It has become a style of tradition as various attractions packed at the annual Destination Tourism Night held on Sunday 28th November,2021 at the Prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
This year’s Destination Tourism Night is with a special focus on Destination Lagos hence the marriage of Destination Lagos Tourism Night with the theme: Tourism Talent Development: Economic Access in Destination Lagos, and the importance of talent discovery and skills development in the preparation of the state to fully drive the implementations of the State’s Tourism Master Plan and fully deriving the related economic benefits therefrom.
The Organizer of the event, Mr Ayo Omotoso in his welcome address state that this year’s Destination Tourism Night is a new blend of attractions to promote tourism talents across humanity. He said there “there over 7 billion talents in the world, everyone should be given a chance to exhibit his or her talents for economic gains”. This will further solve the issue of unemployment in the country. “With tourism talents Development, many youths would find great expressions to their innate talents discovery and that is why Destination Tourism Night offers a platform to showcase them to the world”
Attractions clips of Destination Lagos was displayed on a large electronic screen; turned to a tourism delight for participants who often propose to explore Lagos with zeal and zest whilst the Lagos State Hon. Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture ably represented by Director of Tourism Promotions, Mrs Adanma Oni. She gave kudos to the organizers of the event; she further reeled to the participants that Destination Lagos has varieties of Tourism spots for Lagosians and visitors to explore all year round . The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, according to her is making great efforts to ensure a thorough implement of the “Tourism Master Plan”. She commended the organizers for a focused and determined effort at hosting the events noting that the quality of the event gets better and bigger in every other event since it’s inception.
The theme” Tourism Talent Development: Economic Access in Destination Lagos”was X-rayed at the event by a team of highly cerebral panelists. It was pointed that Talents are the ingredients of Tourism Development and efforts should be placed on training as while talented youths should focus on areas where to exhibit their talents for economic prosperity the good of themselves and the larger society.
2021 Destination Tourism Night wa an ambience of “touritainment” having upcoming stars in the order of Alexander Ikotun with a stage name, Kixxie, Osilana Damilare, Milaar; female youth drummer, Titi Irawo and Ugo Klassic. They unbelievably thrilled the participants to a blend of Vibes and percussion at the Grand Ball Hall, Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.
The first African Female talking drummer, Ara, in her Cultural iconic attire electrified the hall with her flawless drum beats; “her rendition song “omo Yoruba ni mi” which symbolizes a cultured bred yoruba Icon.
Ara, the drum goddess, is a delight to watch in all ramifications very particularly at 2021 Destination Lagos Tourism Night: Drums sing!
The Tourism night flows into the famous panegyric chanter, Alhaji Ayilara Suleman, famously known as Ajobiewe. This year’s Destination Lagos Tourism Night speaks volume culturally with the iconic Ajobiewe with uncommon chants of Destination Icons in honour of Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, Governor Lagos State, Mrs (Pharm) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf and the organizer of Destination Lagos Tourism Night, Mr Ayo Omotoso and other dignitaries at the event.
This was followed by touristic video clips displayed on the mega screen of the Tour Nigeria attractions put together by representatives of Director General,Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation,NTDC, Chief Folorunsho Coker; Those in attendance had their mouth agape seeing the beauty of Nigeria in different categories of tourism offerings.
The highpoint of the event was the unveiling of the ‘Lagos Local Governments Tourism Market, LLGTM,’ a Community Based Tourism Initiative by Destination Communications Ltd. It was unveiled by the representatives of the Chairman of Odiolowo Local government an that of the Honorable Commissioner for Tourism led by Hon. Seyi Jakande of Odiolowo- Ojuwoye, LCDA and Mrs. Adam Oni.
This year’s edition witnessed Destination Awards, Iconic Awards which was given to eminent icons in the travel trade industry. The leading pack of the day was Dr. Goodie M Ibru, a business Mogul, who was awarded a Destination Tourism Icon Award,Engr.Noah Dallaji, President, African Children Talent Discovery Foundation, ACTDF: Beautification of Youths Talents in Africa; Ogun-Goaundong FZC,: Leading Foreign Investment Destination of the year; Arinle Adekunle Ahmed – Exemplary Projection of Nigerian Culture In Diaspora; Atunyota Akpobome- Allibaba as Pathfinder of Comedy Tourism in Nigeria; Alhaji Suleiman Ayilara- Ajobiewe: Prolific Cultural Panegyric Rendition Icon; Olumuyiwa Aralola- Ara: Exceptional Cultural Tourism Drum Beats; Abolaji Kenali, CEO Aerovessel: Destination Youth Travel Trade Icon; Taiwo Oludayo, CEO Aeroport: Destination Youth Tourism Entrepreneur; and Ifakolade Reece who flew in from Las Vegas to identify with the event also received Destination Diaspora Cultural Icon Award.
Among dignitaries at the event is Mrs Sally Mbanefo, former DG NTDC, French Embassy led by
Miss Chidinma Sibeudu
and Egyptian Mr. Ahmed Fahmy.
The success of this year’s edition is evidently connect to adequate planning; commitment and passion on the strength of the organizers which many participants from all walks of life,including government functionaries and the youths explored without a boring moment.
Interestingly Destination Lagos Tourism Night affords the opportunity for tourists to relish the tasteful food varieties at the event.
Exhibitors among which are Loving Lagos,Epe Resort and Spa; TBS International among others.
No doubt this year’s Destination Lagos Tourism Night will linger in the memories of the attendees as Eyo possession was a thriller with the blend of cultural dance which obviously made Destination Lagos Tourism Night a memorable event of the year.
