YTDONigeria National and FCT Zone holds Post 2022 World Tourism Day Lecture for FCT secondary schools students on Tuesday, 1st November, 2022 at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja.

Endorsed by the FCT Secondary Education Board (FCTSEB) for 10 selected secondary schools (6 public and 4 private schools) as the pilot event and exercise for the education of the youths in schools on tourism and culture and for the formation of YTDONigeria Tourism Club in FCT public and private schools.

The event which adopts the World Tourism Day 2022 theme “RETHINKING TOURISM” with a complementary topic “Exposing the Youths to Tourism and Cultural Skills for Self Employment” is targeted at involving the youths in the global campaign to revive the sector after the COVID-19 pandemic and to encourage them to consciously embrace the many related skills and professions for the sustainability of the sector.

The National President, YTDO Nigeria, Comrade Okon Emmanuel, speaking about the development remarked that, “Young people are the future of any sector and the peak of productivity and they need to be provided with necessary information to help them obtain critical skills and a lifetime experience for their professional life. The sector offers many opportunities for both skilled and unskilled youths and is ideal for meaningful career, employment and good remuneration”, he concluded.

In his own remarks, the YTDO FCT Zonal Coordinator, Amb. (Capt.) Emmanuel Great said, “this event heralds a milestone moment since my inauguration as the FCT Zonal Coordinator for YTDO. We are taking the campaign to the Secondary Schools where it really matters. There is no better way to ensure a sustainable future for tourism in Nigeria, than to target the upcoming NextGens for a deliberate and intentional capacity building program like this”. He further stated that the YTDO FCT Zone is very proud of the newly formed partnership with the FCT Secondary Education Board, a feat which the organization will soon duplicate in all the States across Nigeria.

The lecture is supported by the China Embassy through the China Cultural Centre with other notable industry stakeholders; and it is hoped that the forthcoming and subsequent formation of YTDONigeria platforms at the school level will be supported by the relevant agencies such as National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), National Council for Art and Culture (NCAC) and the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN), Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (NTN) which one of the mandates includes youths education on tourism and culture.

The Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) FCT/Northern Zone will be hosting tourism, hospitality and travel Stakeholders during a groundbreaking round-table session and dinner at Sheraton Hotel Abuja on September 19, 2022.

Speaking at a media chat with journalists, the Vice President (FCT and Northern Zone) of the Association, Mrs Cecile Mambo Doumbe expressed delight towards the dawn of this new era that have witnessed a positive energy towards revamping the association, and placing it on the functional pedestal it once had.

Doumbe said the program is very keen for NATOP FCT/Northern Zone and the reason for the gathering of the big wigs and stalwarts of the tourism industry towards creating value for tour operators in Nigeria”

“The event will also be an avenue for Stakeholders to network, brainstorm on how to identified our market, researched the competition, developed a suitable business plan and come up with a unique brand identity for NATOP”, Doumbe stated.

The National President of the Association, Mrs Imeh Udo, stated that, she is very delighted at the prospect of the event, stating that more events, programs and activities are coming up under her new leadership, that will reshape and redesign the business of tour operations in Nigeria. You will recall that recently, the Nigeria Association of Tour Operations, NATOP came under a new administration during an elaborate AGM which held in Owerri, Imo State Nigeria in July 2022.

Notable personalities expected at the event are Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), 2022 Mr Folorunso Coker, Director General, National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, President of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr Nkereuwem Onung, among others.

Other things highlighted as key components of the event are the need for domestic tourism development where all hands must be on deck, also on inbound and outbound tourism advancement.

“There are factors deterring the growth of domestic tourism in Nigeria, and the private sector as stakeholders possesses the technical prowess to drive and fashioned a way out of it. The event is therefore aimed at providing requisite knowledge of tour operators by interaction with versed resource persons at the forum”, Doumbe concluded.

6th January, 2022

 

PRESS RELEASE: OTUNBA OLUMOKO  ELECTED AS ITPN’S ZONAL VICE PRESIDENT

The National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Chief Abiodun Odusanwo FITPN has extolled the virtues of Otunba Ayodele Olumoko as a dedicated Fellow of the Institute who has put in his very best to place the Institute on a sound footing during his official induction as the National Vice President, South West zone of ITPN.

Chief Odusanwo who made the commendation while presenting the Certificate of Office to Otunba Olumoko at the Headquarters of the Institute in Abuja on Thursday 6th January 2022, said Otunba Olumoko has been one of the founding fathers and promoters of culture and tourism in the country and whose contributions has impacted positively well on ITPN in the upliftment of its tenets and ideals for the growth of the institution.

Speaking further, Chief Odusanwo called on other members of the Institute to emulate Otunba Olumoko by remaining steadfast as it’s ambassadors in the promotion of its aims and objectives to the larger Nigerian society and importantly, to critical key players and stakeholders in the travel, tourism, culture, hospitality and creative industry as well as its allied branches.

He noted that ITPN has four major mandates which are – to develop and administer Qualifications; approve and monitor training centres and learning providers as certificate Awarding body; to provide continuous professional development for private sector operators and public service personnel and to award recognized certificates and membership for every category of staff at different levels of skills in the tourism, and allied areas of the industry.

In his acceptance speech, Otunba Olumoko said he felt highly honoured with the continuous call to professional service which according to him will spur him into offering greater and better services to the Institute in particular and the country’s travel, tourism and hospitality industry at large.

He noted that tourism, especially cultural-tourism remains, one of the country’s untapped goldmines that if properly harnessed, has the potential to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty through job provisions and employment opportunities.

Otunba Olumoko then called on all key players and stakeholders in the industry to join hands with ITPN in its efforts to enhance  professional practices and conducts of both private sector practitioners and public service personnel to enable the industry provide better quality service delivery as well as help in salvaging Nigerian economy for better growth and development.

The Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria is the Nigerian premier national certification and professional membership body for hospitality, travel-tourism and allied occupations. It represents members working in the public, private and non-profit making organizations which ensures the highest standards of professional competence of practitioners in the Nigerian tourism and hospitality industry.

 

SIGNED

 

Mallam Sheriff Abdulhamid  FITPN

National Vice President, ITPNs

Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe yesterday commended Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for declaring August 27th of every year Osun Adire for all workers in the state.

Oyetola had made the declaration in Osogbo on Saturday at the Osun International Fashion Week, making it compulsory for all public and civil servants in the state to wear the state’s variant of local adire fabric, known as “Adire Eleko” to their offices on that day as a way of reviving the dying cultural fashion of the people.

Runsewe noted that this was in line with the vision and aspirations of the Federal Government to grow and focus on indigenous cultural tourism engagements.

By Michael Oyetunji

Nigeria’s domestic tourism suffers a major setback as one of its finest educational tour attractions in Abuja, Usuma Dam puts an indefinite ban on any tour-related activity within and around its vicinity.

Lower Usman Dam is the 5th Largest Dam in the world and is on the Usuma River in Nigeria. It was built in 1990 near Abuja, the new Capital of Nigeria., and supplied the city with drinking water. The dam holds 93 million cubic meters of raw water. The water flows to five (5) water plants, where the water is treated before it is passed to Abuja. The total capacity of the water is 10,000 cubic meters per hour.

Usuma Dam once offered a picturesque scenery for picnic, hilly surroundings for hiking and a pacific mass of water body for canoeing and fishing. It is a multidimensional facility, playing host to students, researchers and fun lovers.

It was on this premise that a group of Sustainable Tourism Professionals led by Capt. Emmanuel LordsGreat, CEO at TBS Africa, visited the site very recently for a tourism and sustainability assessment programme. On arrival to the Administrative building at the site, they were greeted by the Head, R & P Department, Mrs Mary Edafe, who stated outright that the site is currently closed for any form of tourism activities.

In a briefing with the representatives, she maintained that the closure has been in effect since the covid19 lockdown and authorities have decided to keep it closed until further notice. She also highlighted, as part of the concerns, “the current security risks in the country, and how difficult it is to trust that tourists can not be bought over by unscrupulous elements in poisoning the entire water body, thus causing harm and possible death to people who consume it in and around the FCT”.

“We are not ready to take chances with our work and pledge to provide clean, safe and portable water for the city”, she remarked. “We also have had rumors that there is a porous border around the dam, so security operatives are on ground to ensure no one intrudes”.

As reasonable as these reasons sounded, it was met with a dose of disappointment in the ears of the visiting tour experts, who had wished the site is accessible for the promotion of domestic tourism. “This is a heartbreaking news for us in the tourism and sustainability industry. We don’t have much eco-tourism sites in the city, and here we are, Usuma dam is off the list”, said Captain Emmanuel, the co-ordinator of the group.

They therefore urge the Government to expedite action in tackling the incessant insecurity issues in the country, so that domestic tourism can grow beyond bounds. The recent pandemic has made outbound tourism an almost impossible venture for frequent travelers, but looking inward for consolation have not been encouraging for the travel and tourism industry.

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Michael Oyetunji, a tour operator and media professional writes from Abuja as the Editor-in-Chief of The Winepress Station, and the convener of Travel Writers Forum, Nigeria.

By Michael Oyetunji

Mpape crushed rock, one of Abuja’s finest attractions for picnic and other recreational activities is currently under threat of insecurity and harassment of fun lovers. According to a recent experience by some sustainable tourism experts and SDG advocates who visited the site to mark the 2021 International Earth Day, hoodlums have taken over the entire space to harass and extort unsuspecting visitors.

In Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Mpape crushed rock is a major tourist site, which initially was a quarry site from where building stones were being supplied. After a while, site workers struck an aquifer: an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, and it was closed down. But in recent times, Mpape crushed rock became a popular site for Abuja residents due to the beautiful scenery of lake and high cliff it affords, for hiking and picnic purposes.

However, not much is left to be desired of the site as the vicinity now harbors criminal minds and hoodlums who harass unsuspecting visitors and threaten to harm them. It was gathered that a team of sustainable tourism experts and SDG advocates, who visited to the site to conduct a tourism & sustainability assessment in commemoration of the 2021 International Day of the Earth at the site, escaped by a hairs breadth as hoodlums launched an assault on their convoy after ripping them off monies.

Speaking with the coordinator of the team, Captain Emmanuel LordsGreat, CEO, TBS Africa, “we were eager to have fun and celebrate nature, based on the wonderful stories we heard of the Mpape Crushed site, and I in particular was very elated to physically see this wonderful site which I have seen so much in pictures”, he stated. Another participant, who pleaded anonymity also confirmed that they paid their way through to the site by some funny looking guys who claimed to be the security of the environment, but were harassed by another set of hoodlums, and finally chased away by another batch of miscreants.

“Such a scenario, as we witnessed yesterday, is not good for the sustainability of domestic tourism, seeing the potentials such a site has to offer”, said Captain LordsGreat. “Coincidentally, we came here to conduct a tourism sustainability assessment of the site, so we will be publishing a detailed report of our sustainability outlook for this place in the coming days. Government needs to secure this site, and make it safe for visitors, as we don’t have much of such places in the FCT. Tourists should not be subjected to such extortion, fear or harassment.”

Upon further investigation and speaking with some officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency, who pleaded anonymity, it was gathered that after conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), it has been recommended that the site be closed. According to the EIA, the crushed rock site which was used for quarry and mining activities in the past poses a safety risk to tourists, as well as residents of the area due to possible tectonic land shifts which could cause possible dangers to tourist and settlers alike.

Tourism as we believe, is life. It becomes the opposite when insecurity of lives is involved. The tourism sector therefore calls on appropriate authorities to look into the situation and save the environment, thus ensuring the safety of other visitors in the near future.

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Michael Oyetunji, a tour operator and media professional writes from Abuja as the Editor-in-Chief of The Winepress Station
info.winepress@gmail.com
080 9770 7844

TBS Africa, an eco-tourism, tourism4sdgs and sustainability advocacy platform with the mission to promote and run advocacies for eco-friendly & SDG-compliant travel & tourism in Africa has officially joined the UNWTO Global Rural Tourism Startup Competition through her Clean & Green Tourism Campaign”.

The “Clean & Green Tourism Campaign” for Africa which was recently launched as an initiative targeted at identifying eco-tourism sites and attractions in Africa for deliberate, intentional and intelligent “Clean & Green Tourism with SDG Action” activity-based advocacy. TBS

TBS Africa, will be joining the global competition in the second category: Planet – building back better – with focus on projects related to the promotion and protection of natural resources, namely the mitigation of the impact of tourism on waste, energy and water in rural areas.

The UNWTO Global Rural Tourism Startup Competition seeks to source new startups and entrepreneurs that advance the contribution of tourism to rural development and support recovery.

Creating opportunities in Rural Destinations through innovation and digital transformation in tourism to:

  • Fighting poverty: 80% of all people living in ‘extreme poverty’ live in rural communities.
  • Curbing depopulation: By 2050 68% of the world population will live in urban areas and cities will produce 85% of global economic output.
  • Closing the Digital Divide – 87 per cent of people in developed countries used the Internet, compared with just 19 per cent in the least developed countries.
  • Supporting Women and Youth– More that 50% of global workforce employed in tourism are women and nearly 1 billion of the world’s 1.2 billion youth aged 15-24 reside in developing countries and 88% of youth in developing countries live in rural areas; 75 million of them are unemployed.

1. BENEFITS

  • Mentoring by UNWTO and top partners
  • Tailored support for your startup
  • Investment opportunities
  • Form part of the UNWTO Innovation Network
  • Form part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages of the World Pilot Initiative
  • Scholarship opportunities for the Tourism Online Academy
  • Opportunity to present your startup at the 14th UNWTO General Assembly in Marrakech Morocco

 

2. CALENDAR

Launch:

6 April

Deadline to submit candidatures:

1 July

Announcement of finalists:

15 August

Final pitch session and announcement of winners:

October

 

3. CATEGORIES:

people

People – Leaving no one behind

Projects that incentivize the creation of jobs and opportunities, promote gender and youth empowerment, build opportunities for vulnerable groups in rural areas.

 

planet

Planet – building back better

Projects related to the promotion and protection of natural resources, namely the mitigation of the impact of tourism on waste, energy and water in rural areas.

 

prosperity

Prosperity – opportunities for growth

Startups that provide innovative solutions through new business models, instruments that promote access to finance, markets and marketing for tourism in rural areas.

 

propulsion

Propulsion of Rural Tech – Implementation of new technologies

Deep Tech – startups implementing new technologies to advance tourism and development in rural areas.

 

4. THE CHALLENGE:

Closer

Closer

Domestic tourism has shown positive signs in many markets since people tend to travel closer. Travellers go for ‘staycations‘ or vacations close to home.

 

New concerns

New concerns

Health & Safety measures and cancellation policies are consumers’ main concerns.

 

Get away

Get away

Nature, Rural Tourism and Road Trips have emerged as popular travel choices due to travel limitations and the quest for open-air experiences.

 

Last minute

Last minute

Last-minute bookings have increased due to volatility of pandemic-related events and the travel restrictions.

 

Change in demographics
Younger travellers most resilient
Change in demographics:
travel recovery has been stronger among younger segments. ‘Mature’ travellers and retirees will be the most impacted segments.
More responsible
More responsible
Sustainability, authenticity and localhood:
travellers have been giving more importance to creating a positive impact on local communities, increasing looking for authenticity.

Tourism has proven to be a tool for economic diversification and a major employment engine with a multiplier effect on other sectors that contribute to rural development. Tourism in rural areas can particularly benefit traditionally disadvantaged groups such as women – who make up 54% of the workforce in the tourism sector compared to 39% for the overall economy.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered rising interest from tourists looking for new experiences based around natural and rural areas in the open air, far from congested settings. This, combined with the already rising demand for more authentic experiences that over stronger engagement with local communitiestheir culture and products, such as local OR traditional gastronomy, etc., as well as demand for a greener approach in all stages of the travel experience opens up immense opportunities for the economic, social and environmental revitalization of rural areas through tourism.

The current crisis has also emphasized the importance of building resilience among communities in those rural areas which rely on tourism. This implies better social protection and benefits-sharing among communities, as well as economic diversification and the broadening of tourism products and markets through added value experiences. To achieve this, investment, skills development and education, access to finance, infrastructure development, digital transformation, sustainable development, impact assessment, improved governance and women’s empowerment should be placed at the heart of the recovery plans for tourism in rural communities. This will help support them as they navigate the crisis and build back better for people and planet.

Oyo State government has expressed shock over the death of the National President of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Saleh Kareem Rabo, who died over the weekend and has been buried according to Islamic rites.

The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun disclosed this on Monday in a Press release made available to newsmen, describing the late Rabo as a team player and a great contributor to the success of building the tourism sector in Nigeria.

Olatubosun hinted that the contributions of the deceased in making tourism and an alternative revenue generation option outside petroleum in the country would be sorely missed.

“Unto every human, there is death, but we pray the Lord Almighty to repose the spirit of late Alhaji Saleh Kareem Rabo, who has contributed so much towards uplifting the tourism industry.

“His life and death should be a big lesson to us all that we are all tourists in this world, whatever we do, wherever we go and whoever we meet will be the imprint or mark that we shall leave to history to judge us.”

Olatubosun called on FTAN members in Oyo State and Nigeria to uphold the lofty ideals that the late President of the association believed in and work aassiduosly towards achieving the goal of the positioning tourism as a viable industry and an alternative to oil and gas in Nigeria.


Nigeria’s Tourism Industry loses a Great Icon as Alhaji Rabo Saleh takes a bow

By Michael Oyetunji | 06:30pm

The Nigerian tourism industry mourns the death of one of its icon, Alhaji Rabo Saleh, who until his death was the President of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN). He died in the early hours of Friday, 16th April, 2021 at his residence in Abuja. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites at Gudu Cemetery, Abuja.

As the news broke within the industry, many are still left in shock as to what could have happened to the man who was applauded as one of the finest that walked the streets of Nigeria’s tourism sphere. Friends and associates were left amazed at his sudden departure.

Members of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA – Abuja Zone), thronged the home of the late tourism icon, who was an erstwhile National Vice President of same association (2012-2016). His goodness and humility were the major points of applause given to the departed stalwart.

L-R: Amb. Kayode Adeshola, V.P NANTA Abuja, Alhaji Musali Dantata, Former NANTA & FTAN President, and Capt Emmanuel Great, Founder & CEO, TBS International ably represented NANTA & FTAN Family LIVE this morning onground from the house of Alhaji Saleh Rabo today!

Speaking at the burial site, the National President of NANTA, Mrs Susan Akporiaye, who handed over the baton to Late Alhaji Rabo at the zonal level could not control her tears while speaking with journalists; she expressed her shock as to how such a good man could die just at the peak of his career.

“Alhaji Rabo brought finesse and integrity to the travel and tourism industry, and I served with him as a Secretary of the association while he was the National Vice President. He was a father figure to me”, says Ambassador Kayode Adeshola, the current Vice President of NANTA – Abuja Zone.

The National President, NANTA, Madam Susan Akporiaye in mournful mood with other industry women onground at the burial!

Many dignitaries were present at the burial to pay their last respects to the departed tourism giant, who they believed had more to offer to the industry before death came calling. His death, as many agreed, has left an irreplaceable gap in the industry, due to his humility.

L-R: Capt Emmanuel Great, Founder & CEO, TBS International with Amb. Kayode Adeshola, V.P NANTA Abuja and other NANTA members on ground for the burial which held at Gudu Cemetery for Late Alhaji Saleh Rabo, National President, FTAN.

Alhaji Rabo was praised by many as a very humble and approachable man who does not flaunt his pedigree as a seasoned tourism professional from his university days. He was taunted as a potential minister of tourism due to his tourism-based educational profile. He will be sorely missed by all.

May his humble soul rest in perfect peace.

______________________

Michael Oyetunji writes from Abuja as the Editor-in-Chief of The Winepress Station
info.winepress@gmail.com
080 9770 7844

As a show of solidarity with the UNWTO’s #RestartTourism advocacy, TBS Africa, a partnership-based eco-tourism advocacy platform  for Africa has launched the #RestartTourismAfrica, #RecoverTourismAfrica and #RecoverTourismTogether Campaigns targeted specifically as a support initiative for the tourism private sector in Africa.

According to UNWTO, Tourism has the potential to lead sustainable #recovery of societies post #COVID19. International coordination and standards play a crucial role in ensuring tourism’s return. With dialogue, political will and economic support the tourism sector will take off.

At TBS Africa, we strongly believe that restoring the confidence of the African traveller in visiting and exploring African destinations regionally and domestically is our priority for the restart of tourism in Africa  – while keeping tourists and tourism workers SAFE. However, achieving this requires the collaborative support of all actors in the tourism private sector, as well as Governments and host communities.

According to Capt. Emmanuel Great, CEO, TBS Africa and Convener of the Africa Aviation, Tourism & Hospitality Post-Covid19 Recovery Webinar 2020, “the #RestartTourismAfrica initiative is a brainer from the conclusions and recommendations garnered from the “Africa Day Edition” of the Post-covid19 Webinar series last year organized by TBS International. During this particular edition, all parties agreed that all tourism actors must focus on marketing & promoting African destinations to Africans and the world post-covid19 as a tool for harnessing the economic and social benefits tourism can bring for Africa”.

Remember that earlier last year, on April 16, 2020, just three (3) weeks into the lockdown, and in response to the quagmire of challenges facing the Tourism Industry in Africa caused by the Covid19 pandemic, TBS International became the first tourism organization in Nigeria to launch the “Covid19 Recovery Webinar Series” for the Tourism Industry in Africa tagged, “AVIATION, TOURISM & HOSPITALITY POST-COVID19 RECOVERY WEBINARS”, which held once a week for eight (8) consecutive weeks with panelists and audiences spanning across Africa & the Middle East including Government Agencies, Airlines, Hotel Chains, DMCs, DMOs, Tour Operators, Travel Agencies, as well as eminent Presidents, DGs & CEOs of Tourism Boards across Africa.

Supporting the strong community of the tourism private sector in Africa as well as millions of livelihoods that depend on tourism means building a sustainable and responsible travel experience in Africa that is safe for African host communities, workers and travelers alike.

In his continued remarks , the CEO, TBS Africa, who is an experienced aviation and tourism consultant, a “Tourism4SDGs Advocate” and Member, Institute for Tourism Professionals, ITPN, reiterated that, “the tourism industry in Africa continues to grapple with recovery while businesses are keeping up the fight for survival, but let’s not forget that tourism will recover and we will #BounceBackTogether.

“In the coming weeks, we shall be rolling out the schedule of specific tasks and activities to promote the campaign. Therefore, we solicit the contributions, suggestions, personal stories, challenges and active participation of all industry stakeholders, professionals, and governments. They are very much needed and we will make sure all active participants in this campaign will be unequivocally celebrated”.

To actively participate in this campaign and join the conversation, kindly use the below hash tags on all social media channels:

#RestartTourismAfrica
#RecoverTourismAfrica
#RecoverTourismTogether

Also, make sure to join the #RestartTourism Community here at –>> #RestartTourism WhatsApp Group

You may want to contact the Convener at africa@tourismtbs.com or +234 90 2919 3934 to learn more about how to participate.

 

Written By:

TBS Africa #RestartTourism Team

______________________________________________________

Note For Editors:

Tourism Business Synergies (TBS) International is a partnership-based travel, tourism and hospitality training, consulting, support & advocacy organization, serving a large clientele of travel & tourism private sector businesses in Nigeria and Africa. TBS International is recognized by NANTA & ITPN in Nigeria, the African Travel & Tourism Association, ATTA in Africa and the Sustainable mPACT, Sweden, Europe.

TBS Africa, a sub-division of TBS International, is an eco-tourism, tourism4sdgs and sustainability advocacy platform for Africa, with the mission to promote and run advocacies for eco-friendly & SDG-compliant travel & tourism in Africa.