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UNWTO, Google Host First Tourism Acceleration Program in Sub-Saharan Africa

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The COVID-19 crisis has disproportionately affected tourism, a sector that accounts for millions of jobs around the globe.

 

While no one can say with certainty when the sector will recover, people are starting to dream of getaways again – whether closer to home or to remote destinations.

 

As more and more people go online to search where and when they can travel, accelerating the digitisation of the tourism sector will be key to helping it adapt and recover.

 

This is why the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Google have partnered to create and host an online Acceleration Program for UNWTO Member States’ tourism ministers, top travel associations and tourism boards to further develop innovation and digital transformation skills.

 

Today, ahead of World Tourism Day, the organisations hosted the first UNWTO & Google Tourism Acceleration Program focused on insights from Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.

 

Tourism is the backbone of many economies around the world. As data from UNWTO shows, tourism represents 9% of global trade for Africa and 1 in 10 jobs directly and indirectly. Moreover, the sector drives inclusive growth, as women make up 54% of the workforce.

 

Natalia Bayona, UNWTO director of Innovation, Digital Transformation and Investments, said “UNWTO is committed to helping Africa grow back stronger,”

 

“With the right policies, training and management in place, innovation and technology have the potential to foster new and better jobs and business opportunities for tourism in Africa while improving the overall wellbeing and prosperity of the region”.

 

Africa is home to 30% of the world’s population, adding hundreds of millions of new online users every year.

 

Google Search is one of the places Africans go when researching and booking travel.

 

Doron Avni, Google’s Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Emerging Markets, said “We’re here to help the tourism sector recover from this unprecedented crisis and emerge stronger.

 

“Our travel data insights and tools can help tourism authorities identify and understand the barriers and drivers to visit travel destinations for better tourism planning.”

 

Below are some of the Nigeria travel data insights shared with participants in today’s session:

Nigeria

Since Nigeria announced its intention to reopen its borders to international travel on August 29th, search interest for travel has grown.

This slowdown presents an opportunity to rethink tourism, innovate and further develop the digital transformation of the sector so it can build the foundations for future sustainable growth.

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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Coronation Report Reveals Key Role of Private Sector to Nigeria’s Infrastructure Funding

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The maiden edition of Coronation group infrastructure report has revealed that the private sector has a critical role to play in infrastructure funding in Nigeria.

The report stated that the key to private-sector infrastructure investment is for dealmakers to structure transactions that offer attractive returns combined with an acceptable degree of risk, the risk often being eased by agreements supplied by infrastructure investment vehicles such a Infracorp.

The report said that the investor base can play its part, providing liquidity as part of its own efforts to create long-term returns with low relationship with public markets.

The report noted that Nigeria’s future infrastructure development depends on private capital, including capital allocated to Public Private Partnership (PPP) ventures, given the huge amounts of money required and the inability of government to provide it.

The report explained that the record of the federal government in capital expenditure over several decades highlighted the need for increasing private-sector investment, adding that public expenditure on transportation, education, hospitals, power, housing, and other essential infrastructure has not kept up with the needs of a population growing at a long-term rate.

The report said Public-private partnership differs from government capital expenditure in that it must pay for its capital, noting that it must attract private sector capital and therefore provide better returns than the risk-free returns of government debt.

According to the report, “Inflows of petro-dollars into government coffers did not translate into proportionately more being spent on capital expenditure, surely a missed opportunity. Still worse was to follow in the period 2011-2020 when the average level of public sector capital expenditure fell to 1.1 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”


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DLM Asset Management Set to Host Webinar to Discuss Financial Stability in Times of Economic Distress

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DLM Asset Management Limited, a subsidiary of DLM Capital Group, is hosting a webinar with the theme, “Maintaining financial stability in times of economic distress.” The much-awaited webinar, slated for Thursday, March 28, 2023, at 11 a.m., is going to cover the essential strategies to navigate through economic challenges and safeguarding one’s financial future.

Hosted by industry experts, the webinar will delve into the following key topics and teach attendees:

  • How to adopt a proactive, knowledgeable, and adaptable approach to risk assessment and mitigation.
  • How to thrive in this present economy and remain financially resilient.
  • Financial planning and discipline

During its interactive Q&A session, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the subsidiary’s services from the hosts and speakers of the webinar. This includes the DLM fixed income fund, which Nairametrics identified as one of the top-performing Nigerian mutual funds in 2023.

This webinar is designed for investment savvy individuals Income earners, institutional and corporate investors, high net worth individuals, and the mass retail market.

Interested parties can register for the webinar by using this link, which is currently active. Seize the opportunity to gain experience on insightful things and get ready for a rewarding encounter.

 


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Firm Canvasses Affordable Technology to Drive Business Efficiency

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Information Communication Technology (ICT) service provider, Thamani Consulting, has stressed the need to make technology much affordable so as to make businesses seamless and efficient.

Olubunmi Abegunde, Managing Partner of the company, averred that making technology access affordable would enhance its penetration and increase uptake of digital technologies to drive employment growth of more than 22 million Africans joining the workforce each year.

He explained that the organisation remained committed to empowering businesses to thrive in Nigeria’s dynamic environment, hence churns out innovative solutions to address business problems across disciplines.

“Leveraging 20 years of combined market experience executing successful IT Projects with local and multinational organisations, we aim to capitalise on this to improve strategic utilisation of technology in Africa and support capacity building through access to requisite information technology,” he said.

He explained further that the African region more than others need increased usage of digital technologies to level-up globally, noting that polices to drive low-end technology access must be prioritised.

“This is why we do not compromise the balance of quality, standard professionalism and yet affordability in the choice of solutions we offer to clients which include: SAP training and Implementations, Software Asset Management, Plant Maintenance Process Automation and Automation for manufacturing Industries, amongst others.”


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