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Inside Watch Africa -IWA, Lagos (2025)

15/07/2025

THE 2025 AFRICA BUSINESS TOURISM AND MICE MASTERCLASS TO CULTIVATE A THRIVING MICE INDUSTRY ACROSS AFRICA.

Johannesburg, Monday, 14 July 2025: Africa Tourism Partners is once again calling upon all tourism stakeholders to gather in Johannesburg for the 8th 2025 edition of the Africa Business Tourism and MICE Masterclass. The MICE Masterclass is scheduled for Wednesday 27 and 28 August 2025 at BDO Offices, Wanderers Office Park, 52 Corlett Dr, Illovo, Johannesburg, South Africa.
MICE is a vital economic pillar for public and private sector stakeholders in Africa's tourism, travel, and hospitality sectors. As such, this year’s Masterclass will provide valuable knowledge on emerging trends and practices shaping the MICE industry in 2025 and beyond. Additionally, the Masterclass has been designed to propel the African MICE industry to new heights by uniting industry stakeholders and fostering collaboration.
By participating in the 2025 MICE Masterclass, delegates will reconnect with their peers, share insights and collectively strategise for a prosperous future in the African MICE landscape. Furthermore, participants will receive information on the global trends that are crucial for Africa, enabling them to benchmark their performance against industry leaders. The Masterclass will also focus on helping the stakeholders achieve revenue targets and position their businesses and destinations strategically.
The Africa Business Tourism and MICE Masterclass was launched in 2018 and has brought over 1500 African industry professionals to participate in the program. The Masterclass is a professional development, refresher program and the only pan-African focused MICE and business events program in Africa. Held annually, it is delivered by renowned African and international industry practitioners and professionals.
Strategic partners for the program include BDO, ICCA, Southern Africa Association of Conference Industry, UN Tourism, SITE Africa, South African Tourism, and many other partners.
Considering the above the MICE Masterclass participants include professionals and stakeholders from the African tourism and events industry. These include executives and officials from convention bureaus, tourism departments, tourism boards, and tourism development agencies. Other attendees are meeting planners, professional conference organisers, destination marketing companies, and suppliers from the MICE industry. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs, youth and women in tourism, students, and start-ups are an additional component of the Masterclass attendees.

Business-to-business sessions and desktop exhibition space are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Massive discounts are available for group registrations, SMMEs and students and these are for the early birds.

To register your participation, please contact Ms. Rejoice Chishamba - [email protected] or telephone: +27 81 303 7030.

END
Notes to the Editor:

About Africa Tourism Partners
African Tourism Partners (ATP) - www.africatourismpartners.com is a UNWTO-affiliated, award-winning Pan-African tourism development and strategic destination marketing advisory firm. The firm specialises in tourism and MICE strategy formulation, investment facilitation and promotion, research, master planning and destination market development and capacity building across Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation and golf sub-industries.

Our clients and partners include but are not limited to UNWTO, World Bank, Mastercard Foundation, NEPAD, AfCFTA, South African Tourism, Ghana Tourism Authority, Tourism KwaZulu- Natal, Rwanda Development Board, Rwanda Convention Bureau, Rwanda Chamber of Commerce, SAACI, RwandAir, SAA, Ethiopia Airlines, Tanzania Tourism Board, Kenya Tourism Board, Uganda Tourism Board, Gauteng Tourism Authority, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Nigeria and more.

About UN Tourism

UN Tourism is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. As the leading international organisation in the field of tourism, UN Tourism promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.

Contact details:

For partnerships, sponsorships, registration, and enquiries, please contact Ms. Rejoice Chishamba at: [email protected] / +27 (0) 11 318 1741 / +27 (0) 81 303 7030.

14/07/2025

Ever feel like the grass is greener on the other side?

It’s a common feeling—imagining others have it easier or better. But is that the case?

During a recent break in a meeting, some female colleagues opened up about the unique challenges they face—everything from monthly cycles to the unspoken societal pressures placed on women. Their honesty was eye-opening and left me with a deep sense of respect and admiration.

It also sparked a personal reflection: What if we’re exactly who we’re meant to be?
Rather than wishing to be someone else, what if we focused on becoming the best version of ourselves?

You have unique strengths. A unique path. A purpose that only you can fulfil.
You already have what it takes to thrive—right where you are.

The truth? The grass isn’t greener elsewhere.
It’s greenest where you water it.

07/07/2025

Ufok ebubde ke nsu, isi idaga ibigi

Recently, as one of the guest adjudicators, I had the rare privilege of attending the practical presentation of cuisines by the graduating students of the Hospitality Business School here in Lagos, Nigeria Although my objective is to examine the thrust of one of the discussions we had at the event, let me restate that I had a great time, the cuisines were delicious, and the presentations exquisite. During the event, one of the judges, Opeyemi Famakin, asked a question that led to a very short but insightful discussion. The question was, can someone who never got a formal training but worked and learnt as an apprentice under a great chef turn out to become a great chef? My immediate answer was yes. If the said person is serious, determined, and committedly learn under his or her mentor or master, the apprentice can turn out to become a great chef. However, as we deliberated on the topic, I soon realized, for a global profession like being a chef, that there is likely to be some basic general knowledge as well as building blocks; the hows, dos and donts, as well as the whys that all chefs globally should know that the master or mentor may consider unnecessary because of their present circumstance and location that could impede the potentials of the said apprentice from becoming the great chef he or she could have become if he or she only had a formal training. The master or mentor would only teach the mentee or apprentice the trade secrets and techniques he or she considers necessary to satisfy and conquer the present market they are currently catering to.
This made me ponder how we as human beings globally are always looking for shortcuts and the easiest ways to go about doing things. I looked at my personal life and realised that on several occasions, I have had to pay very dear consequences for circumventing the process of building solid foundations for certain things. Today, I may be referred to as a good singer, but I probably would have become one of the greatest singers who ever lived if only I had taken the time to properly learn the fundamentals of singing. Unfortunately, if we take the time to properly look at the way things are today in our societies in Africa, we probably would have been in a better place if we had
paid more attention to building the foundations of most things in all the facets of our lives, most often when we want to be truthful to ourselves, we always look for the fastest or easiest way to do things.

In line with my desire to continue to title my desk from an African adage or saying, this time I picked the title from an Akwa-Ibom saying; 'Ufok ebubde ke nsu, isi idaga ibigi' which means, 'a house/foundation built on lies doesn't stand the test of time (or, doesn't stand for long)'. Akwa-Ibom is from the South-South of Nigeria, where they predominantly speak the Efik language. I had the privilege to interview Dr. John Lamola, the CEO of South African Airways (SAA), when he recently visited Nigeria. In this interview, he shared with us how well they have fared since he took over the reins of office as acting CEO of the airline. As well as the fabulous plans that he and his team have for SAA going forward. In my opinion, his success story as CEO of SAA is not unconnected to the very solid foundation he had in academia before taking up the job as CEO I assure you, you will find the interview interesting. In addition to the story of Doctor Lamola, we also have some other very insightful stories in this edition for your reading pleasure, such as that of Mr. Saantha Naidu, the Group CEO of the Coastlands Hotel Group in South Africa, his story also teaches us how having a solid foundation guarantees sustainable success in business. I wish you a very pleasurable reading experience. Cheers!

06/07/2025

Radisson Hotels Wins Big at the 2025 Hotel Managers Conference, Africa.

Radisson Hotel Group is happy to announce big wins for its hotels in Nigeria at the recently held 2025 Hotel Managers Conference, Africa. The leading hotel awards won by Radisson Blu Anchorage Lagos Victoria Island, for the Best Luxury Hospitality Experience in Nigeria and Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos Ikeja won the Best in Hotel Operations in-country. In the leading hospitality personality awards category, Rita Opiah, General Manager, Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Lagos Victoria Island and Yehia El-Mansoury, General Manager, Radisson Hotel Lagos Ikeja bagged worthy Hospitality Impact accolades.

The Awards, all voted for by a panel of industry experts, recognise the highest standards of excellence by hotels that provide outstanding hospitality and travel experiences to their guests. Likewise, the Hospitality Impact award celebrates leaders in the industry for their exceptional commitment to sustainability and diversity, equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices.

Speaking about the exciting win by all the hotels in-country, Ahmed Raza, District Director, Radisson Hotel Group in Nigeria said “this annual conference celebrates the very best of our country’s hospitality industry and as a leading brand in this sector with outstanding results, our win affirms our steadfast commitment to providing exceptional guest satisfaction and service excellence. This win is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all team members across our hotels in setting the highest standards for authentic quality and innovation in Nigeria’s hospitality sector.”

Ahmed adds that “the Hospitality Impact awards equally demonstrate the commitment of our General Managers in leading their team members by setting a new standard for best practices, in developing and implementing innovative solutions to sustainability and DEI issues, in our market.”

These awards for the hotels in Nigeria follow earlier successes and reflect a continued dedication to guest-focused and innovative approaches within the hospitality/travel sector.

04/07/2025

Still in Ondo… Still in Awe!

This trip has once again confirmed what I’ve always believed — Nigeria is abundantly blessed in every sense, from its natural resources to its untapped tourism potential.

Did you know that Ondo State boasts one of the longest coastlines in Nigeria — 180km? This stretch holds immense potential for sea trade, seaport development, and commercial fishing.

The waters are rich with exotic seafood like catfish, croaker, snapper, mixed fish, and shrimp. At the heart of this vibrant marine ecosystem is the Igbokoda Fishing Terminal, a hub for fishing and marine-related activities.

Beyond fishing, there's an enormous opportunity for large-scale aquaculture, including the production of fish fingerlings, fish farming, and seafood processing—all with the capacity to meet both local and international demand.

Today, as part of the post-conference tour of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators’ (NATOP) 9th Annual General Meeting, we explored Araromi Beach in Igbokoda. I was amazed by this hidden gem!

My sincere prayer and hope is that bold investments will soon unlock the full potential of this treasure. Ondo State is calling — and the world needs to answer.

03/07/2025

Unlocking Nigeria’s EcoTourism Potential!

I had the honour of attending — and once again serving as Master of Ceremonies — at the conference segment of the 9th Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), themed:
"Unlocking Nigeria’s Ecotourism Untapped Treasure: A Catalyst for Empowering Tourism Entrepreneurs."

What resonated deeply with me is this: every resource a society needs to thrive has already been given. Our task is to discover, nurture, and manage responsibly — not just for today, but as custodians for generations to come.

27/06/2025

Embracing African Skies for a Brighter Future

Full control and ownership of African airspace are crucial for the growth and development of intra-African travel. Africans must take action to ensure this vision becomes a reality.

At Inside Watch Africa (IWA), we are excited to announce that South African Airways (SAA) is reclaiming its rightful place in the African skies. We extend our heartfelt congratulations for their remarkable achievements thus far and wish them continued success in all their future endeavours.

21/06/2025

RADISSON HOTEL LAGOS IKEJA ELEVATES COMMUNITY ACTION WITH YOUNG TALENT ART EXHIBITION.

In giving back to its community with heart, the Radisson Hotel Lagos Ikeja recently opened its doors to young artists as a space for creativity. This collaboration offered the hotel a unique approach to foster community engagement and interactions. The art exhibition is also a demonstration of the hotel’s commitment to offer guests with exceptional contemporary experience whilst travelling locally.
Supporting and inspiring young talents to act on their dreams, the art exhibition titled “The Ties That Builds” provided a visible platform for bold expressions, compelling and visual storytelling. The exhibition of works is rooted in the belief that creativity thrives when nurtured by community collaboration and shared opportunity.
On display at the exhibition were great works of young artists including Owadasa Roland, Adewale Ojo, Delilah Oyawale and Daniel Ogwuche. Each artist projected a unique perspective, shaped by personal experience, yet their works resonated with a common message that our strength lies in the bonds that we form in our community.

Welcoming esteemed guests and art enthusiasts to the two-day exhibition, Yehia El-Mansoury, General Manager, Radisson Hotel Lagos Ikeja said, “Radisson Hotels is known for its commitment to art and design, often integrating artwork into our hotel experience. Here in Ikeja, our guests are discerning and with a passion for discovering new art. To elevate our guest experience and fill their travels with delightful memories, we have partnered with these talents to again reiterate our continuing support of the local art and creative community and to provide them with a viable platform to showcase their immersive artworks to art enthusiasts alike. We are truly inspired to see this level of creativity on display, and we are excited to lend our support in ensuring that their careers flourish”.
Known for actively giving back to its community, the hotel projects this creative exhibition as an added means to enrich networking in its community, to enhance positive conversations and to elevate guests experience by going beyond the norms of traditional hospitality. In attendance over a two-day period, there were art lovers, collectors, and cultural enthusiasts from across Lagos.
The exhibition, curated and moderated by artist Emmanuel Bankole, immersed guests in a world of visual storytelling and emotional resonance, giving a perfect balance of art, creative thinking and sophistication. With vivid paintings, detailed pencil sketches, and thought-provoking caricatures, each piece reflected an intriguing message about unity and our community.

As Radisson Hotel Lagos Ikeja continues to captivate guests with deep symbolism and artistic finesse, the luxury hotel also offers an array of modern facilities, including private meeting rooms and unique spaces for family, relaxation, children and other guests, all perfect for private and social events.

About Us

Centrally located in Ikeja’s Government Reservation Area (GRA), our Radisson Hotel, Lagos Ikeja is a chic, business-friendly hotel and offers a quiet oasis within easy reach of Nigeria’s largest city. As the capital of Lagos, Ikeja is a bustling commercial hub filled with government offices, corporations, and the Murtala Muhammed International and local Airport (LOS) all located just minutes from our hotel. At our hotel, guests can discover convenient services and facilities, enjoy a variety of delicious all-day dining options, and relax in our on-site bars. Our modern meeting and event spaces offer the ideal venue for a range of events. With our comfortable rooms and thoughtful amenities, everything is in place for a memorable stay.

Discover more: https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-lagos-ikeja/services

15/06/2025

Lately, I’ve observed a growing concern—shared by both women and men—about the silent expectations placed on fathers. So often, they’re expected to keep giving, regardless of whether they can do so.

This made me pause and reflect on the meaning of fathering, which is simply defined as “the act of raising a child as a father.” But we all know it’s so much more—it’s sacrifice, love, guidance, and strength, often given quietly and without applause.

As we celebrate today, my heartfelt prayer is that God grants me—and every father—the grace, wisdom, and strength to nurture our children with intention and love.

Happy Father’s Day to all the incredible dads around the world!

Inside Watch Africa -IWA

15/07/2025

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