You and I with Monalisa partners Goge Africa to promote Destination West Africa Project
By CHIKA CHIMEZIE
This is definitely cheering news for the teeming fans of revered Nollywood star and TV talk show host, Monalisa Chinda-Coker.
Information reaching DAYLIGHTng has it that Chinda’s multiple award-winning show on DSTV, You and I with Monalisa is currently partnering with Goje Africa and others to revamp and revitalise tourism in West Africa.
Tagged: Destination West Africa Project, the aim of this laudable initiative is basically to encourage Africans to travel Africa.
In a brief chat with us, the amiable thespian disclosed that they will be visiting tourist attractions to shine the light on destinations with the aim of promoting trade, culture and business.
“Also, we will be exploring further opportunities in West African and Nigerian tourisms.
We also look forward to sharing the beauty of our common heritage, cultural similarities among others.
Most importantly, we look forward to engaging the youths in these areas to further consolidate on the gains and importance of tourism.
And since I have a platform and a huge following, we intend to bring these places to the front burner in the scheme of global markets and visitations.
Also, as the host of You and I with Monalisa, the pan African TV talk show since 2015, our sixth season focuses primarily on tourism and its huge potentials especially on the African continent,” she stated.
While speaking further on the project, the organisers also gave more insight in the detailed statement below:
“Intra Africa travel and tourism has had its challenges bordering from lack of awareness of its destinations, to barriers that impede air travel. This has further been exacerbated in a post pandemic era.
Having identified the gaps in domesticating Intra-Africa tourism, Goge Africa and its partners have come together to launch the *Destination West Africa project*.
This project is to encourage Africans to travel Africa but the campaign kicks off with the West coast of Africa.”
The organisers also stated that the first leg will see them touring four West African countries namely Benin, Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast starting from Nigeria.
While the second leg, will take them to Gambia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea Conakry, respectively.
“As travel and tourism rebounds, the organizers are advocating for the lowering of barriers and cost of intra- Africa travel especially on the west coast to enable tourists explore the gems it has to offer rather than making Dubai, America or Europe their first choice as what comes to mind of a tourist is affordability and accessibility not forgetting the visa-free opportunity that the ECOWAS sub region provides for West African travellers.”
Interestingly, the laudable project will see the organizers engage with government, policy makers, tourism boards and stakeholders in host countries, to further expand the frontiers of tourism in Nigeria.
“The team will visit tourist attractions to shine the light on destinations with the aim to promote trade and economic activities within the region.
Tourism, culture and business opportunities in West Africa will be hugely explored.
The project will also attract Nigerian travelling population to visit West African countries.
Draw the attention of world travellers to West Africa.
Share the beauty of our common heritage, cultural similarities and diversity with one another and the global community.
Position partnering countries as must visit destinations in Africa.
Finally, this project will increase sales and business activities for partners and brands involved in this project.”
They further added that: “Without standardization, destinations will not have repeat tourists. To this end, the organizers will support and collaborate with stakeholders and available legal authorities to ensure that international best practices are applied in all tourism services across the region.”
Meanwhile, each leg of the project will take a minimum of two weeks. The team comprises of destination promoters, tour operators, media, bloggers, influencers, travel and tourism advocacy groups, TV show hosts and celebrities.
Amazingly, the historic tours will be broadcast on Goge Africa with over 40million viewers, You and I with Monalisa on DSTV. It will also be reported in the print media with live updates on various channels online to millions globally.
“The organizers are excited and boast that some of the best attractions in the world are in West Africa and have taken it upon themselves to showcase these gems and the unbeaten paths less travelled. The *Destination West Africa project* has received overwhelming response from participating countries as stakeholders laud the initiative and say it’s a project whose time has come,” hinted one of the promoters.
