₦airaland Forum

beneli:
I think Dis Guy has a point here! Another point, i guess, is that people don't actually know what we have in our back yard. We are not very good at selling our tourist attractions so it doesn't really sound cool to say you spent your holiday in Ouagadougou. Coming back from Paris sounds a lot cooler!

But, honestly though, we need to begin exploring our backyards. There are a lot of interesting experiences that could be had, if one isn't too taken to the whole luxury thing. I did a land (and rail) journey across West Africa once. It took me through Benin, Togo and then Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal and then ending up in Gambia. I had wanted to follow the trail of the river Niger and had fantasies of going up to it's source (they say it starts in the Futta Djallon mountains somewhere between Senegal and Gambia). Unfortunately, it wasn't all pleasant. There was a lot of unsavoury encounters with immigration officials that wanted to be 'bribed' in order to let me through, even though i held an ECOWAS passport; emotionally draining encounters with young Nigerians enroute to a place they called Las Palmas, from where they planned to eventually enter Europe and sob stories from the half-crazed bunch stranded in places with names like Tambacounda, after they had been repatriated from Europe and were now feeling too ashamed to make the journey homewards. There was also the whole getting to experience first hand what our cousins in ECOWAS think of us-they don't think very highly of us because of the reputation we have for fraud, drug dealing etc.

In spite of the negatives, it was still an experience richer than i have ever had visiting the concrete jungles of New York, Berlin or Moscow; or even visiting half forgotten Orthodox churches clustering around the black sea in eastern europe and middle Asia. I will make that West Africa journey again one day. This time i will ferry up to Cape Verde for the 'Latin America' experience it supposedly offers in our backyard.

Africans don't spend their holidays more in Africa because a lot of us don't know that, in spite of her troubles, Africa is still the most naturally beautiful continent. I don't mind being called prejudiced for the bolded part of my statement-not at all!

I appreicate the experience sharing. This is what I am aimed at exposing. there are not alot of onlline outlets of African travels by Africans to give such insight into travels. The more you here of personal one on one stories the more you are equiped before embarking on such journeys and the smoother your holiday will be. Regardless of the hicups you had I can see you really cherished the experience.

I too am trying to hit cape verde as I heard it offers a ver mediternean feelind and after that will try to journey more in East Africa , the limpopo River in Zambia and so on. There is much to see within this continent and personally i am tired of the glit and glamour of European cities taht ofer you less of a welcolming atmosphere and expect you to spend spend spend in order to be appreciated and valued in the western world.

nice story,

Dis Guy:
This is a very interesting one!

The very first question should be why don't Africans go on holiday- they go mainly for shopping, and family visit in other countries.

Another thing is tourism is not developed in most African countries, quick access to information is very important; you can book a European holiday from your room- flight, insurance, hotel even Cabs and other things online, whilst in some parts of Africa you struggle to get information or even routes to destinations, if you notice on this board many travelling agent offering visas/tickets for European or Asian countries but ask anyone of them the price of hotels in Calabar and tickets you don't get a response.

Some Africans are mistreated even by other africans at airports, e.g Kenya and south Africa, you really don't want to get that hassle

I have never been treated as such in my travels even when I dentifiy as a Nigerian. I really think it is the demeanor you present that determines the outcome when visiting fellow African countries.

By the way don't europeans treat Nigerians even worse. I am an eye witness to the several harrassments in Europe. America is a little bit more lenient but Europe and Asia are horrible!!!


I do agree about the qucik accessibility of information for travellers and believe this is the major issue surrounding travel within Africa. You have no websites like  Trip advisor that are able to give you tips on fellow African vacationers to destinations within Africa, no quick booking processes and so on.

Thats my gripe as well.

joxiri:
morpheus
I dnt think he had any other interntions other than simply asking where you reside
You might be a nigerian does not mean your base primarily has to be in nigeria, hence why he asked the question

so Joxiri you are noe Ajanlekoko lawyer. Don't worry he is not on trial with me.

joxiri:
morpheus
i dnt think thats a silly question unless its private and u decline to answer
regardless of if you travel all the world you will still have somewhere as your base
pilots and air crew do

I am not sure if the question is trying to determine if I understand the perspective of the Average Nigerian and their travel habits as opposed to someone who has been living in isolation is some western country.

If thats the question then it is a resounding yes,

AjanleKoko:
Where's your primary base? Africa, Europe, or America?

Now thats asking silly questions, If I spend 6 months in Abuja, 2 in ghana, another 3 in South Africa and the rest in England and I am a Nigerian.

Where do you think my primary base is?

AjanleKoko:
Bro, let me just ask you one simple question:
Do you live and work in Africa?

I live and work in Africa. I also work in Europe and in America as well.

how can I compare the experiencies of African holiday destinations if I don't have an all round view of the different areas

damola1:
Also, what's farther and more appealing is better, this year/next year, I will like to visit the UK, USA, Japan, China and countries alike, cos, their colour, weather, environment is different and more appealing.

Did youjust think out loud or is that "colour" I see up there. How old are you?

damola1:
I might consider going for the world cup, but the thought of alqaeida is slowing me thoughts down, fact is, overseas is a developed place, I don't just visit, just to go and touch water, I visit to see development, to see how I can learn one or two things, and also to command more respect among my peers.

don't worry straight flight from naija to sa is virtually risk free.

damola1:
After I have finished visiting this places, then i can start visiting african places, but surely there are some places in africa that I might just zoom off to, egypt, SA, but then again, i have more family and friends in uk, usa, china, etc,

i can accept thatpoint

AjanleKoko:
Studio 53 on MNet features African tourist destinations. Most of the people in Africa who can afford travel watch Mnet anyway.

Thats about the only program I know that does that and it caters more to SA travellers. Its impact is seen in the growing desire for most southern Africans to venture out to places like the seychelles, zanzibar and madagascar. The promotion of these places should come from travel operators inside Nigeria. Ghana is the only spot now awadys that most operators encourage Nigerians to travel to,

AjanleKoko:
Frankly speaking, if you don't live and work in Africa, it will be very difficult for you to make a balanced assessment. What you would value in the West is very different from what we would value in Africa. Most of us enjoy the concrete jungles in Europe and the Americas. Apart from SA, there is little or no opportunity to enjoy a relatively sane environment.

Now the bolded part is very untrue. I spent some time in Ethiopia not too long ago and the place was very relaxing, it afforded me also with the opportunity to experience a very differnt African culture and one that i will be enriched for.

It looks like the Pharoah's coach is still very much interested in taking the Nigerian team to the world cup. he has tangled with Nigeria many times and knows the teams weakness in and out so I suppose he would be a good coach.

Also the motivation would be to see and African team do well since he lost the chance to take his own team .

What do ya'll think





http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1170349.html#nigeria+receive+shehata+blessing

AjanleKoko:
Dude, everything outside sub-saharan Africa is usually better. As much as I would like to think otherwise. We all hope for that day, but for now . . . aint that the same reason why most of you guys live outside Naija?
I think East Africans do a lot more travel within their region. They share common trade, language and affinity. Like Kenya-Uganda-Tanzania are more or less the same people, speaking Swahili. Same with the peoples of Congo DR, Zambia, Malawi, and Zim.

I don't get your point quite clear. I agree West Africa has less tourist destinations than most of Africa in general but why aren't you traveling to East Africa or Southern Africa or the islands that surrond the areas for recreation. ( the language and cultural differencies there are as contrast as if you took a trip to malaysia)

I agree that shopping is obviously better in the European/American socieites due to price/vaue advantages but the underlying issue here I beleive is ignorance and lack of exposure of some of these interesting areas.

In Nigeria you are programmed with T.V shows and travel channels on the best places to visit in europe and America yet I doubt anyone can boast of any channel that presents tourist destinations in Africa.

AjanleKoko:
Are you aware that going to London is cheaper than going to Seychelles or Botswana?
Besides, we live in a safari environment anyway. What with all the mosquitos I chase around every evening, why on earth would I want to go to a game reserve?

On a serious note, the concept of vacation for the African is mostly shopping, not hiking or other outdoor activities. Just visit any of the tourist destinations in Europe, and you'll be able to count how many Africans you see taking in the sights, as opposed to the shopping districts.

You obviously haven't been to many Safaris

As far as shopping is concerned. thats the major problem. How can a holiday be necessarily about shopping. I am guessing thats what relaxes the average African. The ability to buy goodies and return back home.

don't you think the issue is with perception and don't you think this should change.

malaika:
Nice post Morpheus I'm passionate about travel within Africa, there's so much to see and learn and rich culture all over Africa. I also like the fact that I can blend in and not stand out

Money and perceptions are an issue, but I get your point about Africans being willing to spend money going to Europe/US. I noticed that flights are quite expensive within the continent, even more than travelling to Europe sometimes. I went on holiday to Morocco some time ago and had to fly via Spain first because direct flight from SA to Morocco with SAA was ridiculously priced. Also been to Ghana, and I drive to Victoria Falls anytime I please plus I live in a tourist destination country and take full advantage of that, the best safari lodges and beaches (ok I'm biased here ) are at my doorstep. I know some SA-hater on NL will soon tell me about our crime and how many SAns can afford such holidays but I'm talking about myself and I'm not rich just a normal working person who has to budget for a holiday.

My dream African holiday - 4x4 drive through West Africa, starting Cameroon - Nigeria - Benin - Togo - Ghana - B.Faso - Mali (Timbuktu, Djenne all that history) ending in Senegal (Goree Island etc) now that would be great and it will happen!! Africa Rocks!!

I understand where you are coming from as far as holiday destinations within SA. I was in your country for a short period on research and was blown away by the scenary and what it had to offer as far as tourism is concerned. i have been to several other places including Ethiopia and was also blown away comparing what you see on T.v versus when you actually arrive there.

I think the major issue with Africans is the perception of going to this other places and many have a blanket view of Africa. No one should blame europeans or others for not coming to visit their country when there is no work being done to develop and promote areas that would be good tourist destinations.

The governor of Cross river state in Nigeria has tried tremendously in creating a tourist city in his home state and gradually the message is beginning to go out even with Nigerians who reside overseas.

I met a black Saffa lady who had visited the area with the usual stereo type perception of Nigeria but now that lady literally can't stop talking about how much fun she had on her visit there last xmas, jsut goes to show you.

[quote author=1,2 link=topic=376796.msg5522795#msg5522795 date=1266315921]FACT-A-DAY
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In 2000, 74% of African cell phone customers were South African. By 2008 this proportion had dropped to 19%. (Information Society Statistical Profiles 2009 Africa, ITU) [Comment on this fact]
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RESEARCH AND STRATEGY INSIGHTS[/quote]

MRbrownJAY:
@post
i guess, going to Mali for a Nigerian might not be that appealing and the person would prefer to save his money to go to a "funkier" place like europe, US etc.

also i dont think there is much to see in places like Cameroon, Togo, Benin, Niger etc while if someone is living in France for example, you would have many fantastic touristic places within a short distance to discover like UK,Italy, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Spain etc all within a train ride distance and CHEAP as hell due to all these low cost airlines.
where can anyone get a flight from Lagos to Douala for 79€ or less? is there even a functioning rail system in 9ja?

Europe, US just cant be compared to Africa and thats just the sad fact about it all.

What about the places i mentioned earlier which are hot tourist destination spots in African and have a lot to offer. ie. Senegal, Gambia, Angola,Seychelles,madagascar, Ethiopia, South Africa, Zanzibar, Morroco, Cape verde. All these places are in Africa.

Is it because of the perceptions of this places by Africans.

I have been to a few of the above places and some of them blew me away. i never believed Africa had so much to offer and indeed was very ignorant of the fact. Which I think is the problem here

[quote author=1,2 link=topic=376796.msg5519831#msg5519831 date=1266266575]Check your backyard before mentioning anything about South Africa. If we were the capital city of murder we wouldn't have 1 Million Nigerians roaming our streets like wild dogs. If crime was so bad, why are they here then? Why don't they go to Mozambique, Zimbabwe or Zambia if South Africa was so bad? You must just ask yourself that question. How many South Africans that are in Nigeria? Less than 1000, then ask yourself why there aren't many South Africans in Nigeria. Its ecomonical, simple as that.[/quote]You are proving my point exactly by making ridiculous statments like the ones above.

What is your point? That South Africa is a destination where one is able to progress judging from the capitalist system, stable infrastructure and economic opportunity. Thats a non issue Dummy,

The question you should be asking is why are your unemployment rates high, crime statistics high as compared to your developed world peers you seem to equate yourselfs to frequently.

Only smart intellectuals can dissect the problems properly instead of coming up with silly arguements about how many Nigerians are in South Africa and how 'foreigners' are influxing the country and taking your jobs away from you(though this is a valid issue)

If Biko were alive today with his intellectual level I doubt he would be concerned about the issues of the Nigerians and instead would be formulatting aggressive agendas to curb the disparities of  the townshiped underclass which are undoubtedly the root of urban problems of crime, illiteracy, despoil and HIV.

The above situations beind exacerbated by economic struggle between Capitalist entities that feel threathen by socialist agenda that give rise to pressure on capital  thereby creating possibilites for exploitation of 'foreigners" who are willing participants to an unfair wage or those who participate in underground business in a existing marketplace


Please listen to his excerp again and pay attentiion to the portion where he prophesizes on the outcome of your country if the government did not implement certain controlled socialist agendas concerning the redistribution of wealth in an equitable manner.

joxiri:
its probably cheaper to travel to europe than the seychelles for nigerians

Don't think so

The real reason is Africans see european destinations as desirable because they are programmed to believe these are the best destinations to go to.

I mean I am not saying one should spend every waking moment in Africa but put it on the table as a possibel destination.

joxiri:
the same africans that shop for the cheapest airlines travelling with all sorts of airlines that take forever to get to their desitnation
   these africans reading in europe how many of them go on holidays and its a very little percaentage of most africans
 free accomodation in europe is still cheaper than african hotels

Average hotel accomodation for a weeks holiday in europe (50 euro *7 days=350 euro)
Naira equivalent=200 * 350= 70,000 naira

Averate price of a blackberry phone in euro 200-300 Euro.

DON"T GIVE ME THAT PLEASE!!

[quote author=tpia. link=topic=398694.msg5519824#msg5519824 date=1266266453]because they ran away from poverty and dont want to run back to it


or be reminded of it[/quote]how can travelling to the seychelles remind you of poverty?

joxiri:
have you also considered that africans arent wealthy enough to take these holidays Most africans that go to europe are going to see relatives and dont pay for hotels

I don't get your point. The Africans(residing in Africa) who travel to europe are wealthy enough to buy Airline tickets to europe and come back with heafty bags of goodies, new gadgets and so on but somehow can't afford hotel accomodation in "African" hotels which are relatively cheaper than the alternatives in Europe.

If the above is an excuse , What about the Africans who are residing in european countries(making the euro) how come they don't take holidays with African destinations in mind aka the places I have mentioned above and their european counter parts are?

you guys don't seem to be getting the big picture here.

I am not saying that Europeans do not venture outside of their continent. What I am implying is that Africans in general do not take full advantage of the tourism within Africa before venturing out

Example: How many of you have been to Ethiopia, Morroco, Gambia, Senegal, Goree island, Cape verde, Mozambic, Zanzibar, Sechelles, Madagascar, Desert festival in Mali, Calabar Festival, Yankari game reserve and so on?

Fhemmmy:
Cos an average african dont feel fufilled till they step their foot on the soil of Western world, and so amazing that some would even get there and run away and become a refugee in another land while they live all behind

lets put this in context. The average African who can afford a holiday is a working class to middle class individual who earns an income and could be less tempted to run away from what is giving him his daily bread.

The issue is the lack of information for exotic destinations to go to within Africa itself and a misconception of Africans that all part of the continent are not travel worthy.