Written by Wale Ojo-Lanre
FOLLOWING the successes and recognition of the Ikegun Village, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos-based La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, which features the inviting ambience of the Atlantic ocean and the fresh water lagoon, as a world class Africa themed resort, the government of Cote d’ Ivoire has agreed to a partnership deal that would see to the creation of 20 La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort at 20 different locations in the country by La Campagne.
This development was the outcome of a meeting between the founder and President of La Campagne, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye and the government of Cote d’ Ivoire led by the Minister of Tourism, Mr Roger Kacou and the president of the country’s Tourism Development Fund, Mr Marc Vicens.
In a letter conveying this decision, the Cote d’ Ivoire Minister of Tourism, Kacou said the decision to partner with La Campagne is because of the African concept of La Campagne, its infusion of Africa architectural design and culture blended with a contemporary feel.
Kacou revealed that it is this kind of concept, which allows for the promotion of African culture, the natural and eco-tourism friendly element of Cote d’ Ivoire and other African countries that his country look to promoting as its stepped up plans for the revival and promotion of its tourism.
Work is expected to begin soon on the building of these 20 La Campagne resort as the locations for the project have already been identified and even toured by La Campagne president during his recent visit to the country.
In a related development, La Campagne has also been invited alongside Nigeria officially as special guest to SITA 2014 with the mandate to organise and lead the Nigerian team to the event, which is billed to hold at the Golf Hotel, Abidjan between February 26 and March 2, 2014.
SITA, is a yearly travel and tourism trade exhibition organised by the country’s Ministry of Tourism to promote Cote d’ Ivoire tourism and encourage interaction with businesses and other key stakeholders and operators in the different sector of the economy.
Nigeria has been offered an exhibiting space of 40 square metres at the Village decouverte Du Monde to display her attractions and also allotted 15 minutes to perform at the opening ceremony while Nigerian Day is fixed for February 28.
A big and sumptuous gala night is expected to hold on Saturday March 1 with Nigeria as special guest and has 30 minutes to perform at the event. La Campagne is given an exhibiting space of 18 square metres to also exhibit its various products, particularly a model of La Campagne, which is to be one of the major highlights of the exhibition.
Already, La Campagne has intensified preparations for the event as it has presently embarked on a national mobilisation effort to enlist the participation of the various tourism associations, operators, stakeholders and allied businesses. The Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and states ministries of Culture and Tourism are also being canvassed for the five days event.
La Campagne has promised to make the event one of the best outings for Nigeria in recent years as only the best and serious minded operators and businesses would be selected from the growing list of Nigerian operators and companies who have indicated interest at attending the event.
