By Aliyu DANLADI
One of Africa’s largest hospitality groups, Sun International, has strengthened its partnership with the Nigerian travel trade partners by giving them awards for their outstanding performances in 2018.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Moshhod Abdullai, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Topcomm Integrated Marketing Company and made available to newsmen on Wednesday.
TBI Africa quoted that the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Topcomm manages South African hotel and hospitality companies in Nigeria.
Abdullai said that Didier Bayeye, the Marketing Manager of Sun International for West Africa and Indian Ocean, in the statement commended Nigeria’s travel agencies’ performances in Year 2018.
He said the awards were also to appreciate top and loyal travel agents who promoted the brand in Year 2018.
He added that they also did well in a lifestyle cruise held recently along the Lagos waterways.
Bayeye was quoted as saying that Diamonds and Pearls Travels and Tours, Afro Tourism, Njetours scooped the top achiever’s awards while 1860 Travels and Apeiron Global won the loyalty awards.
Abdullai also quoted the marketing manager as adding that the last event was the second edition of the annual Sun International award.
He said that Bayeye noted that the awards were to continuously appreciate the outstanding efforts and doggedness of Nigeria’s travel trade partners.
He said that the companies’ awards had prioritised the selling of Sun International properties to Nigerian travellers.
“Our Nigerian travel trade partners are outstanding supporters of our brand, Sun International, who despite the many competitions in the South African hospitality industry, showed wholesome commitment to our brand.
“The Maslow in Johannesburg, Table Bay in Cape Town, Time Square in Pretoria to Sun City and, indeed, all other Sun International properties across South Africa, received a quality number of Nigerian visitors in 2018.
“These were orchestrated by our Nigerian trade partners,” he said.
The statement said that one of the beneficiaries, Wonuola Lamidi, the Co-founder of Diamond and Pearls Travels appreciated the recognition from the organisation.
She promised to continue selling the brand as their customers were excited at all the Sun International properties visited in the past.
The statement added that Ohis Ehimiaghe, South African Airways Regional Manager, North, West and Central Africa and Thekiso Rakolojane, the new South African Tourism Regional Manager, West Africa based in Lagos attended the event.
