Corporate Akwa Ibom Community

11/08/2022

, Nigeria to the world.

25/07/2022

Covid 19: More African Destinations Open Up!

Airlink to up St Helena frequency

Independent Southern African airline, Airlink, will increase the frequency of flights between Johannesburg and Jamestown, St Helena, to a weekly service from October 15.

This is in line with plans by the St Helena Government to lift COVID-19 quarantine, testing and mask-wearing restrictions from August 8, along with the reopening of tourism facilities, including the South Atlantic island’s Mantis hotel, which is planning to open its doors again, from mid-October.

“Airlink is preparing to ramp-up services between the African mainland and St Helena, with a view to returning to weekly flights by mid-October. St Helena is a unique destination with a community of 4 200 people. To date, it has managed to avoid exposure to the various strains of COVID-19. Airlink is working in tandem with the local authorities and St Helena’s tourism and hospitality sector, to safely increase flights to and from the island,” said Airlink CEO and MD, Rodger Foster.

Airlink operates a 98-seat Embraer E-190 jetliner on the Johannesburg-St Helena route, with a refuelling stop at Walvis Bay on the Namibian coast. The total journey time is approximately six hours.

In addition, Airlink provides a monthly charter service between St Helena and Ascension Island almost 1 300km away.

Airlink began flying the Johannesburg-Jamestown route in November 2017 under contract to the St Helena Government and is the island’s only scheduled airline service.

After the COVID pandemic caused an almost two-year hiatus, Airlink resumed flights with a fortnightly service in March this year. Although 98% of St Helena residents are vaccinated, most have not been exposed to COVID-19 or any of its variants. Until its COVID entry restrictions are lifted on August 8, visitors to the island have to quarantine and comply with testing requirements.

23/05/2022

Time for more inclusive policy programmes to FULLY recover the tourism, travel and Hospitality sector in Africa.

Africa’s airlift slow to recover

ICAO says the latest air traffic figures reveal clear signs of a strong global recovery in air traffic.

But while the body expects that 2019’s total seat capacity will have returned to Europe, North America, Western Asia and Latin America by the end of 2022, its analysis shows that Africa is expected to recover last of all ICAO’s regions, with its seat capacity returning to pre-pandemic levels only by 2024/5.

Globally, the number of air passengers carried from January to April 2022 increased by 65% compared with that period in 2021, while aircraft flight departures increased by 30%. Airline seat capacity grew by 32% during the same period.

ICAO’s expectation is that by the end of 2022, total seat capacities within and between North America, Europe, the Middle East, South-West Asia, and the Latin America/Caribbean region will closely approach their pre-pandemic levels.

Recovery in the Asia-Pacific and Africa regions continues to be more challenging, with a recovery of full seat capacity expected in Asia and Pacific by 2023-24, and in Africa by 2024-25.

“These recovery indicators are highly encouraging,” stressed ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar, “and most especially with respect to the re-opened travel and tourism markets and other positive economic and sustainability benefits which inevitably result from expanded international seat capacity and air connectivity.”

“There is still much to be done, however, and I look forward to the point where we can announce the full recoveries of all world regions.”

ICAO’s ongoing efforts to work with governments and industry to reconnect the world is expected to get another boost this September, when the 41st ICAO Assembly will be held with in-person attendance of the civil aviation delegates from the UN agency’s 193 Member States.

“ICAO has established ‘Innovation’ and ‘Resilience’ as the co-themes for this year’s Assembly and we expect some important decisions from States on how to prioritise current efforts to digitise a contactless travel experience, and to promote more of the latest innovations in aircraft design and propulsion now taking place,” Salazar said

13/07/2021

Ibom Tourism Industry Takes a Leap...
Mark Your Calendar as a core segment of the hospitality industry builds capacity, and make Plans to Attend the ...

, Nigeria

SPONSORED

Hotel Managers Conference Holds in Uyo, Nigeria

To ensure continuous tourism development and drive to improve the performance of hotel managers in Nigeria, top-rated resource personnel have been listed to share their wealth of experience in the sector, especially as it relates to the hospitality industry during the forthcoming third edition of Hotel Managers’ Conference [HMC].

The renowned tourism scholar and hospitality expert, Professor Wasiu Babalola will be the lead speaker at the 2-day event billed to hold on July 15 and 16, 2021, at the Rosmohr Gold Hotels, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Other speakers include the President, Women in Hospitality and founder, Calabar Hospitality House [CHH], Justina Ovat, the former General Manager and Director of Finance, Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort and Country Manager, International Hospitality Institute, Brian Efa, and others.

The Convener HMC, and Lead Consultant, Tojum Hospitality, Olugbenga Sunday, disclosed that the theme of the event is Hotel Sales, Service, and Standard, adding, “The forthcoming conference has attracted participants across the globe. The idea is to bridge the gap between international hospitality brands and indigenous brands both in administrative and general operating standards through annual gathering where hotel practitioners in Africa meet with hospitality experts with global relevance and draw timely knowledge for professional exploits.”

Sunday further said: “The event is endorsed by the Government of Akwa Ibom State through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Institute of Hospitality UK-Nigeria Branch, International Hospitality Institute, Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria, The Associations of Tourism and Hospitality Consultants in Nigeria, Women in Hospitality Nigeria and Hospitality Consultants and Managers Associations of Nigeria.

12/07/2021

please step up advocacy efforts for similar capacity programs in Nigeria.

Leadership programme trains youth in hospitality

Marriott International, in partnership with the University of Stellenbosch Business School Executive Development, has launched a year-long leadership development programme.

Khulanathi, which means ‘grow with us’, has been designed exclusively for internal employment equity participants to access world-class leadership theory, teachers, and on-the-job mentorship.

The inaugural 2021 Khulanathi cohort, which launched last month, consists of 10 participants, seven of whom are female and work at Marriott International properties across the country.

The course includes online learning modules, targeted on-the-job training, and special projects with assigned mentors, which enable the participants to learn and put theory into practice in the workplace.

“When it comes to our leadership pipeline, we adhere to our long-held philosophy of growing leaders from within, and investing in the development of our people to see them thrive in their careers,” says the Chief Human Resources Officer, EMEA Marriott International, Francisca Martinez.

Based on a Marriott talent development model, the curriculum includes Business and Economics, Financial Management, Marketing and Customer Service, People Management and Leadership competencies.

“It’s taken hard work and a lot of dedication to qualify for the Khulanathi programme, and now I am excited and proud to be part of the 2021 cohort. I am looking forward to learning from the best business teachers and developing my capabilities as a future leader in the Marriott International family,” says Rhodanthe Johannisen, currently employed as Food & Beverage Manager at Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Pretoria Menlyn.

Marriott International grants participants 40 days of study leave in addition to providing full bursaries for the course, which is certified as a management development programme of The University of Stellenbosch Business School Executive Development.

15/05/2021

Africa’s travel recovery on the horizon’ – report

Africa’s travel recovery will be fuelled by substantial pent-up demand, according to the ‘Africa Travel Recovery, Opportunity & Risks Research Brief’, by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company, written exclusively for Africa Travel Week.

Lockdown restrictions have suppressed a significant amount of demand, especially for leisure travel, and the easing of restrictions and continued vaccine progress will be essential to realise this latent travel demand, the report states.

While a more youthful population has minimised the impact of the health crisis in Africa, there are concerns regarding the region’s access to vaccines. However, the COVAX initiative has helped alleviate these anxieties by providing and campaigning for a more equitable distribution of vaccines.

While we wait for a return of international visitor arrivals – stymied by renewed coronavirus outbreaks and the emergence of 501Y.V2, first reported in South Africa – a strong domestic market and an uplift in short-haul travel will support the travel industry in the near-term, adds the report.

According to the report, domestic travel is set to account for 73% of total arrivals in 2021 – up from 55% in 2019. Reduced travel appetite for far-away travel will increase the short-haul share of international arrivals in 2021 to support markets that have been traditionally more dependent on longer-haul markets.

Lastly, continued infrastructure improvements, targeted tourism support and concentrated digital marketing campaigns could help stimulate future tourism growth. Infrastructure improvements and better use of digital platforms could help increase destination competitiveness. This could add to lingering demand for less-crowded destinations with outdoor activities and attractions, which will also be fuelled by a rise in more sustainable travel.

“While we grapple with the ever-changing environment, this Tourism Economics Report, shines a positive spotlight on the potential for tourism to Africa. Our role as Africa Travel Week is to keep the interest in travel to Africa burning by providing a dynamic platform for stakeholders to reconnect as we work together at Making Travel Happen Again,” says Megan Oberholzer, Portfolio Director: Travel, Tourism and Creative Industries at Reed Exhibitions Africa.

08/05/2021

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

DISCLAIMER!

The attention of Monty Suites and Golf, Uyo has been drawn to series of electronic mail messages circulated to members of the public and inviting applicants for a purported computer based test examinations intended for recruitment of successful applicants into the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), an agency of the United Nations System, wherein our hospitality outfit has been mentioned as one of the locations to accommodate applicants from Port Harcourt and Eket on Saturday, 8th may, 2021 through Sunday, 9th may, 2021.

Consequently, we wish to categorically and in certain terms disassociate our brand from such claims, and state clearly that we have not had any reservation(s) from any of the United Nations agencies against the stated dates, or any other date(s) for the purpose of hosting applicants for job examinations into any of the United Nations agencies.

Members of the public are by this notice therefore advised to disregard any form of communication linking our facility to any recruitment or examinations or interview into the United Nations Fund for Population Activities for 8th/9th May 2021, or any other day for that matter.

As a top-notch hospitality brand and industry leader in this part of the world, we shall continue to offer bespoke services to legitimate Organizations after due diligence checks have certified and assure of their credibility and quality standards.

MANAGEMENT

13/04/2021

Challenging times for the travel industry...

Only 11% of inbound staff on full pay

By: David Marsh

In March the number of people in the tourism sector on full pay dropped to 11%, according to AfricaTravelNews latest poll.

When the first survey was done at the end of January, 15% said they were getting their full salary when asked the question: “What percentage of your salary were you paid at the end of the month?”

Forty three percent of the industry said they had received less than 40% of their salary or nothing at all. This is slightly down from January when 50% said the same.

AfricaTravelNews sister publication, Tourism Update, conducted a similar survey for the retail travel sector in South Africa. The story is similar, but worse, in that 51% of respondents said in March they had received nothing or under 40% of their salary.

11/01/2021

Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly-Watch
Lunches a Constituency Engagement Facebook Show



The Management of AKHA-WATCH in a bid to Making the page more interactive and Engaging has decided to KickStart Live Streaming interactive Session Tagged CONSTITUENCY WATCH, a one hour live facebook program with the Sole Aim of Engaging individuals Who are frontliners in their respective Constituency to Contributed towards the Betterment,Enlightenment and Development of their Constituent.

(the context of Constituency here goes beyond the political context it Broadens to every Area of our lives)

This Maiden Edition is Geared towards Education, Following the recent Policy Document on Education of Akwa Ibom State, Education Roadmap (Vision 2030),
There's a need to re-evaluate and Reconsider Ways the Major Beneficiary which are the Students Could Navigate, Contribute and Re-engage to bring about the Effective implementation of the policy Document.

As such our Guest for this Edition is Comrade Faith Paulinus The Chairman National Association of Nigeria Student - Joint Campus Committee Akwa Ibom Axis (NANS-JCC) to Elaborate on the topic Below

Topic:THE JOURNEY TO 2030:
REDIFINING STUDENTS ROLES IN NAVIGATING THE AKWA IBOM EDUCATIONAL ROADMAP.

Date Monday 18 January
Time: 12pm

Follow via
www.facbook.com/akhawatch

20/12/2020

News

Supreme Court overturns Heathrow third runway ban

The Supreme Court has revived plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

The long-delayed, much-debated scheme was previously blocked by the Appeal Court, which had argued the current airport strategy from the government did not meet up-to-date UK climate targets.

However, in a case argued by Friends of the Earth, the Supreme Court has ruled the strategy was legitimately based on previous, less stringent, climate targets at the time it was agreed.

The firm behind Heathrow can now seek planning permission for the runway, the court said.

Commenting on the news, a Heathrow spokesperson said: “This is the right result for the country, which will allow global Britain to become a reality.

“Demand for aviation will recover from Covid-19, and the additional capacity at an expanded Heathrow will allow Britain as a sovereign nation to compete for trade and win against our rivals in France and Germany.

“Heathrow has already committed to net zero and this ruling recognises the robust planning process that will require us to prove expansion is compliant with the climate change obligations, including the Paris Climate Agreement, before construction can begin.

27/11/2020

Good News...

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SIR MONTY EXTRA OPENS UYO

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For residents of Ikpa Road Axis and it's environs, Sir Monty Extra is opening on Tuesday 1st December 2020 @ #1 Ikpa Road, opposite University of Uyo First Gate..

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