Tourism: Dark spots and others

United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Ethics on global tourism and travel promotes the need to guide and provide relevant information to tourists and travelers without let. Apart from frowning at immigration formalities that Clogs free flow of movement of people from one nation to another (as long as one meets all travel inventories), UNWTO also comes hard on reports or reporters (Journalists, Tour Operators, Police, Hospitality Operators etc) who deliberately hide or leave out “Correct” information about a place of visit or location to intending travelers.

Though the global tourism organization hardly enforces this code of ethics as evident in most foreign countries particularly the superpowers of United Kingdom and United States, brazenly and at will rolling out “Travel Advisory” reports to their citizen to avoid places and nations that allegedly harbor potential risk factors and or dark spots such as Kidnapping, Violent Crime, Prostitution, drug haven, civil interest and socio political distress.

Unfortunately, the use of advisory reports or Travel alerts by most countries have been politicized to the extent that any country not too comfortable with any government, people or leadership can wake up with travel alerts or advisory reports to rubbish perceived “enemy” nation that ordinarily is doing well. Anyway, as much as most African nations bear the brunt of these red alerts, we chose in this piece today to expose some black spots across Africa, particularly in Nigeria and we hope the travelling public, visitors and the security agencies, would watch out and be careful. There is no doubt that crime all over the world is on the increase but the movement of people from one point to another, within or outside remains the only positive check against enemies of human interaction and peaceful relationship socially, politically and economically.

GO SOUTH AFRICA AND BE ROBBED

South Africa apart from the negative tag of being Xenophobic is now also a home land of daylight robbery and attacks against visitors and tourists. If you think we are economic with the truth, when next you visit in South Africa, just pick up any taxi cab and get initiated into robbery gift. If you are still in doubt, make sure you get across to Nigeria Embassy in South Africa to get firsthand information on how not to move around in South Africa.

Ambassador Uche Ajulu Okeke, Nigeria Counsel – General in South Africa, had alerted Nigerians who wish to come to South Africa to watch out when they arrives “Oliver Thambo Airport”. The South Africa robbery gangs who work from inside this airport tails your taxi and get you “booked” on the wrong side of South Africa. And at the time of this report, the South Africa Tourism office in Lagos and those who promote tourism in South Africa, have nothing to offer in explanation. Do not say we didn’t warn you. Visit and tour Nigeria instead. 

SUDDEN DEATH IN SOUTH SUDAN

Those who trade in Oil and the downstream sectors should beware of visiting South Sudan. This oil rich and newest nation in the world is a mix ground of wealth and instant death. South Sudan is therefore a place to avoid for anyone who want to live long at least for now.

KIDNAPPING AND PROSTITUTION, PAY PER SECOND IN CRS

As the economic meltdown bites harder, Cross-River State, notable for its peace, tourism carnival fame and tranquility seems to have joined dark spot ranking in Nigeria. There is no day that passes without reports of Kidnapping and juvenile sex crime being recorded. It is now pay per second for kidnapping, daylight robbery and sex crime in Calabar and the environments, a development that may affect visitor’s traffic to the State for its yearly carnival and tourism projects. A visibly disturbed governor Ayade recently embarked on a show of force (Shakara) a security walk with top state crime busters to put fear in the supposedly amused terror gangs in the state who replied the governor the next day with more daring attacks against the citizen and their visitors.

NAIRA SLUMP GAIN TO DOMESTIC TOURISM?

Vice President and Chairman of Nigeria’s economic group, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo believes that the slump in the value of Naira will attract more foreign and Local investment in tourism and the services industry. He however did not explain the measures in place to assure investors of taking their gains out of the country and Sundry multiple economic taxation mix ups. On general crime and rising incidence of kidnapping all over the country, Prof. Osinbajo since he does not fall into the rank of potential threat victim(s), also failed to highlight the development as a major drawback to the naira slump gain.

KOGI STATE; THE KIDNAPPING BUSINESS CENTRE

North Central State of Kogi has become the Centre piece of traveler’s night mare. The state which booms on revenue from the service sector as most transport operators and travelers to Abuja and most part of the north must pass through it or as a stopover, had became a poaching ground for Kidnappers and day light robbers. The security agencies seems to be over stretched by daily reports of crime on Kogi highways which may soon force out business from the cash strapped state. 

IS PRESIDENT BUHARI READY FOR TOURISM?

There is no doubt that tourism remains the only business that could help Nigeria rebound fast and also attract international attention. It is indeed to the credit of former President Obasanjo who from 1999, went beyond the swan song of tourism as preferred sector to crown it as the only business that enjoyed full presidential attention with governors in full attendance. Under Jonathan, Presidential Council on Tourism (PCT) was deleted and had remained “dead”. However, we heard that Lai Mohammed, our tourism minister is about write his name in gold as the man who brought life back to PCT, that is if president Buhari would agree to listen and play host to governors in Nigeria who Lia Mohammed intends to reform as tourism and culture business apostles.