Sunday 22 March 2020
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Travel
Goge Africa looks back at 20 years of promoting tourism, culture OBINNA EMELIKE
…partners AGN on further promotions
I
n 1999, a couple, Isaac and Nneka Moses set out on a journey in the Nigerian tourism and culture landscape. They launched out with Goge Africa, their flagship project and brand with the vision of becoming a world class brand encompassing the African culture and tourism. They also wanted Goge Africa to be the number one mirror and window to Africa’s heritage. Two decades down the line, the couple looks back with fulfillment as their smiles keep igniting Africa. For them, 20 years of Goge Africa has been rewarding. It is dotted with many travels and experiences. For the 20 years, Goge travelled over 3,500,000 kilometers across over 30 African countries, as well as, four continents to reach out to African Diasporas. Also, the 20 years in business, saw Goge Africa connecting over 100,000 happy tourists to Africa, reached out to over 50 million homes while promoting African tourism and culture. Moreover, its television programme, which showcases best of tourism attractions, cultural heritage and events across the country and Africa, has been rated top among tourism and culture lovers with the insights it offers to intending tourists. As expected, Goge Africa is rolling out drums to celebrate its 20 years anniversary amid a lineup of several exciting activities. One of them is the 20 MustVisit Destinations. The project, which is in partnership with Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, and Federal Ministry of Transportation, NIHOTOUR, NFVCB, National Arts Theatre, is supported by Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), state governments, discerning corporate brands, among others who are locking into the opportunity to add value through the Goge platform. In line with the 20 Must-Visit
Destinations, Goge Africa is also forming strategic partnership with Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to promote tourism in Nigeria and Africa. The partnership is the not the first time as Goge Africa and AGN have been in the forefront of promoting the best of Nigeria’s culture and tourism potentials in the last two decades. As well, both organisations have been great ambassadors of Nigeria through their related and laudable positive representations within and outside the continent of Africa. Explaining the rationale for the partnership, Goge Africa’s management affirmed there is need for the private sector to intervene strategically and timely, towards the diversification of Nigeria’s economy, especially now and through tourism, which is unarguably, the lowest hanging fruit in economy diversification. Speaking during a media parley to announce activities for the 20th anniversary celebration, Moses explained that Goge Africa is embarking on the search for 20 destinations that are must-visit to discover and promote them for people
to visit the destinations for tourism purposes, which would consequently impact the local economies and country’s GDP in the long run. While on the search, Goge Africa team hopes to spotlight each destination on NTA and 15 other television channels within and outside Nigeria. The spotlight through TV series is carefully conceptualized to project the best of Africa’s cultural
heritage, her people, tourism potential and opportunities for investment, at every location mapped out as a must-visit. “It is an opportunity to celebrate our heritage, abundant natural resources and human capital”, Goge Africa said. Aside bolstering the tourism sector into becoming a key economic factor, the TV series is expected to also feature interviews with the executive governors of
select states to speak on plans for the state and incentives for interested investors in specific areas of the state’s economy. “This project is a great opportunity to highlight diverse peoples, cultures, heritage and investment opportunities to a world audience. We have signed up online to host #20MustVisitDestinations for the whole world to see. Asides the English version, we have concluded plans to translate the series into French, Chinese and Hausa languages”, Moses explained. Another programme lineup for the celebration is tourism training and workshop tagged Tourism 101 Immersive Class for 50 interested and passionate tourism entrepreneurs. The workshop hopes to drill participants in areas such as; becoming a 21st century tourism entrepreneur, tour packaging and marketing, successful tour guide, hospitality management skills, financial literacy, among others. However, some activities have been completed too. The photo, arts, video, fashion and writing contest, which pulled huge numbers of participants, was successfully completed, as the platform discovered, rewarded and motivated some of the abundant talents in arts, media and tourism. At the media parley, the Goge Africa management also pointed that the year-long celebrations began in October 2019 with the Anniversary Luxury Cruise, where a good number of high networth Nigerians, Africans at home and in diaspora, sailed on one of the world’s biggest and most luxurious cruise liners, from Miami, USA to Haiti, Mexico and Jamaica. For those who missed it, Goge promised another experience with its next luxury cruise in October 2020, which is as one of the closing chapters in the 20th anniversary specials. It is of note that the20 MustVisit Destinations started last year with visits to Senegal, Benin Republic, Jamaica, Haiti and Cozumel Mexico.
Radisson Blu Anchorage beckons for unique family unwinding OBINNA EMELIKE
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ith schools closed and many working from home, it is about time to rekindle love and bolster family bond once again. Well, it is also time to seek quality couple/family outings in safe and tranquil environments. One of such places is the very modern and cozy Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, in Victoria Island, Lagos. If your concern is safety, the Radisson Hotel Group operates under some of the best health and safety policies in the global hospitality industry. But if your concern is quality offerings, the hotel knows you are on holiday and is offering the best of leisure services and facilities amid motivated personnel who ensure personal touch in their services. The hotel is also rightly located to further boost your stay. Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel sits on the bank of the beautiful Lagos Lagoon in the upscale Victoria Island. From here, guests including couples and families on holiday, this period and
Lagoon view always, can enjoy scenic views of the up-and-coming city. The luxury cruise boats, one of the evidence of the ‘affluent Lagos’, which sail to and fro on the Lagoon, also draw attention of discerning guests. Guests can also dare the waters on cruise tours, which can be arranged, after all, they are on
holiday. For the guests’ comfort, each category of the hotel’s 170 rooms and suites comes with unique allure and enduring coziness. From the breathtaking Lagos Lagoon and to the sprawling Victoria Island, the rooms come with panoramic views. You will also appreciate the investment made in upgrading the
rooms recently. There are also a number of in room entertainment activities and games for the whole family. The infinity pool offers variety to adults and children, while the play area offers the children additional fun. There is a wellness area, which lures guests to relax in the massage room, steam room and the pool. The culinary professionals who man the hotel’s kitchen are handy to offer the best delicacies no matter the palate, and presentation at the Voyage Restaurant. With that assured, this is the right time to reconnect with your family over brunch and dinner while staying in the hotel. Sunday Brunch is fantastic, and you can also linger over a light meal on the terrace at Surface Bar & Grill. But the most important thing is that the hotel offers specials for weekends, which include a dinner bed and breakfast rate. Of course, the rate is friendly with family in mind. So, leisure is up for grab at Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel and at pocket-friendly rate now because the hotel is committed to
boosting family bond, life and work balance and quality unwinding for its guests. Again, there is no lack of excitement during your stay. From live band that entertains guests amid light refreshment by the Lagoon bar, wonderful time at the pool, healthy time at the fitness centre, Spa, pedicure and manicure, among others, guests can stay forever happy and engaged while in the hotel. But for the adventurous and families that want exclusive outing on water, the hotel also offers such thrills. For exclusive trips on water, guests can take advantage of the recently launched cruise package to La Campagne Resort, a five-star African themed resort at Ikegun Ibeju Lekki, all the way on water. Like the code sharing among airlines, guests can decide to enhance their experience by sharing the stay between Radisson Blu Anchorage and La Campagne Resort. It is family holiday and the hotel urges you to make the most use of it!