By Aduragbemi Omiyale The chief executive of Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, Mr Babatunde Olofin, has posited that Nigeria needs a thriving hospitality industry, especially at a period when the country is experiencing harsh economic challenges. Mr Olofin made this submission while speaking on a recent award won by the company at the 2024 Hotel Industry Excellence and Sustainability Award (HIESA). The leading digital financial services provider and definitive bank for businesses in Nigeria was honoured with the prestigious Best Hospitality Industry Support – Fintech Award, underscoring its commit ..read more

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Flight operations of Dana Air have been suspended on the directive of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). This comes after an aircraft of the company conveying passengers from Abuja to Lagos skidded off the runway of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Tuesday morning. The Minister, in his directive to the NCAA, ordered a comprehensive audit of the airline’s safety protocols, maintenance procedures, and financial health. Mr Keyamo disclosed in the letter titled Immed ..read more

By Modupe Gbadeyanka A slight air mishap involving an aircraft operated by Dana Air has occurred at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. Reports suggest that the plane belonging to the commercial airline operator crash-landed on Tuesday morning, though it could not be confirmed if any casualty was recorded. The incident involving the Dana Air aircraft reportedly caused panic around the facility and efforts are currently ongoing to determine the cause of the accident. Details Later ..read more

By Aduragbemi Omiyale Transcorp Hotels Plc has sold its 100 per cent stake in its Calabar subsidiary, Transcorp Hotels Calabar, to Eco Travels and Tours Limited. The hospitality firm confirmed the divestment last week in a notice to the investing public through the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, where it trades its securities. Transcorp Hotels explained that its decision to offload the business in Cross River State was mainly to give more attention to its profit-making Abuja business, Transcorp Hilton Abuja. “Transcorp Hotels’ strategic focus is on Abuja and the significant continuing invest ..read more

By Modupe Gbadeyanka A prominent hospitality establishment, Bintoo Hotel Limited, has said it might seek a legal redress over the invasion of its premises recently by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It was gathered recently, operatives of the anti-money laundering agency allegedly stormed Bintoo Hotel in Sagamu, Ogun State, creating panic among employees and customers of the facility. In a statement, the firm expressed shock over the “unauthorized nighttime raid,” because it is a responsible corporate citizen. In the disclosure issued on Thursday, Bintoo Hotel ..read more

By Adedapo Adesanya Nigeria has secured $1.3 billion in funding to complete a railway project connecting Kano, the largest city in Northern Nigeria, to Maradi in neighbouring Niger, as part of efforts to boost infrastructure that will expand regional trade. The project is part of a government plan to build rail networks across Nigeria to address the poor transport infrastructure that has affected economic growth in Africa’s largest economy for decades. The Ministry of Transportation on Wednesday said that the railway line would build on existing economic and social ties to boost trade and cult ..read more

Transportation services play a vital role in the operations of businesses, facilitating the movement of goods, services, and personnel. To make good use of transportation services, businesses must implement effective strategies and practices to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance overall productivity. This article will explore various ways in which businesses can make good use of transportation services to support their objectives and achieve success. Supply Chain Optimization One of the key ways businesses can make good use of transportation services is by optimizing their supply c ..read more

By Adedapo Adesanya The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, has walked back on a widely reported admission that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted the visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers. Earlier on Tuesday, two media aides of Mr Tinubu, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, and Mr Onanuga, confirmed that the restriction has finally been removed. In a single tweet posted hours after the initial announcement, Mr Onanuga wrote, “UAE has not resumed visa issuance to Nigerians. The document in cir ..read more

By Modupe Gbadeyanka The visa ban earlier placed on Nigerian travellers by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been lifted after two years. In a joint statement issued on Monday, February 26, 2024, it was, however, stated that applicants must “first obtain a Document Verification Number” to obtain a visa into the country. The UAE government advised Nigerian travellers to strictly “adhere to the guidelines and initiate the applications promptly, ensuring and smooth transition to the new system,” Recall that last year, President Bola Tinubu, after he assumed office in May 2023, travelled to the M ..read more

By Adam Aziz In 2019, tourism was a global powerhouse, accounting for 10% of GDP, or roughly $9 trillion. After weathering the pandemic storm, we expect 2023 figures to show a full recovery to pre-COVID levels, in line with data from leading travel platforms and the World Bank. But the story doesn’t end there. A transformative shift is underway, fuelled by evolving consumer preferences and habits, which could push tourism spending even higher to $13 trillion by 2030. Amidst this dynamic landscape, the travel tech sector is witnessing noteworthy developments. Online Travel Agencies (O ..read more