Obudu Mountain Resort, best place to be

Nigeria is endowed with massive tourism potentials, both natural and man-made. Each state of the federation has its own tourism potentials that could be developed to improve the tourism industry, turning it into revenue generating venture for the local communities and the nation as a whole.

However, out of these hundreds of tourism endowments, there is a search for seven that would serve as tourism icons for Nigeria. These are the Naija Seven Wonders and the search is on to unveil them.

The search team, made up of academics, professional tourism practitioners and travel journalists is to choose the best of tourism endowments of Nigeria either natural or man-made and then come up with a most-seen sites.

The visit to the short listed sites was to have a first hand assessment. The other 50 sites will also be visited by the team before pruning them down further until the final Naija Seven are chosen.

The Obudu Mountain Resort (Formerly Obudu Cattle Ranch) is one of the nominated tourist sites in Cross River State which offers the leisure seeker and the conference goer a complete contrast. Not only in its temperate climate but also its exciting and different location.

Nestling at the top of the mountain, the Obudu Mountain Resort is situated on a plateau at 1576 metres above sea level on the Oshie Ridge of the Sankwala Mountains. The temperate climate offers a total contrast and welcome respite from Africa’s tropical heat. Idyllic tranquillity, beautiful scenery and breathtaking views make it ideal for the lone adventurer, families on reunion, young couple or holiday group.

Speaking to search team made up of travel journalists who were on tour at the resort over the weekend, the General Manager, Mr. Paul Kavanagh, said that the resort provides accommodation in the form of African round huts and chalets on stilts maximising the breathtaking views. Obudu Mountain Resort also offers self-contained suites varying in size from the 2-bedroom Governor’s Lodge with its own lounge and dining room and kitchenette to the 20 Mountain Villas, each with three bedrooms, lounge, dining room, kitchenette and balcony.

Kavanagh stated that everything at the Resort have been carefully put in place to meet up with international standard, adding that  the food and beverage offering is found in the Terrace Restaurant and Bar with a cosy and relaxing atmosphere made complete by the blazing log fire. National and international cuisine is guaranteed to suit all tastes and the healthy appetites from a day’s nature walk or round of golf.

The former Obudu Cattle Ranch offers a fully-equipped gym, two floodlit tennis courts, a squash court and a natural swimming pool. Keen golfers can show their prowess on the hotel’s 9-hole golf course.

The general manager stated that the major talking point for guests is Africa’s longest cable car system. At 4 kilometres, Obudu Mountain Resort cable car gently transfers guests (and their bags) from the tropical climate at the base of the mountain right to the hotel’s reception area on the mountainside which is often in the clouds and is accompanied by an invigorating drop in temperature.

The tourist, he said, will have the opportunity to view the magnificent scenery and spectacular birdlife which are a must for the visitors who come to this part of the world and these tourists can be taken on foot or on bicycle. For those who forgot to pack binoculars, the Canopy Walkway which is situated in the trees allows visitors thrilling close-ups of the birds in their natural habitat high above the ground.

Obudu Mountain Resort, best place to be

Nigeria is endowed with massive tourism potentials, both natural and man-made. Each state of the federation has its own tourism potentials that could be developed to improve the tourism industry, turning it into revenue generating venture for the local communities and the nation as a whole.

However, out of these hundreds of tourism endowments, there is a search for seven that would serve as tourism icons for Nigeria. These are the Naija Seven Wonders and the search is on to unveil them.

The search team, made up of academics, professional tourism practitioners and travel journalists is to choose the best of tourism endowments of Nigeria either natural or man-made and then come up with a most-seen sites.

The visit to the short listed sites was to have a first hand assessment. The other 50 sites will also be visited by the team before pruning them down further until the final Naija Seven are chosen.

The Obudu Mountain Resort (Formerly Obudu Cattle Ranch) is one of the nominated tourist sites in Cross River State which offers the leisure seeker and the conference goer a complete contrast. Not only in its temperate climate but also its exciting and different location.

Nestling at the top of the mountain, the Obudu Mountain Resort is situated on a plateau at 1576 metres above sea level on the Oshie Ridge of the Sankwala Mountains. The temperate climate offers a total contrast and welcome respite from Africa’s tropical heat. Idyllic tranquillity, beautiful scenery and breathtaking views make it ideal for the lone adventurer, families on reunion, young couple or holiday group.

Speaking to search team made up of travel journalists who were on tour at the resort over the weekend, the General Manager, Mr. Paul Kavanagh, said that the resort provides accommodation in the form of African round huts and chalets on stilts maximising the breathtaking views. Obudu Mountain Resort also offers self-contained suites varying in size from the 2-bedroom Governor’s Lodge with its own lounge and dining room and kitchenette to the 20 Mountain Villas, each with three bedrooms, lounge, dining room, kitchenette and balcony.

Kavanagh stated that everything at the Resort have been carefully put in place to meet up with international standard, adding that  the food and beverage offering is found in the Terrace Restaurant and Bar with a cosy and relaxing atmosphere made complete by the blazing log fire. National and international cuisine is guaranteed to suit all tastes and the healthy appetites from a day’s nature walk or round of golf.

The former Obudu Cattle Ranch offers a fully-equipped gym, two floodlit tennis courts, a squash court and a natural swimming pool. Keen golfers can show their prowess on the hotel’s 9-hole golf course.

The general manager stated that the major talking point for guests is Africa’s longest cable car system. At 4 kilometres, Obudu Mountain Resort cable car gently transfers guests (and their bags) from the tropical climate at the base of the mountain right to the hotel’s reception area on the mountainside which is often in the clouds and is accompanied by an invigorating drop in temperature.

The tourist, he said, will have the opportunity to view the magnificent scenery and spectacular birdlife which are a must for the visitors who come to this part of the world and these tourists can be taken on foot or on bicycle. For those who forgot to pack binoculars, the Canopy Walkway which is situated in the trees allows visitors thrilling close-ups of the birds in their natural habitat high above the ground.

‘Tourism contributes 18% to The Gambia’s GDP'

The Gambia Tourism industry has grown to be one of the biggest in Africa. In this interview with Austin Jacobson, the chairman of The Gambia Hotel Association, Mr. Alieu Secka explains how the industry has been the mainstay of The Gambia’s economy. Excerpts:

What potentials exist in The Gambia as regards tourism?

For over the fifty years, The Gambia has being regarded as tourism paradise by mainly Europeans and an emerging potential market from Africa.

The Gambia tourism is well recognized before now but in the last few years we are trying to ensure that what our guests from elsewhere have been enjoying is also brought to the doorstep of our African brothers and sisters particularly Nigerians.

We feel that there is a lot more potential and lot more that we can discover from each other in our tourism attractions, culture, costume, fashion and designs, foods and nature; so really, what has been appreciated by Europeans is what we would like  Africans to enjoy because I think we have a better appreciation of this.

In the last two years tourism in The Gambia has grown astronomically, especially in economic terms and Gambia has benefited immensely from the tourism industry, what is the cause of the upsurge in the tourism industry?

There are many reasons for this. First is that the private sector believes very much in the tourism sector in The Gambia. Also the government through the Gambia Tourism Authorities is very good partners in tourism.

Really, once the government and the policymakers drive the policies that will take tourism onward and you have investors who also have interest to work together, that is the formula for success.

There are also other formulas particularly, as you noted, the Gambia tourism products contribute 18 per cent  to the GDP of the country  and one that can grow even more.

Recently, we talked about rebranding of the Gambia so that people, including Nigerians will recognize The Gambia even more as a tourism paradise. We are happy to say that we are working with a Nigerian company in that direction.

So when we talk about moving the tourism industry from 18 per cent GDP to above 25 per cent in the next few years, we know we can make it. And Nigeria with a population of over 150 million, with much potential and only few three hours away, we want to work actively to see how we can promote the Gambia and the Nigerian market.

Tourism encompasses a lot of superb infrastructure, and currently African market is competing with the European market and other emerging markets, what are the infrastructure on ground in the Gambia that visitors across the world will love to see?

The Gambia over the last 40 years has done a lot on infrastructure tourism. We have a world class product like the Sheraton, the Cocoa Hotel, one of the best hotels in Africa and the Carrabas and addition to the basic and few two stars and three stars products.

So in terms of hotel facilities, we have more than adequate facilities to take care of all classes of clienteles. There are other facilities such as road transport facilities, car hire, grand hand log, coaches and local tour operators.

All these have being put in place to ensure that our travellers, whatever they seek in terms of facilities, will be met. Then again, talking about attractions, such as hotels, there is also peace and security in the country, nice fashions and fabrics for African tourism development.

Tourism is a product that brings success to everybody, it creates employment and it’s the biggest employer in Gambia, it creates selling opportunity to traders, mostly foodstuff sellers, to fuel stations, electricity companies and tax collectors the benefit of tourism is all around.

So if any investor is coming to the Gambia we gladly welcome him because it will improve the economy and be of benefit to everyone including the investor.

Looking at tourism in Africa and especially the Gambia, where do you see the Gambia tourism market and Africa in the next five to ten years?

We have a very active policy and we are working actively through the media to promote the Gambia so that those that have benefited from knowing the Gambia in the last 50 years elsewhere can also share the same experience with Nigerians.

We are actively working, and Akwaaba is one of such forum to realize this objective to network with the stakeholders. Again we have just started a new product called, the “Good Gambia, Go Discover Gambia.” It is unique and refreshing so we hope it will create more awareness about Gambia’s unique experiences and its product in the tourism and leisure businesses.

So all these policies are to ensure that it is not just today but it continues so that everybody continues to hear about the good things that are happening in the Gambia.

Is there any security back-up for investors in the Gambia?

The Gambia government has clearly stated in its policy that it is a strict private sector-led economy and that it strives on it.

Recently it set up the Gambia investment and export promotion agency, which actively promotes a one-step sloop to ensure that investors who want to come to Gambia can receive all the question and answers that they required from that agency, but overall the economy itself and all the other sectors that can support the government infrastructure and support who ever comes into the Gambia, either you have question in economic policies, guaranties an access to whatever you require, it is available.

Talk about assurances for investment, Gambia is a signatory to the multi-lateral international guarantee agreement, so everybody’s investment is secured in the Gambia in this regard.

Today we have several Nigerian banks like Access, PHB, zenith and many more operating in Gambia. That is an evidence that Africa is now investing more inward rather than always going outside and that’s what we need to nature.

Stakeholders must promote Akwaaba — Sadiq Mohammed, Tourism Minister  

Written by Austin Jacobson   

Since Alhaji Sadiq Abubakar Mohammed became the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation,   government has been trying to facilitate the participation of Nigeria in various international events and the expansion of the industry. In this interview with AUSTIN JACOBSON at AKWAABA 2010, the minister shed more light on the issue.

EXCERPTS:

What is your impression about this event?

My impression is that it’s a serious business that is organized by serious people to promote tourism in Africa, and my assessment is that they have done very well. So, we need to encourage them because they are promoting us. I urge stakeholders to support the fair and ensure that it grows bigger and bigger from within the continent and outside. Clearly, we know that Africa has the potential to be the destination of choice and that is what this fair is all about. I encourage them to continue to do more, and we will continue to support them as government, and stakeholders and do what is required now.

Is there any special role government is playing to make the fair better?

We will facilitate the participation of other stakeholders. Countries and governments are willing to do more. We will continue to do more of the organizing to improve in the concept. We are also ready to give them all the support they desire to expand the scope and involve more participants. I use this opportunity to urge African countries and people who are interested in Africa to come forward to support this fair so that it will grow and make Africa one the best destinations in the world.

Since your assumption of office, are there structures that you have put on ground to encourage private sector participants?

There are sufficient laws on ground, government is improving on the infrastructure and is doing more to create and enabling environment for tourism to thrive. What remains is for those in the private sector to come in and leverage on this to develop the potentials that are found within the country.

As a minister, what do you think the organizers of this event need to improve upon?

First, identify the real people in the sector. We need more participants from across Africa since it is an African affair. We have to be able to identify people who have invested deeply in the sector. Also, we need to bring out the potentials so that people who come around here will be able to see what they can invest in.

Abuja Carnival and NAFEST seem to be the same thing, are there things you can do to have a singular product?

I disagree, NAFEST concept is not the same with Abuja Carnival. NAFEST started long time ago and it is for a few artists who are normally known, and its content is to promote culture, which are not included in Abuja Carnival. We can’t have one carnival in Nigeria, we are a rich country we are suppose to promote our culture and what we posses, so if you think NAFEST alone can promote Nigeria’s culture then I think we have a problem. If you go round the world to the countries that are populated like Nigerias, there is no way you can stage one festival and think it will promote our rich culture.