LAGOS – Mr. Tayo Orisadare, aviation expert has described the recently held ‘Detty December Festival’ in Lagos as a boost for General Aviation (GA) in Nigeria.
This is as Mr. Toni Ukachkwu, tourism enthusiast, decried the high level of environmental degradation escalated by the Detty December Festival, saying the government needed to be intentional with tourism development in the country.
Speaking over the weekend in Lagos as a panelist on the topic: ‘The Role of General Aviation in Tourism Development,’ at the launch of Travel Inn Booking Portal, Orisadare, said that the GA benefited hugely from the month-long festival held last December.
The Lagos State Government was said to have generated a significant amount from Detty December, with the tourism and entertainment sectors bringing in $71.6 million within the period.
This revenue boost was driven by various events and activities, including music festivals, concerts, and other recreational activities that took place in Lagos during the Detty December period.
Though, Orisadare, was not specific about the actual amount of money generated by the GA during the period, but reports claimed that aviation industry in Lagos generated significant revenue with estimates suggesting over $100 million raked in from tourism-related activities.
This surge in revenue was largely driven by the influx of travellers from Europe and the United States who arrived in Nigeria for the festive season.
Reports claimed that the airlines would have earned more from the festival, but upsurge in flight delays and cancellations, reduced their earnings.
Orisadare, however, said that the festival could only be sustained when the government was intentional about it through policy formulation and execution.
He said: “Detty December is one of the best things that has happened to General Aviation. Detty December will only be sustainable when there is an intention from both the government and practitioners.
“From the economic part of it, I think there is need to have a sovereign policy around tourism, where you know that government is supposed to be an enabler and should not see everything in terms of naira and kobo.
“If we say Detty December dirtied the environment, we can make some mandatory policy where you have some literatures on the aircraft to say ‘our country is clean, please, do not litter our country.’ Then, you have some waste baskets, where you can drop some wastes.”
In his comment, Ukachukwu lamented that aviation contributes about 2 per cent to total global pollution.
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He expressed that despite the fact that Detty December brought lovers of tourism to Lagos, many did not take cognisance of the environmental damage it caused Lagos State in particular and Nigeria as a whole, especially to aquatic life.
He expressed that these destructions would not make the environment livable and sustainable.
He added: “The only way we can make it better is to prepare events like this and create ecolodges and event centres that are ecofriendly and green. Detty December contributed to the economy of Lagos, however, how can we leverage on this economy to stop damaging our environment?
“Event centres must be ecofriendly so that their wastes don’t damage our environment. These are things that the government and private individuals can look into, making sure that it’s a healthy clean December.”
Also, Oma Nnorom, Founder of Travel Inn Booking, in her presentation, said that the portal would make travel easier for clients.
According to her, part of the incentives is the offering of exclusive airport drop off for international clients.
Nnorom explained further that the company was also promoting tourism development and green environment through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
She said: “Today we have launched our travel flight booking portal where our clients can book flight on the go and make payment. We are offering exclusive airport drop off where when you book your international flight, you get a free airport drop off.
“Today, we have also promoted our green project, which is our CSR initiative and is focused on sustainable tourism.
“Inasmuch as we are promoting tourism, we also have to put conscious effort in making sure that there is sustainability in the tourism industry by calling on the attention of individual on ocean clean up and recycling.”
Besides, Alhaji Nuhu Adam, aviation professional, described Travel Inn booking portal as a complete package that handles tourism in general, apart from air travel.
“It is not a regular platform – travel, tourism and environment are interwoven. So, how do we help in sustaining this environment for the generation yet to come?” He queried.
Adam explained that the company hoped to collaborate with State government in ensuring cleaner environment and laded the Lagos State Government for taking the lead in this aspect.
He also appealed to State governments to start the awareness campaign on green environment from the grassroots especially from the primary schools.
