History was made on Saturday 6th February, as the winners of the fourth edition of Nigeria Tourism Awards were announced via a virtual event. Nigeria Tourism Awards, also known as The Balearica Awards, named and design after the Crowned Crane which was once voted the national bird of Nigeria, has held for the previous three years at the luxury Federal Palace Hotel. The organisers, however switched to a virtual event for this edition due to the rising numbers of the Covid-19 infections in Nigeria and the health risks of large gatherings.
It was also the first time that the winners of the awards were determined by a new scoring process. The potential winners were judged and scored on the set criteria for their category. For the previous editions the winners were determined via public nominations and online voting. The number of awards were also increased from 24 to 44 for this edition to cover the diverse nature of the tourism industry.
According to the CEO of the awards, Mr. Efetobo Awhana,
“2020 was indeed a difficult year for every practitioner in the tourism
industry…. Nigeria Tourism Awards 2020 recognises those tourism firms and individuals
who have gone out of their way to boost domestic tourism whilst Covid-19
ravaged the world”
The most anticipated categories for 2020 went to
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Best Tourism Governor), Otunba Segun Runsewe
(Tourism Personality of the Year), Dr Adebisi Obawale (Best Tourism
Commissioner), Alado of Ado Awaye, HRM Oba Ademola Folakanmi (Royal Support for
Tourism), and Omotoke Fatoki (Young Tourism Personality of the Year). Lifetime
Achievement Awards went to Chief Mike Amachree and Mr Jemi Alade.
There were also special recognition awards for Hon.
Rotimi Amaechi (Tourism Infrastructure); Conservator-General of National Park
Service, Dr Ibrahim Goni (Essential Duties); Prince Adeyanju Lipede (Tourism
Investment) and Sterling Bank (Tourism Support). Others who received the
individual awards include the National President of NANTA, Mrs Susan Akporiaye;
National President of ATBOWATON, Mr Ganiyu Tarzan Balogun; MD of Sprints
Travels, Mrs Bunmi Aremu; MD of Aviator Travels, Mrs Tinuke Nwakohu; MD of
Traveltron, Mrs Bimbo Durosinmi-Etti; DG of CRIMMD, Dr Raphael James and the DG
of NTDC, Mr Folorunsho Coker.
Some of the outstanding tourism brands who won their
categories for 2020 include Z Kitchen (Premium Dining Restaurant), Tamberma Ibadan
(Best Ethnic Restaurant), Work And Play (Best Tourism Promotion Initiative),
Radisson Blu Anchorage Lagos (Best International Chain Hotel), Transcorp
Calabar (Best Independent Brand Hotel), Jara Beach Resort (Best Beach Hotel),
La Campagne Tropicana (Best Resort), TVC News (Best Tourism Support Media),
Angel Style World Travels (Best Domestic Tour Operator), Zee Goes (Best Travel
Blog) and Badagry (Best Tourism Destination). The Envoy Hotel Abuja went home
with two awards for Best Boutique Hotel (More Than 50 Rooms) and Best Luxury
Hotel.
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