It is no longer news that the COVID19 pandemic dealt tourism and travels a heavy blow in 2020. However, during the lockdown, frontline Nigerian tourism promoter, Ambassador Ikechi Uko and the Seven Wonders Of Nigeria team constantly held a weekly Zoom Conference and from that vantage position presents a comprehensive list of champions of domestic tourism in the country in 2020 during the lockdown.
From the Top Tourism States in Nigeria to Most Popular Tourism Sites visited between June and December by Members, it was an exhaustive list.
The list also featured the Top Promoters of Domestic Tourism in Nigeria between June and December 2020, the Top Tourism Supportive Agencies, and The Top Destination Journalists for 2020 who told the stories of Domestic Locations week in week out.
The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) led by hard-working President, Susan Akporiaye, made the list as the Top Tourism Association during the lockdown.
Shallom Asuquo of Travel Lab Uyo who pushed and put Akwa Ibom State on the Map and Namure of Brisk Travels Abuja who helped us enjoy Mpape Crushed Rock along with Peace Iyare emerged as The Revelation of 2020 while the most improved players for 2020 were Great Captain Emmanuel and Kalo Africa Balogun who upped their game.
“From a Vantage Position of Hosting the Weekly Zoom Conferences of the Seven Wonders of Nigeria from June Last Year till December 2020 we observed a lot of things and the Team recorded Trends and Changes in Tourism in Nigeria. These are our Findings which was shared with Members of the Tourism 100 Club” Uko wrote.
Below is the full list
The Top Tourism States in Nigeria 2020.
They made the Most Effort to Stay Relevant in the Promotion of Tourism in Nigeria during the Lockdown Period
1. Lagos State is Number One in Stakeholder Engagement
2. Ekiti State is Number One in Destination promotion and Policy Rollout
3. Osun State
4. Plateau State for hosting of National Festival for Arts and Culture, NAFEST
5. Oyo State
6. Akwa Ibom State
7. Kebbi State for Argungu Festival
8. Bayelsa State
9. Cross River State
10. River State
11. Enugu State
The Most Popular Tourism Sites visited between June and December by Members
Before the Lockdown these were not the most popular sites, but, post lockdown they attracted the most visits.
1. Idere Hills in Oyo State
2. Obudu Mountain in Cross River State
3. Mpape Rocks in FCT
4. Badagry Beach in Lagos State
5. Zuma Rock in Niger State
6. Oguta Lake in Imo State
7. Ezeagu Falls in Enugu State
8. Owu Falls in Kwara State
9. La Campagne Beach Resort in Lagos State
10. Katampe Hills in FCT.
The Top Promoters of Domestic Tourism in Nigeria between June and December 2020.
They had tours and trips to many destinations last year. They gave us good pictures and great updates. They presented new destinations and old destinations with new eyes. They travelled while we stayed at home. They moved people. They are listed in no particular order
1. Olugbenga Omotayo Sunday
2. Bolaji Seun
3. Omotosho Hakeem Olamilekan
4. Chiamaka Obuekwe
5. Omotoke Thetokelady Alarinka
6. George Lucky
7. Jibola Oluseye
8. Anago James Akeem Osho
9. Cordis Marianuela
10. Kingsley Uzordon
11. Nanna Yakubu
12. Oludayo Taiwo Gideon
13. Erelu Funmi Rotiba
The Top Tourism Supportive Agencies
1. The National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC led by Otunba Segun Runsewe
2. NIHOTOUR
3. National Parks
The Top Tourism Association during the Lockdown
The Top Tourism Association during the Lockdown was NANTA Headquarters led by hard-working President, Susan Akporiaye. They stayed active all through the Lockdown.
The Top Destination Journalists for 2020
They gave us stories of domestic locations week in week out.
1. Emelike Obinna of Business Day
2. Andrew Okungbowa of New Telegraph
3. Taiye Baiyerohi Olayemi of NAN.
The Best Photographs of 2020: Dayo Adedayo
“The Best Photographs of 2020 that I saw were courtesy of our man Dayo Adedayo, thanks for updating us with Amazing Images of Lagos and Abuja and the Books.
Altogether it was a trying year but we weathered the challenges together. We have set a tone for growth in 2021. Everyone can do better than we all did in 2020.
To the Naija7wonders team, I say a big thank you for a great job. We shall surely be rewarded in this life and in this country” he also wrote.
He challenged promoters of tourism in the country to do more while reserving special kudos to Samson Nunayon Prince Apata and some other individuals for their different roles.
“Guys let’s do more. Special Kudos to the Promoter Extraordinaire for Badagry, Samson Nunayon Prince Apata. Our Historian and Recordkeeper, Dr Raphael James. Bless your Souls. The person that participated in all Zoom conferences is Ebele Enemchukwu. Special medal to Remlords Tours, the Supporter in Chief” Uko added.
Uko also used the occasion to gush about the new road to Kalabari Kingdom recently opened by the Government of Rivers State.
“I fell in love with this new road to the Kalabari Kingdom opened last week by the Government of Rivers State. I want to travel on this road to Abonema. It is breathtaking to behold. Naija fine no be small” he enthused.