CONSERVATIONS NIGERIA

Tag: ecotourism

  • Dominica named ‘Tourism Location of the Future’ in FDI strategy ranking

    Dominica named ‘Tourism Location of the Future’ in FDI strategy ranking

    The Commonwealth of Dominica is one of the top 20 tourism locations of the future in terms of its foreign direct investment strategy. This is according to a new report issued on Monday by the fDi Intelligence, a service from the Financial Times. The Nature Isle of the Caribbean leads with hotels development and investment, ecotourism, wellness, climate resilient strategy and incentives for businesses.

    READ ALSO: Ecotourism industry to grow remarkably for the next five years — new report

    The FDI Strategy category in the Tourism Locations of the Future 2019/20 found that the hotel construction sector benefitted from the largest investments in Dominica. Importantly, though hotel numbers are purposely kept relatively low, their scale, sustainable approach and consideration for the local communities is what makes them stand out. The Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme is funding the construction of a select portfolio of resorts on the scenic island.

    READ ALSO: Ecotourism company announces cut in plastic use

    “The most significant foreign investments made in Dominica during the past year were hotel properties, partly financed by funds from the Citizenship by Investment Programme,” the report highlights. “These include Tranquility Beach, part of the Hilton Curio Collection, and Anichi Resort & Spa, part of the Marriot Autograph Collection.”

    Through CBI, foreign investors can obtain Dominican citizenship so long as they pass all due diligence checks and make a minimum US$200,000 investment into CBI-approved real estate, such as the aforementioned resorts that are currently under construction, but also the already operational Jungle Bay and Secret Bay. Kempinski CBI shares are sold out, however, a new hotel called Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort and Spa has been approved for CBI and has already broken ground. Together, they build Dominica’s foundation for an emerging ecotourist sector with a diverse wellness offering. The same report notes that the island “attracts eco-tourists with its lush rainforests, mountains, waterfalls and volcanoes and offers various eco-lodges and resorts to accommodate visitors.”

    Alternatively, eligible investors hoping to obtain second citizenship from Dominica could make a one-off contribution of at least US$100,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund. The government uses these funds to build climate resilience, which takes the form of reinforced modern infrastructure, hurricane-resistant housing or harnessing green energy.

    The report also found Dominica to have attractive incentives for investors. If coupled with obtaining economic citizenship, the benefits to investors grow, enhanced by Dominica’s promising development prospects.

  • Ogun Assembly members call for more forest guards in conservation areas

    Ogun Assembly members call for more forest guards in conservation areas

    Lawmakers from Ogun House of Assembly have highlighted the need for improvement in managing the state’s forest reserves to boost its economy.

    Members of the House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, led by Mr Sylvester Abiodun, the committee chairman also called on the state government to urgently revive the ecotourism sector of the state by overhauling facilities in the conservation areas.

    Abiodun made the call last week while on an assessment and budget monitoring tour to the State Forestry Plantation Project in Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state.

    The lawmaker condemned the low level of security of the reserves, urging the management to take proactive measures at ensuring effective security to protect economic trees.

    He also advised the management team to improve the revenue base of the reserve while ensuring holistic deployment of more forest guards.

    The project Manager of the reserve, Mr Waheed Adebosin, said that the 676.2 square metres of agricultural facility required facility upgrade.

    He said that the upgrade would maintain the fast-growing reserve for industrial usage and ecosystem preservation.

    Adebosin added that N34 million was generated between January and June from road taxes, contractor registration fee and earnings from a plantation scheme, plants and equipment.

  • Abu Dhabi prepares for post oil economy with ecotourism development

    Abu Dhabi prepares for post oil economy with ecotourism development

    Abu Dhabi has initiated an ecotourism drive to encourage private-sector investment in undeveloped parts of the emirate – particularly its islands and the Mirfa coastal region.

    The move is part of the Ghadan 21 programme, announced by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, in 2018. Ghadan 21, which means Tomorrow, is an initiative intended to boost the private sector and prepare Abu Dhabi for a post-oil economy.

    The scheme which was underlined at an event on Tuesday formally began in January, with yesterday’s event designed to take place six months into the three-year programme, with the overarching aim of reducing the economy’s reliance on fossil fuels.

    “We have a very clear vision to diversify the economy away from oil,” said Rashed Al Blooshi, undersecretary at Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.

    “As a result we have put very clear steps in place to shift the economy. We have huge potential to do so, and to proceed with that we have come up with these initiatives, with the close cooperation of the private sector.”

    The open data programme will enable potential investors and other parties to ask Abu Dhabi Data Authority for information held by the government, which will help them make informed decisions. The move is designed to create an “open data culture”.

  • Ecotourism company announces cut in plastic use

    Ecotourism company announces cut in plastic use

    Wilderness Safaris, an ecotourism company with headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana has announced its plan to eliminate single-use plastics in its operations in Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe by providing reusable bottles for guests.

    The company made the announcement on Monday, saying it is in line with the environmental action it took in Botswana and in Rwanda. The company has camps and mobile safaris across eight African countries.

    According to the company’s Group Sustainability Coordinator Warren Ozorio, decreasing the use of plastic remains a priority, especially plastic bottles.

    “Wilderness Safari is also currently paying attention to food waste in our kitchens, and making efforts to produce smart and sustainable menus,” Ozorio added.

    The project not only reduces wastes, but also addresses immense logistical challenges in areas where Wilderness Safaris camps are located, the sustainability coordinator said.

    He also said the company’s ultimate goal is to become completely plastic-free in all its operations.

    “Even though our official campaign was launched in 2018, Wilderness Safaris has been working on waste reduction since we began operating back in the 1980s, and while the reduction of plastic is our main objective – with recycling as a last resort – we are currently also paying attention to food waste in our kitchens, and making efforts to produce smart and sustainable menus. Our ultimate goal is to become completely plastic-free in all our regions”, confirms Ozorio.

  • Consider Gombe for your next northern trip

    Consider Gombe for your next northern trip

    The mention of travel to any part of Northern Nigeria gives a lot of people the jitters. Many things come to their minds — terror. But there are great secure destinations there. Gombe is a good example. Gombe whose capital city is also named Gombe is bordered by Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Adamawa and Bauchi. The state was created out of Bauchi State on 1st October 1996 by the late General Sanni Abacha’s Administration. Nicknamed Jewel of the Savannah, the state is home to the headquarters of many international intervention organisations catering to the needs of Internally displaced people who are victims of the Boko Haram crisis.

    Travel

    For lovers of road trips, there are many ways to go about the trip. The first way (if you are coming from Lagos) is to get a straight bus from Jibowu, Yaba or Ijora all in Lagos. The trip takes 18 to 20 hours by road, not adding the toilet and food stops along the road and the bus fare ranges from N6,000 to N13,000. The second is to break the trip into two. Take a bus to Abuja, from Iwo road (Ibadan), Kuto (Abeokuta) or Yaba (Lagos). From Abuja, take another bus to Gombe from Nyanya or Jabi Park, it takes only six hours to Gombe from Abuja. The cost is roughly the same, but the sites to see are so much more.

    By air, it can get cumbersome a bit. There are only two airlines flying that route regularly – Arik Air and Azman. Arik Airline travels to Gombe via Abuja on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday. Sometimes the layover can be up to eight hours. Azman airline travels to Gombe via Abuja only on Mondays and it is not regular.

    Dressing

    Gombe has two distinct climates, the dry season between November and March; and the rainy season between April and October with an average rainfall of 850mm. The heat can be very much during the dry season so make sure to consult your weatherman before you take the trip.

    Accommodation

    There are many hotels in Gombe, but many international visitors to the state lodge at 1. The Custodian Hotel and 2. The Gombe International Hotel.

    The Custodian Hotel is a four-star hotel with a cozy appeal. It is located in the heart of the town, in an easily accessible and serene neighbourhood. It is only about 20 minutes drive from Gombe Airport. The hotel has a small restaurant that serves both local and continental dishes that are not bad at all. It also has a 100-seater conference hall that is almost always booked. The hotel offers laundry, car hire and shuttle service to the airport. The rooms prices range from N70,000 to N16, 000 per night. The service is not bad and the staff are very polite and helpful. The only downside is its terribly unreliable free wifi service.

    Gombe International Hotel has a vast collection of sports facilities, including a swimming pool tennis court and a well-equipped gym. It is about 15 minutes from the airport. The hotel has nice lounges and the rooms are well furnished. The large conference halls in the hotels make it a destination for many events so for someone looking for a serene environment to meditate or write, it may not be the best. Apart from its being prone to rowdiness, the service many times can get very poor. Price per night ranges from N120,000 to N20,000.

    Other hotels are Flourish, Bulma, Dan Arewa, Zuma Royal among others, rooms can cost as low as N3000 in these hotels.

    What to do

    For lovers of nature, this is indeed the jewel of the savannah, co-housing the popular Yankari Game Reserve with Bauchi State. It is not to be confused with the Gombe Stream National Park in, Tanzania. The popular Yankari Game reserve. Places to visit in Gombe include the Emir’s Palace, Bima Hills, Gombe State University, the Federal University Kashere, State Polytechnique Bajoga, College of Education Billiri and the Ashaka Cement Company, Ashaka, Funakaye Local Government. You can also visit the Tangale Hill, the Kilang Hill, Popandi Village, Kaltungo Deba Local Government.

    There is also the historical Tula Battlefield, where the British first attacked and fought the Tula people. You should also visit the Tomb of Bubayero Gombe Abba. Bubayero is the patriarch of the Sukku emirate and his tomb is registered as a national monument.


    Food
    Gombe like every other state in the north all have foods like miyan kuka, and the several tuwo varieties in common. There is also fura de nono and kunun tsamia. The state also has a fine  collection of kilishi and dambu nama maker. So, do well to have a taste of the skillfully prepared meat delicacies when you go to Gombe.

  • Ecotourism industry to grow remarkably for the next five years — new report

    Ecotourism industry to grow remarkably for the next five years — new report

    The global Ecotourism market is anticipated to grow significantly during the forecast period 2019 to 2025, Market Research has shown.  The forecast was made in a report titled “Global Ecotourism Market Size, Status and Forecast 2019-2025. The report also presents market size, share, trend, demand, industry outlook and competitors analysis with growth in the global Ecotourism market. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.

    The 105-paged reports used tables and figures to expound the topic while also providing information on the competitors and the specific growth opportunities with key market drivers.

    The report studies the Global Ecotourism market, analyzes and researches the Ecotourism development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia.

    Ecotourism Industry analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions’ development status. The report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure.