Summer Holidays Boom Despite Harsh Economy

As you read this article, many Nigerians are already enjoying this year’s summer vacation in some exotic destinations across the world.

From luxurious beach resorts, city hotels, safari lodges to rented and personal apartments, the destinations are feeling the presence of Nigerian holidaymakers.
Of course, some are onboard luxurious sea cruise lines, which slowly and majestically tour the world on water.

But the above, which is a reality, is also against the backdrop of another reality at home.

With the volatile naira, soaring foreign exchange, expensive, yet stressful visas, which make trips outside the country and even to neighboring African countries unnecessarily expensive, one would have thought that by now, Nigerians’ huge appetite for summer vacation would have suffered a major setback.

But the reverse seems the case. BusinessDay Sunday’s investigation revealed that the outbound legs of most foreign airlines operating in the country are still full today with Nigerian passengers, especially holidaymakers and those going for medical tourism.

Considering the huge cost required to fund foreign trips, amid the harsh economy, some observers wonder if the wanderlust are running on a different economy in the country.

With the unimaginable high exchange rate of over N1,500 for $1USD as at today, concerned observers lament that an average summer traveller needs lots of foreign exchange, which put more pressure on the already weak Nigerian currency.

Moreover, the average economy class return ticket goes between N1.2 million and almost N2 million, depending on the distance and destination,
standard accommodation abroad is from $200 per night, while tour packages, cinema, and other fun activities including local transport, go from $50.

Looking at the cost, and doing a mental calculation of the worth in naira, it means only those with very deep pockets can go for summer.

The huge cash required makes one to ask if every holidaymaker on the airplane, jetting out of the country, comfortably funded his or her summer vacation. Then, those who fly business class must have deeper pockets.
Johnson Uankhide, CEO, Almates Travels and Tours Ltd, Abuja, noted that those travelling now have capacity to do so because of the obvious economic realities in the country.

He explained that the volume of travellers, especially for summer has declined due to the high cost of foreign trips now, but that many are still travelling because they have the means to do so and that it is not all but summer, but family reunion, opportunity to attend to businesses and properties abroad, among other reasons.
Chinda Elue, a Port Harcourt-based travel agent, toed the same line, saying that despite the harsh economy, many ‘big boys’ are travelling, with some maintaining homes in Nigeria and London, Canada or USA.

“Yes, our business suffered decline, almost 50 percent in the last two years of Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and continued in the first year of this administration, but things are beginning to pick up. We are breaking even again. People cry that there is no money, but they still jet out for weddings, birthdays, to give birth and even baby shower. These are fellow Nigerians. So, summer or no summer, people will travel, may be not like before. But not the Japa people,” Elue said.

Salami Junaid, an Ikeja Lagos-based travel agent and tour operator, noted that apart from the government support, lately,  more Nigerians are self-funding their pilgrimage, especially to Mecca and Israel.
“Overtime, I have profiled my clients and understand their financial capacity and travel ideas. So, I also sell summer packages to them and patronage has been fantastic. I win them by introducing the benefits of balanced trips, sometime spiritual and another time purely for leisure, in order to live healthy enough to go on another pilgrimage. It works, those you will vow will not visit some destinations are doing so this summer. They are enjoying their money, whether hard-earned or not,” Junaid noted.

Quest to maintain status symbol fuels crave 

But some others differ in their opinion on the booming summer vacation in the midst of today’s economic realities.

For them, some people that jet out for summer today are doing so for the sake of status symbol, and can go to any length, including borrowing, to fund their trips

Chimezie Ogunka, a retail banker, who once managed promotions at the peak of the scramble for Nigerian visitors by South Africa Tourism and Dubai Tourism, noted that many will not take advantage of the usually discounted promotions, but will come when they end to apply for loans to fund their holiday.

Many go into debt to sustain passion

“I have severally asked some of them to forgo the trip because of their seeming inability to service the loan and even those with ability because the cost is huge.

“I only succeeded with four customers but wished I could discourage more  because it is all for status symbol. Oh, I was in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, London’s Trafalgar Square, New York restaurant, Caribbeans with turtles and nothing more.

“So, they return to even ask for more loans to pay new session’s school fees and house rent,” he said.

For him, summer should be an intentional and beneficial project, but not a must-do when there are more pressing needs or genuine reasons to skip it.
“When I was at GTBank, one of my colleagues left for summer a day after his father’s burial. Family members and even some friends were shocked when they saw his pictures at an American airport, train station and hotel on social media. If I were him, I would skip it and make the next year’s outing bigger.
So, it is all for status symbol. But nobody cares,” he said

Chijoke Umelahi, an Abuja lawyer, agreed with Ogunka, saying that his estate in Abuja is empty now as many landlords have temporarily relocated abroad in the name of summer holiday.

“One called the estate secretary to send link for virtual participation in the monthly meeting. Those who went for the meeting complained that three landlords were busy showcasing their luxurious hotel rooms and things they were enjoying instead of offering useful contributions. Sadly, some younger landlords saw it as a challenge and have started making plans for summer holiday in a foreign destination next year. It is all for the show of it,” Umelahi said.

But Sam Ikpeme, an aviation personnel, described the unnecessary quest for summer holiday abroad as a bad habit, both for those who have the money and those who borrow to fund it.

“We Nigerians learn bad habits very easily. I have worked with Indians and Pakistanis, they earn more than you but choose to live moderate lifestyle. Why leave your country to spend money that can get things running again here and get more people employed.
I rather travel out on work than leisure because it will become a habit you will always crave to nurture. That is why people borrow money to fund summer holiday, to host big parties and other unnecessary things,” he said.

Need to promote domestic tourist destinations canvassed

Pointing a way out, Bolaji Mustapha, president, Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), said that across the length and breadth of Nigeria are abundant tourism attractions and amazing destinations, which many people jettison, while some foreigners fly in to enjoy them.
“We have to look inwards to our many natural and even man-made offerings across the country to save money on the expensive airfare, accommodation and the stress of long haul trips, this summer and across the year,” Mustapha said.

According to her, “Ondo has a lot to offer in terms of tourism, Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort is amazing, Lagos beaches are world-class, Cross River’s nature at Obudu Mountain Resort is alluring, Akwa Ibom is blissful, Jos is haven for adventurers, Osogbo, Ife, Argungu, Ilorin and Kano thrill with splendid culture, especially Durba festival, among others.
“Let’s visit our home-groomed destinations to grow patronage, boost domestic tourism, create jobs and make tourism count in the economy.”
Mike Ushie, a telecom engineer and an indigene of Obubra in Cross River State, noted that he enjoyed his summer at Smokin Hills, Ilara Mokin, close to Akure in Ondo State, last year.
“It is a golf resort, but I enjoyed the golf more than the players. The wonderful nature, tranquility and world class facilities, made me to forget the pressure from my South African employer for the eight days I stayed. I saw the alluring views of the cloud kissing the hills. Food was great, security perfect, but I am on training this year and cannot leave until November,” Ushie said.
Even in the South-East, especially Owerri and Enugu, there are many world class resorts and leisure centres to unwind this summer. The Enugu State Government is investing heavily to upgrade Nike Lake Resort in partnership with Landmark, amid enabling infrastructure at Awhum Waterfalls, Coal Mine, lakes and mountains offerings.
While many complain of high domestic airfares and insecurity, Elue urged them to plan ahead, starting by saving for their first or next holiday today.
“We paint the country black in terms of insecurity. But our people go for pilgrimage while the host country is at war, some wish to die there. You complain of gunmen, but they kill in US schools and public places, yet our people will visit, Dubai will maltreat us, hike airfare, even ban us from coming, yet our people pay anything to visit. We should be a bit patriotic, patronise our own and encourage others to visit us too.

“We need to let go the wrong notion that anything foreign is superior. East Africans, especially Kenyans are all in their destinations enjoying summer. The government encourages it with incentives like cheaper rates for its nationals and hotels comply with it. Our government should go beyond promises to support domestic tourism,” she admonished.
But whether for status symbol or for genuine reasons, many travel experts noted that Nigerians can still have memorable summer holiday experiences at home, while supporting domestic tourism and travel businesses, boosting job opportunities and impacting the economy generally.