Andrew Iro Okungbowa 
National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) and Eko Hotels and Suites have signed an agreement on the marketing of Theatre of Lights, a cultural tourism product curated annually be the hotel.
The themed cultural tourism offering, is a fusion of music, circus and magical shows, grand carnival processions, ice skating, and cuisines. It also incorporates Hakuna Matata theme park among other family-orientated fun filled activities.
The themed event, known as Tropic Christmas in Wonderland, debuted over three years ago with a modest 350 attendance during its three days period, but it has since grown, attracting over 4, 000 attendees spanning two weeks duration of the event, which has since been expanded in scope and offerings.
NANTA is expected in conjunction with the hotel to further expand on this and boost the attendance of this year’s event. Speaking during partnership signing ceremony held at Eko Hotel and Suites, the President of NANTA, Mr Yinka Folami, who led NANTA Lagos Zone Vice President and the executive members, assured the hotel management of NANTA’s reach and expertise in promoting the event across and outside the shores of Nigeria.
He stated, ‘‘we love this Nigerian cultural tourism story. We won’t talk too much but shall power its acceptance in our usual bullish way. Cultural tourism will give Nigeria a second chance economically, and we shall support Eko Hotel.
“Among other destinations and sites in Nigeria, we shall unveil the Eko Ho – tels and Suites leisure brand in London during the World Travel Market (WTM). The world must come to us now. No more Dubai, Florida, Venice or London for Christmas holidays.
‘‘We have this exclusive African Santa offering and the biggest luxury hotel with four expansive themed hospitality out – lets to accommodate various families and friends. NANTA will market this reality and experience to the world, including to Nigerians.
In his remark, the Managing Director of the hotel, Ghassan Fadoul, noted how big cultural tourism business is, adding that the partnership of NANTA and the hotel, would further amplify this and market it to Nigerians and the world.
“We are proudly a Nigerian company. Together, we can bring out changes, tell Nigerian story better, and sell Nigeria as a destination as we have great and different local opportunities that can excite the world.
We at Eko Hotel have the experience and brand to welcome our visitors and give them a lifetime experience,’’ stated the hotel GM. While on her part, the hotel’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Dr (Mrs) Iyadunni Gbadebo, disclosed that the hotel is intentional about the Christmas holiday product.
According to her, “we want to break the circle of holiday traffic to Dubai, London and tell our story, the positive and enigmatic stories of our culture, music, dance, sports, the very positive vibrations of Nigeria to the world and the over 200 million people in Nigeria.
‘‘We believe that NANTA, which has emerged as huge Nigerian travel trade brand can partner with us to further enrich the Nigerian leisure experience. We must partner to make gains for Nigeria and ourselves.
‘‘Nigerians must show capacity to host the world, tell our positive stories in every human endeavour, and we can do it together. If you fact check our strides in this engagement, we have crossed the lines, but we are positively ambitious, and NANTA’s appearance can further add to the value.”
