Erelu Asa of Nigeria for her passion and love of sustaining and protecting the Cultural Value of Yoruba and Nigeria as a whole. Erelu Funmi was honoured with Top 100 Tourism Personalities in West Africa, in the year 2017 in Accra, Ghana. She was also honoured with Best 100 Tour Operators by Africa Travel Market. Rotiba Funmi hails from Irun Akoko, Ondo State.
By Patrick Wisdom
