TBS Africa Joins The UNWTO Global Rural StartUp Competition, With Focus on Planet – Building Back Better

TBS Africa, an eco-tourism, tourism4sdgs and sustainability advocacy platform with the mission to promote and run advocacies for eco-friendly & SDG-compliant travel & tourism in Africa has officially joined the UNWTO Global Rural Tourism Startup Competition through her “Clean & Green Tourism Campaign”.

The “Clean & Green Tourism Campaign” for Africa which was recently launched as an initiative targeted at identifying eco-tourism sites and attractions in Africa for deliberate, intentional and intelligent “Clean & Green Tourism with SDG Action” activity-based advocacy. TBS

TBS Africa, will be joining the global competition in the second category: Planet – building back better – with focus on projects related to the promotion and protection of natural resources, namely the mitigation of the impact of tourism on waste, energy and water in rural areas.

The UNWTO Global Rural Tourism Startup Competition seeks to source new startups and entrepreneurs that advance the contribution of tourism to rural development and support recovery.

Creating opportunities in Rural Destinations through innovation and digital transformation in tourism to:

  • Fighting poverty: 80% of all people living in ‘extreme poverty’ live in rural communities.
  • Curbing depopulation: By 2050 68% of the world population will live in urban areas and cities will produce 85% of global economic output.
  • Closing the Digital Divide – 87 per cent of people in developed countries used the Internet, compared with just 19 per cent in the least developed countries.
  • Supporting Women and Youth– More that 50% of global workforce employed in tourism are women and nearly 1 billion of the world’s 1.2 billion youth aged 15-24 reside in developing countries and 88% of youth in developing countries live in rural areas; 75 million of them are unemployed.

1. BENEFITS

  • Mentoring by UNWTO and top partners
  • Tailored support for your startup
  • Investment opportunities
  • Form part of the UNWTO Innovation Network
  • Form part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages of the World Pilot Initiative
  • Scholarship opportunities for the Tourism Online Academy
  • Opportunity to present your startup at the 14th UNWTO General Assembly in Marrakech Morocco

 

2. CALENDAR

Launch:

6 April

Deadline to submit candidatures:

1 July

Announcement of finalists:

15 August

Final pitch session and announcement of winners:

October

 

3. CATEGORIES:

people

People – Leaving no one behind

Projects that incentivize the creation of jobs and opportunities, promote gender and youth empowerment, build opportunities for vulnerable groups in rural areas.

 

planet

Planet – building back better

Projects related to the promotion and protection of natural resources, namely the mitigation of the impact of tourism on waste, energy and water in rural areas.

 

prosperity

Prosperity – opportunities for growth

Startups that provide innovative solutions through new business models, instruments that promote access to finance, markets and marketing for tourism in rural areas.

 

propulsion

Propulsion of Rural Tech – Implementation of new technologies

Deep Tech – startups implementing new technologies to advance tourism and development in rural areas.

 

4. THE CHALLENGE:

Closer

Closer

Domestic tourism has shown positive signs in many markets since people tend to travel closer. Travellers go for ‘staycations‘ or vacations close to home.

 

New concerns

New concerns

Health & Safety measures and cancellation policies are consumers’ main concerns.

 

Get away

Get away

Nature, Rural Tourism and Road Trips have emerged as popular travel choices due to travel limitations and the quest for open-air experiences.

 

Last minute

Last minute

Last-minute bookings have increased due to volatility of pandemic-related events and the travel restrictions.

 

Change in demographics
Younger travellers most resilient
Change in demographics:
travel recovery has been stronger among younger segments. ‘Mature’ travellers and retirees will be the most impacted segments.
More responsible
More responsible
Sustainability, authenticity and localhood:
travellers have been giving more importance to creating a positive impact on local communities, increasing looking for authenticity.

Tourism has proven to be a tool for economic diversification and a major employment engine with a multiplier effect on other sectors that contribute to rural development. Tourism in rural areas can particularly benefit traditionally disadvantaged groups such as women – who make up 54% of the workforce in the tourism sector compared to 39% for the overall economy.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered rising interest from tourists looking for new experiences based around natural and rural areas in the open air, far from congested settings. This, combined with the already rising demand for more authentic experiences that over stronger engagement with local communities, their culture and products, such as local OR traditional gastronomy, etc., as well as demand for a greener approach in all stages of the travel experience opens up immense opportunities for the economic, social and environmental revitalization of rural areas through tourism.

The current crisis has also emphasized the importance of building resilience among communities in those rural areas which rely on tourism. This implies better social protection and benefits-sharing among communities, as well as economic diversification and the broadening of tourism products and markets through added value experiences. To achieve this, investment, skills development and education, access to finance, infrastructure development, digital transformation, sustainable development, impact assessment, improved governance and women’s empowerment should be placed at the heart of the recovery plans for tourism in rural communities. This will help support them as they navigate the crisis and build back better for people and planet.

Seyi Makinde, Oyo State Expresses Shock Over Demise of FTAN’s President

Oyo State government has expressed shock over the death of the National President of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Saleh Kareem Rabo, who died over the weekend and has been buried according to Islamic rites.

The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun disclosed this on Monday in a Press release made available to newsmen, describing the late Rabo as a team player and a great contributor to the success of building the tourism sector in Nigeria.

Olatubosun hinted that the contributions of the deceased in making tourism and an alternative revenue generation option outside petroleum in the country would be sorely missed.

“Unto every human, there is death, but we pray the Lord Almighty to repose the spirit of late Alhaji Saleh Kareem Rabo, who has contributed so much towards uplifting the tourism industry.

“His life and death should be a big lesson to us all that we are all tourists in this world, whatever we do, wherever we go and whoever we meet will be the imprint or mark that we shall leave to history to judge us.”

Olatubosun called on FTAN members in Oyo State and Nigeria to uphold the lofty ideals that the late President of the association believed in and work aassiduosly towards achieving the goal of the positioning tourism as a viable industry and an alternative to oil and gas in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Tourism Industry loses a Great Icon as Alhaji Rabo Saleh takes a Bow


Nigeria’s Tourism Industry loses a Great Icon as Alhaji Rabo Saleh takes a bow

By Michael Oyetunji | 06:30pm

The Nigerian tourism industry mourns the death of one of its icon, Alhaji Rabo Saleh, who until his death was the President of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN). He died in the early hours of Friday, 16th April, 2021 at his residence in Abuja. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites at Gudu Cemetery, Abuja.

As the news broke within the industry, many are still left in shock as to what could have happened to the man who was applauded as one of the finest that walked the streets of Nigeria’s tourism sphere. Friends and associates were left amazed at his sudden departure.

Members of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA – Abuja Zone), thronged the home of the late tourism icon, who was an erstwhile National Vice President of same association (2012-2016). His goodness and humility were the major points of applause given to the departed stalwart.

L-R: Amb. Kayode Adeshola, V.P NANTA Abuja, Alhaji Musali Dantata, Former NANTA & FTAN President, and Capt Emmanuel Great, Founder & CEO, TBS International ably represented NANTA & FTAN Family LIVE this morning onground from the house of Alhaji Saleh Rabo today!

Speaking at the burial site, the National President of NANTA, Mrs Susan Akporiaye, who handed over the baton to Late Alhaji Rabo at the zonal level could not control her tears while speaking with journalists; she expressed her shock as to how such a good man could die just at the peak of his career.

“Alhaji Rabo brought finesse and integrity to the travel and tourism industry, and I served with him as a Secretary of the association while he was the National Vice President. He was a father figure to me”, says Ambassador Kayode Adeshola, the current Vice President of NANTA – Abuja Zone.

The National President, NANTA, Madam Susan Akporiaye in mournful mood with other industry women onground at the burial!

Many dignitaries were present at the burial to pay their last respects to the departed tourism giant, who they believed had more to offer to the industry before death came calling. His death, as many agreed, has left an irreplaceable gap in the industry, due to his humility.

L-R: Capt Emmanuel Great, Founder & CEO, TBS International with Amb. Kayode Adeshola, V.P NANTA Abuja and other NANTA members on ground for the burial which held at Gudu Cemetery for Late Alhaji Saleh Rabo, National President, FTAN.

Alhaji Rabo was praised by many as a very humble and approachable man who does not flaunt his pedigree as a seasoned tourism professional from his university days. He was taunted as a potential minister of tourism due to his tourism-based educational profile. He will be sorely missed by all.

May his humble soul rest in perfect peace.

______________________

Michael Oyetunji writes from Abuja as the Editor-in-Chief of The Winepress Station
info.winepress@gmail.com
080 9770 7844

TBS Africa Launches the #RestartTourismAfrica Campaign, Calls for Industry Stakeholder’s Participation

As a show of solidarity with the UNWTO’s #RestartTourism advocacy, TBS Africa, a partnership-based eco-tourism advocacy platform  for Africa has launched the #RestartTourismAfrica, #RecoverTourismAfrica and #RecoverTourismTogether Campaigns targeted specifically as a support initiative for the tourism private sector in Africa.

According to UNWTO, Tourism has the potential to lead sustainable #recovery of societies post #COVID19. International coordination and standards play a crucial role in ensuring tourism’s return. With dialogue, political will and economic support the tourism sector will take off.

At TBS Africa, we strongly believe that restoring the confidence of the African traveller in visiting and exploring African destinations regionally and domestically is our priority for the restart of tourism in Africa  – while keeping tourists and tourism workers SAFE. However, achieving this requires the collaborative support of all actors in the tourism private sector, as well as Governments and host communities.

According to Capt. Emmanuel Great, CEO, TBS Africa and Convener of the Africa Aviation, Tourism & Hospitality Post-Covid19 Recovery Webinar 2020, “the #RestartTourismAfrica initiative is a brainer from the conclusions and recommendations garnered from the “Africa Day Edition” of the Post-covid19 Webinar series last year organized by TBS International. During this particular edition, all parties agreed that all tourism actors must focus on marketing & promoting African destinations to Africans and the world post-covid19 as a tool for harnessing the economic and social benefits tourism can bring for Africa”.

Remember that earlier last year, on April 16, 2020, just three (3) weeks into the lockdown, and in response to the quagmire of challenges facing the Tourism Industry in Africa caused by the Covid19 pandemic, TBS International became the first tourism organization in Nigeria to launch the “Covid19 Recovery Webinar Series” for the Tourism Industry in Africa tagged, “AVIATION, TOURISM & HOSPITALITY POST-COVID19 RECOVERY WEBINARS”, which held once a week for eight (8) consecutive weeks with panelists and audiences spanning across Africa & the Middle East including Government Agencies, Airlines, Hotel Chains, DMCs, DMOs, Tour Operators, Travel Agencies, as well as eminent Presidents, DGs & CEOs of Tourism Boards across Africa.

Supporting the strong community of the tourism private sector in Africa as well as millions of livelihoods that depend on tourism means building a sustainable and responsible travel experience in Africa that is safe for African host communities, workers and travelers alike.

In his continued remarks , the CEO, TBS Africa, who is an experienced aviation and tourism consultant, a “Tourism4SDGs Advocate” and Member, Institute for Tourism Professionals, ITPN, reiterated that, “the tourism industry in Africa continues to grapple with recovery while businesses are keeping up the fight for survival, but let’s not forget that tourism will recover and we will #BounceBackTogether.

“In the coming weeks, we shall be rolling out the schedule of specific tasks and activities to promote the campaign. Therefore, we solicit the contributions, suggestions, personal stories, challenges and active participation of all industry stakeholders, professionals, and governments. They are very much needed and we will make sure all active participants in this campaign will be unequivocally celebrated”.

To actively participate in this campaign and join the conversation, kindly use the below hash tags on all social media channels:

#RestartTourismAfrica
#RecoverTourismAfrica
#RecoverTourismTogether

Also, make sure to join the #RestartTourism Community here at –>> #RestartTourism WhatsApp Group

You may want to contact the Convener at africa@tourismtbs.com or +234 90 2919 3934 to learn more about how to participate.

 

Written By:

TBS Africa #RestartTourism Team

______________________________________________________

Note For Editors:

Tourism Business Synergies (TBS) International is a partnership-based travel, tourism and hospitality training, consulting, support & advocacy organization, serving a large clientele of travel & tourism private sector businesses in Nigeria and Africa. TBS International is recognized by NANTA & ITPN in Nigeria, the African Travel & Tourism Association, ATTA in Africa and the Sustainable mPACT, Sweden, Europe.

TBS Africa, a sub-division of TBS International, is an eco-tourism, tourism4sdgs and sustainability advocacy platform for Africa, with the mission to promote and run advocacies for eco-friendly & SDG-compliant travel & tourism in Africa.

TBS Africa launches the “Clean & Green Tourism Campaign” for SDG Action in Africa

According to the United Nations Environmental Programme, www.unep.org, “research shows that a rising number of tourist are becoming sustainability conscious. The modern tourist wants to give back to the countries and communities and destinations they visit and reduce their impact on the environment”.

But what are the options for the future green tourist or green traveler ? How much of an impact can one person have? The answer is a lot.

It is upon this background, that TBS Africa, a destination marketing and management company, based in Osun State, Nigeria, whose mission is promoting and advocating for eco-friendly and SDG-compliant travel and tourism in Africa, has launched the “Clean & Green Tourism Campaign” for Africa. This initiative is targeted at identifying eco-tourism sites and attractions in Africa for deliberate, intentional and intelligent “Clean & Green Tourism with SDG Action” activity-based advocacy.

Recently in Febuary 2021, the world woke up to the news of the filth and pollution of Lake Naguru, Kenya. According to www.allafrica.com, “all is not well at the lake that hosts the renowned Lake Nakuru National Park. The world-famous Lake Nakuru which was once a pearl in the chain of lakes that dot the great Rift Valley is longer a sight to behold.”

The lake, categorized as a UNESCO World Heritage tourism site, is slowly losing its allure, choking under pollution.

Therefore, starting this year with Osun Osogbo Sacred Groove, to Gurara Waterfalls, and onward to Lake Nakuru, of the Nakuru National Park, Kenya, TBS Africa has identified twelve (12) major eco-tourism sites and attractions in Nigeria and Africa for the “Clean & Green Tourism with SDG Action” Tours for the year 2021.

So why are we doing this?

This is because global tourism is really big business. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourist spending swelled from only $2 billion in 1950 to $1.2 trillion in 2015. The number of international tourists has grown by orders of magnitude as well, from 25 million travelled in 1950 to 1.2 billion in 2015.

Domestic tourism is even bigger. It is estimated that between five and six billion people take holidays at home. In one way or another we are almost all tourists. This is good news. Countless jobs have been created in the process, many for the poor.

It also means the potential in tourism going green is massive. But sustainable tourism still only represents a small fraction of the global industry.

Information continues to come out about the damage tourism can do to local environments and economies, including how travel accounts for 8 percent of greenhouse gases and how the foot traffic through national parks damages the very wonders people go there to enjoy.

 

As responsible travel becomes more and more popular, buzzy terminologies continue to pop up. But what does it all mean?

How can you know if the tour you booked or the hotel you’re staying at is actually environmentally friendly or sustainable?

“The answer is simple”, – according to Capt. Emmanuel Great, Tourism & SDG Advocate at TBS Africa and Convener, Africa Tourism & SDGs Summit 2020 – 2030, – “it is by making sure all actors in the tourism supply chain (the tourist, tourism private sector, government and community) becomes deliberate, conscious and intelligent in their actionable resolve to organize, package or participate only in eco-friendly and SDG-compliant travel and tourism. This is the only way to use tourism as a positive tool to fast-track the achievement of the SDGs in Africa”.

“All individuals, corporate establishments and tourism stakeholders in Africa are welcome to participate in our “Clean & Green Tourism Campaign” for SDG Action in Africa.”

We have identified seven (7) Eco-Tourism attractions in Nigeria and five (5) in Africa that we will tour this year and we will be glad to have everyone on any of these life-changing tours.

This SDG Action tours will be special experiences for all individual, corporate or stakeholder participants, as we will be making use of Green/Sustainable Accommodations, Green/Sustainable Transportation, while experiencing and participating in sustainable tour activities.

In the coming days, we will be releasing our 2021 Calendar of SDG Action Tours for Africa, and will be sharing it with everyone on our various social media platforms

Please, join us and get ready to experience sustainable and SDG-compliant travel and tourism.

 

Africa: Ooni Unveils Adire Textile Production Hub, Harps On Youth Engagement

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Monday launched an Adire textile production hub; a cultural centre built on a 30,000 square meters of land with a vision to empower the youths through the revival of local fabrics.

While declaring the hub opened within the premises of the Ife Ground Resorts, Ile-Ife, Ooni Ogunwusi revealed that the ancient Adire textile is an agelong tradition of Ife, from where he said it was taken to the Abeokuta by the Egbas and other parts of the world.

“Our vision is to empower our youths because that is the way to go, if we empower them they won’t be interested in protests and other things that might disrupt the system. A lot of them will be productively engaged and I am happy to inform you that we are doing that already.

“We are working with the textile department of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and other tertiary institutions across the country as well as Yoruba speaking countries like Cuba, Brazil, Venezuela among others.

“This innovation is a clear message to all that lots can be achieved through local technology and intelligence. Look at this whole place, it was built and decorated through local intelligence whole these fine touches were done with local fabrics (Adire).

“This is the beginning and I can assure you that we have mapped out plans to take it across the entire country and beyond.” The Ooni said.

Earlier in her address, Co-founder of the textile hub, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, described the concept as a viable means of youth empowerment, cultural promotion and cultural exchange.

“Her Majesty decided that we should launch this production hub during this year’s Aje festival because She is about wealth creation and entrepreneurship and textile hub aims to provide a lot of wealth creation opportunities for the local artisans in Ile-Ife who work with us and the hub will enable them to increase their production capacity and generate sustainable livelihood for themselves.

“Most important, His Majesty will also want the hub to engage in the use of sustainable practices, including researching and using dyes that are not harmful to the environment. He has emphasized that we make use of Elu leaf in Ile-Ife, which is also known as the indigo leaf as this is a resource that is yet to be tapped and can bring wealth creation to the local community.” Princess Ademiluyi said.

Nigeria: Ooni & Princess Ademiluyi Set To Launch Biggest Cultural Centre for Africa In Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Image result for ooni and princess ademiluyi

Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II and Princess Aderonke Ademiluyi To Launch Biggest Adire Textile Factory In Ile-Ife

His Imperial Majesty, The Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II and Princess Ronke Ademiluyi has described the launch of the Adire Textile Factory in Ile-Ife as to provide opportunities for cultural exchange between African and international students of design to learn about the adire fabric.

To this end, Ooni and Princess Ademiluyi who is also the Founder of Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria hinted that the biggest Adire Textile Factory would be launch on the 22nd of February 2021 to commemorate Annual Aje festival in the state.

Also, the Ooni of Ife has commissioned Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria to build a new Cultural Centre located in Ile-Ife, in South West Nigeria.

The new cultural center was described as a massive capital project that will require national and international funding sets to be laid on 30,000 squaremeter of land in Ile-Ife.

Ademiluyi said the Cultural Centre will be a repository for the indigenous arts and crafts found in Africa.  It will provide an ecosystem for development, teaching and learning guided by tradition, innovation and sustainability and will connect the stories of indigenous arts to the heritage of Africa.”

According to her “Other facilities within the complex will include a gallery for visiting exhibitions, a textile museum, a digital library, heritage artisan village (which will include the bronze casting, terracotta pottery and wood carving); an aso-oke cloth weaving pavilion, Yoruba culture academy, a design innovation lab and timeshare residential lodges.”

“The cultural complex project starts with the opening of phase one – an Adire Textile Hub which heralds the revival of indigenous fabric production and creative arts in Ife.

“The Hub will generate employment and become an example of the Non-Oil Export Initiative promoted by the Nigerian government.  It will increase the capacity of the artisans working in Ile-Ife and educate on the importance of sustainability and ethical and environmental practices.”

Princess Ronke Ademiluyi is an award winning fashion icon with huge commitments in positioning Nigeria as formidable force in the leading other top nations in the world’s fashion industry.

TOURISM Awards: TBS International, Osun State & Others Bags 2020 Tourism Awards

The Naija7wonders project, a domestic tourism initiative dedicated to promoting Nigeria Tourism as a global destination and a significant economic recourse for post pandemic recovery, as today listed Tourism Business Synergies – (TBS) International as the “Most Improved Industry Player for 2020″.

TBS International, a destination marketing and management company promoting and marketing Osun Tourism, while advocating for eco-friendly and SDGs-compliant travel and tourism experiences in Africa, has toppled the list in this award category.

Earlier in the year, on April 16, 2020, just three (3) weeks into the pandemic lockdown, TBS International became the first tourism organization in Nigeria to launch the Post-Covid19 Recovery Webinar series for the Tourism Industry in Africa tagged, “Aviation, Tourism & Hospitality PostCovid19 Recovery Webinars”, which held weekly for eight (8) consecutive weeks with panelists and audiences spanning across Africa and the Middle East including Government Agencies, Airlines, Hotel Chains, DMCs, DMOs, Tour Operators, Travel Agencies, as well as eminent Presidents & CEOs of Tourism Boards across Africa.

In June 2020, the Post-Covid19 Recovery Webinar Series metamorphosed into the “Africa Destinations Webinar”, curated by TBS Africa and dedicated to promoting African tourism destinations for Africans both within the continent and in diaspora, with special focus eco-tourism destinations. On June 25, 2020, the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Agency, MTPA, launched the maiden edition of these series with special coverage of unique attractions, hotels and resorts in the beautiful African Ocean Island of Mauritius.

Others in the award category includes KALO Africa Media, an independent Media Agency Promoting African Tourism and destinations.

In another Award Category Osun State conspicuously made it as 3rd Best Tourism State in Nigeria, having made a very significant move in November 2020 to rebrand and promote tourism in the State with the official launch of her Osun State Tourism Master Plan tagged “CUTOSEC – Culture and Tourism for Sustainable Economy – Vision Sterling 30-30”, an historic event which was chaired by Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the Executive Governor of the State, and organized by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism, as led by the Honorable Commissioner, Dr. Adebisi Obawale, in partnership with Sterling Bank.

After the launch, TBS International hosted the Hon. Commissioner of Culture & Tourism for Bayelsa State, Dr. Iti Orugbani, and his team, as well as other dignitaries to a half day City Tour of Osun Osogbo Sacred Groove, Centre for Black Culture & International Understanding (cultural and historical sites), including the Osogbo PHCN Power Distribution Head Station and the new five (5*) star LAIM Hotels all in Osogbo. Afterwards, Dr. Adebisi Obawale led his counterpart from Bayelsa State, and his entire team on a tour of the Genesis Art Gallery, a newly established private art gallery in the State.

In late August 2020, Captain Emmanuel Great, Founder & CEO at TBS International, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture & Tourism, State of Osun, had promoted Owala River, Oba Oke and Olumirin Waterfalls, Erin-ijesha, as top destinations to visit in Nigeria during the 13 weeks Naija7wonders Zoom Webinar Series

Lagos State toppled the list of Top Tourism States of 2020 while . Other states who made the list in this category are: Ekiti State, 2nd Position; Plateau State is 4th position for hosting of NAFEST 2020; Oyo State, 5th;  Akwa Ibom State, 7th; Kebbi State, 6th position for Argungu Festival; Bayelsa State, 8th position. Cross Rivers and Rivers States made 9th and 10th position respectively.

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