My Blog

Tag: Tourism

  • Travel Expert Warns Rising Costs Threaten Detty December

    Travel Expert Warns Rising Costs Threaten Detty December

    Mr. Gbenga Onitilo, Chief Executive Officer of TravelDen, has cautioned that unchecked price hikes could erode the appeal of Nigeria’s popular Detty December festivities.

    Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Thursday, Onitilo said many visitors were already voicing frustrations over inflated costs, warning that the trend could dampen enthusiasm for the holiday season and hurt the tourism sector.

    He described the current pricing landscape as “unsustainable,” noting that some hotels, event organisers, and service providers were charging between three and six times their usual rates.

    “Accommodation, entertainment, and hospitality services have gone overboard. We are gradually creating an environment that discourages returning Nigerians and international visitors,” he said.

    READ OTHER STORIES:

    https://my.nigeriananchor.com/3-injured-as-ndlea-officers-battle-drug-dealers-in-edo/

    https://my.nigeriananchor.com/money-laundering-gbajabiamila-seeks-creation-of-gaming-regulatory-associations-to-tackle-menace/

    https://my.nigeriananchor.com/host-communities-threaten-to-shutdown-oil-production-over-3-pia-fund/

    Onitilo explained that Detty December gained momentum in 2024 through social media, which showcased Nigeria’s rich nightlife, food culture, concerts, and tourism experiences. The season, he added, became a homecoming highlight for Nigerians in the diaspora eager to reconnect with local culture.

    However, he lamented that some operators now set prices targeting foreign currency spenders, neglecting affordability—a key element of Nigeria’s festive tradition.

    “If this continues, many Nigerians will choose other destinations with structured, reasonably priced holiday experiences,” Onitilo warned, citing Ghana and Rwanda as examples of countries with better-regulated festive economies.

    He urged government intervention to stabilise pricing through regulation, stakeholder engagement, and possible subventions to protect the seasonal economy.

    “This year, many stakeholders prepared well, but we have taken pricing out of order,” he said. “Bars, restaurants, and hotels are pushing limits unnecessarily.”

    Onitilo emphasised that sustaining Detty December would require collaboration, fair pricing, and long-term planning to keep Nigeria competitive and attractive to both local and international holidaymakers.

  • I’m poised to put Nigerian cuisines on global map- Hilda Baci

    I’m poised to put Nigerian cuisines on global map- Hilda Baci
    Hilda Bassey was honoured by NIHOTOUR in Abuja on Saturday.

    World Guinness Record holder in the longest cooking marathon, Hilda Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci has pledged to continue to work towards putting Nigeria on the global culinary map.

    Baci gave the assurance during the Nigerian Gastronomy Festival Gala Night organised by National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), in Abuja.

    According to her, with encouragement from the government, Nigeria will be taking over the global culinary industry.

    She said the food industry, if properly developed, could spin as much revenue for the nation as the oil industry.

    Bassey commended NIHOTOUR’s efforts in encouraging individuals to upgrade their cooking skills.

    “Like I always say, the food industry is like the oil industry.

    “Nigeria is definitely going to be the destination for food tourism, give it another five years, we are already on our way to greatness.

    “With everything happening now, giving an opportunity to people to express themselves with food and hospitality, it is a beautiful development in taking us to that enviable height.

    “In my own little or big way, I will keep putting in the effort to put Nigerian cuisines on the map to drive more positive attention to Nigeria as a whole, just let people know what we have and are capable of,” she said.

    Baci officially broke the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours and 11 minutes.

    The 26-year-old Nigerian chef began on May 11 and continued through to May 15, cooking over 100 pots of food during her four-day kitchen stint.

    Baci attempted to set a record of 100 hours, however, almost seven hours were deducted from her final total because she mistakenly took extra minutes for one of her rest breaks early on in the attempt.