October 04, (THEWILL) – Laguna Travels and Tours Services Limited has declared its commitment to enhancing collaboration with the management of Sarova Hotels & Resorts in ensuring that the development of domestic tourism receives the required visibility.
This was disclosed by the Managing Director of Laguna Travels and Tours Services Limited, Ms Ogugua Anobili, at a recent gathering of tour practitioners last week in Black Diamond Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Laguna Travels and Tours forum provided industry practitioners with significant information regarding Sarova and Kenya to facilitate client sales.
Speaking of the partnership style with Kenya-based hospitality companies, Anobili noted that the bilateral ties focus on the promotion of domestic tourism. She stressed that Laguna Travels and Tours represents Sarova in Nigeria, a densely populated country with more than two million people.
“The presentations offer a better understanding of the brand and give experiences that are available to enhance the tour operators’ knowledge of Sarova and Kenya to make it easy to sell to their clients.
“As a travel and tour consultant, we are brand ambassadors for Sarova Hotels and Resorts, offering excellent rates and a unique view of Kenya,” she added.
Anobili highlighted the importance of selling products and the bilateral relationship between the two countries, noting that such would encourage the growth of tourism across the region. She hinted that Laguna, a travel and consulting firm, has been strategically working with Sarova for two years.
“I used the hotels as a venue for my birthday celebrations. Nigeria’s tour operators recently promoted domestic tourism through the Akwaaba Travel Expo, which attracted 70 African countries and some of their citizens. The activities of outbound tourists from Kenya, Gambia, and Tanzania significantly impact Nigeria’s gross domestic product”, she added.
Acknowledging the operators’ involvement in the recently concluded Africa Travel Expo, she noted: “We are promoting both outbound and inbound tourism. We discussed business with exhibitors and created strategic synergy between countries.
“As members of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators, as a registered and licensed company, we aim to promote Nigerian destinations, offering both inbound and outbound tours, cruises, and tours around Lagos.
“Nigeria is generally safe, with a growing number of means of transportation, including skylines, waterways, roads, and air. Visitors often complain about high insecurity, but upon arrival, their perception changes. Operators include marketers, distributors, and consumers, contributing to the country’s peaceful environment
“Nigerians should project their country’s image to attract investors and adventurers and avoid de-marketing indigenous content. The country has festivals like Calabar Carnival, Durbar, and Osun-Osogbo.”
Anobili said the forthcoming Ipada Carnival will boost inbound tourism. The carnival, she said, will improve the potential of culture tourism, featuring performances by Afrobeat singers such as Davido and Wizkid.
“We are working with Sarova to highlight their beautiful golf courses, which are some of the best in Africa. With a large golfer base, we can create tournaments for non-golfers, such as beach tournaments at Mombasa Beach or La Campagne Tropicana,” Anobili said.
She said in an effort to promote golf and golfing, the Nigeria Polo Club hosted Kenyans in August, adding that Nigerians are going to Kenya in October.
Regional Sales Manager of Sarova Hotels and Resorts, Mr. Steve Biko, described the host travel experts as the driving force for promoting the Sarova Hotels and Resorts brand.
Biko explained that the project is extending the localised rates to Nigerians, offering tailor-made gastronomy experiences and food aiming to attract them to Kenya for collaboration.
Special air flight rates have been extended to encourage booking flights and educational trips to Kenya, allowing tour operators to fully experience the local culture and experiences.
According to him, Laguna Tours has established a successful partnership, providing valuable market insights and support to achieve goals and build a brand. Despite a busy event, the event had a high turnout, indicating potential for further expansion.
Sarova’s unique features include its strong people who make guests feel like family members and take care of them. The front office manager’s role is crucial, as they guide guests through the door and exit. Sarova also presents African hospitality, particularly from the East African context, in both guest handling and presentation.
Sarova, a family-owned business that primarily works with destination management companies, supporting them as main suppliers of business. They handle the hospitality side and assist in procuring excursions and experiences. The name Sarova is derived from the wives of the founders,” he added.
Pelagie Egbane, Chief Experience Curator at Three Coast Leisure and Vacation, won a two-night stay at Sarova Whitesands in Mombasa at an event organised by Laguna Travels in collaboration with Sarova Hotel. Describing the hotels and resorts set up as massive, he said, “The free offer would give me the opportunity to explore more beyond just two nights, and the experience provided valuable knowledge.”
Speaking, Isoken Obichukwu, Founder of Grand Experience Limited, who has been in the travel industry for nearly 20 years after working with British Airways, expressed excitement about the potential business deal with the facility and anticipates a positive outcome.
Also, Doris Godson, Managing Director of Disconcept Travels and Tours, expressed gratitude to Sarova for the beautiful gift and educational training. She disclosed plans to partner with Sarova to bring clients from Nigeria to Kenya and offers packages, including honeymoon, holidays, and tour packages, at their beautiful hotels.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
