Today, I keep it short and sweet! My reason is that at the end of the article I will need you to take action as part of your response to this article. So here we go…

It started with the flooding of Nollywood movies in the Kenyan market, next came the Nigerian preachers (or did it start with the preachers then the movies? Hmm) and then came the Naija fashion and every occasion, be it a wedding or other social event, the favoured dress code was Nigerian. Before we could say “Gèlè” the Naija Night series came calling – a once-a-month event that brings in Naija music/movie stars for a night of fun…bringing the Naija culture to the Kenyans. Now the latest “Naija craze” is here and I haven’t yet caught my breath, I beg and to think I was the only Naija freak – hahahaha!

The Naija tunes are invading Kenya very fast…yes that is the latest “Naija craze”! The Kenyan gospel circuit has a few songs sung Naija style: “Baba God oo”; “Full full”; and the list goes on and is getting bigger by the day. Now I recently learned that Kenyans are invading Lagos and Abuja for business set-ups and the Nigerians are returning the same favour in Nairobi…seems like the feeling is mutual – I love this!

Anyway, I got thinking…like I always do on anything Naija…lol: wouldn’t it be brilliant if there was a fair or fairs organized in Nairobi and Nigerians come and show-case Naija holiday spots? Something that will give hoteliers and other stakeholders including tour agencies an opportunity to sell Nigeria as a holiday and tourist destination. At the same time give the fair goers an opportunity to shop for holiday destinations in Nigeria; something to wet their appetite and create a platform where they get to meet the providers and get more information one on one. Including holiday offers too!

Fairs are a great channel for stakeholders in the hospitality industry to show-case their products; a great way of a country like Nigeria to sell itself as a tourist destination for holiday goers. I’ve seen it work very well for Kenya both in Kenya and in the international tourism forums. If it works for us it will definitely work for my other favorite country in the world – Nigeria.
I am throwing a challenge to fellow Nigerians who love their country and hope to see it as a choice tourist destination to wake up from their “slumber” and take action – action that will cause the wheels of motion to start moving in the direction of seriously advertising and selling Nigeria as a choice (mark my words – I’m repeating the word “choice” because that is what should be the ultimate goal – choice!) holiday destination.

Nigeria has so much to offer and if a quarter of what Naijatreks is displaying in here is anything to go by, then I can’t wait to see the rest…it is simply mind-blowing! So are you my dear reader up to the challenge? Let me hear what you have to say and let’s get working…yes, I promise to help too – after all I’m part Nigerian!
Until next time I remain yours truly,

K-Naija Sista,
Suzan Mwadime CEO,
Kivuli Holidays and Conferences.
www.kivuliholidays.com

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Filed under: General, Inspiration