Group vows to boost tourism, grow economy of the S-East region

From Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu

A group on the platform of Jands Travel Network, Enugu state on Thursday vowed to boost tourism and grow the economy of the southeast region.

The leadership of the group,, who launched a Travel Business School in Enugu State, the capital of the southeast region, said that “There are quite a number of Aviation schools, but I know and I tell people that the travel business has a lot more than aviation alone, which belongs to the transportation aspect of the travel business

The managing director, Mrs Chioma Obi who spoke with newsmen in Enugu, noted that ” we create awareness and instil knowledge of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry in the Southeast geo-political zone with a view to boosting the economy of the region.  

“There are quite a number of Aviation schools, but I know and I tell people that the travel business has a lot more than aviation alone, which belongs to the transportation aspect of the travel business.”

“The people in the south eastern part of Nigeria are travelers. They are the importers, the exporters, the  business men and women as well as the explorers. They travel to explore business opportunities, they come home during festivities and celebrations, they bring in goods from all over the world to sell in Nigeria and take our local goods to so many locations outside Nigeria. 

“They contribute greatly to flight ticket sales. These are opportunities for people in the travel business to offer their services if they know how to do so, that is why we chose to locate Jands Travel Business School in Southeast Nigeria.

She continued: “We don’t have tourism and hospitality classes as a foundation in secondary schools like you have the sciences. We don’t have it in many Nigerian universities the way we have other courses, but in comparison with other countries, you find out that there are countries that thrive with the tourism sector. It makes up a very good part of their Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and gives them a lot of employment opportunities.

She added further that: “the good thing about the school is that you learn at your own pace and you don’t need to travel to Lagos, Abuja or any other region in Nigeria, because the school provides what entrepreneurs need here in the Southeast. After getting trained, we ensure that entrepreneurs are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), National Association of Nigerian Traveling Agency (NANTA) as well as other industry associations as a part of the mentorship program in order to guide their successful growth” she stressed.

On the services provided by the Jands Travel Network, Mrs. Obi listed them to include Local & International Flight Reservations, Visa Assistance, Local & Intl Hotel reservations, Tours, Training, Global Study Services.

Also speaking, the Executive Director (Marketing), Jands Travel Network, Enugu, Valentine Obi said that excellence remains their core value, stressing that they don’t play with giving perfection in their services.

“Our Facilitators are the best of the cream in the aviation industry”, the Executive Director added.

Earlier in her speech, Ruth Mbgemena, Facilitator/Faculty member, Ticketing and Reservations, Jands Travel Business School, said her major task introducing the youths to the technicalities of flight reservation, ticket issuing and sales in aviation, as well as industry ethics, is to ensure that they follow the legal and professional approach to avoid scams and ticket racketeering. 

“School is a dream. We hope to look back five years from now and see the people that have gone through this school, I know that we will be amazed for being a part of their growth and their achievements in the aviation industry, she noted.