Colossus Gists

The aviation sector is key to the growth of the tourism and hospitality industry as over 57% of international tourists now travel by air. It is, therefore, not a surprise that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently said that air transport contributed $8.2 billion to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

This figure will no doubt increase astronomically if Nigeria’s aviation sector can be repositioned for better service delivery. However, before this can be achieved, there are certain challenges that need to be addressed.

The first point of call for any international tourist is the airport. Hence, it has to offer first class services right from the point of entry. Nobody wants to visit a place where they will be harassed by the airport, customs or immigration officials like it is the case in some Nigerian airports.

A smart and tech solution to largely bypass some of these officials in the interim is for you to book your flight with Jumia’s hotel and flight services arm, Jumia Travel and ensure that you check-in early.

Jumia Travel has simplified the task by enabling you to search domestic and international flights offered by major airlines in Africa at the cheapest price. You can also find and compare flights, book/buy flights and buy air tickets online with ease using Jumia Travel.

This will not only save you a lot of time but will also ensure that you get through security quicker without too many hassles at the airport.

Unequivocally, the aviation sector is capital intensive. To run an airline, you need millions if not billions of dollars in your coffers. As such, quite a number of local airlines with huge potentials have gone under.

Beyond refurbishing the airport, airlines especially the local ones have to partner. The truth is only a handful of airlines can survive without partnership. On the government’s part, they need to consider granting the airlines' tax breaks.

Ultimately, this partnership will reduce airfares thus encouraging more Nigerians to travel. This automatically means that the hospitality/travel business will be smiling to the bank.

In this digital age, online marketplaces have been thriving, and have been a great place for independent retailers and vendors to sell more of their products and also build their brand.

A company like Jumia, Nigeria's no 1 shopping destination has made it easier for retailers to sell online via its marketplace. Today on the platform, there are thousands of vendors selling a wide variety of products and services that are leveraging on the Jumia platform to get Return On Investment. The process for signing up is seamless.

Despite this, there are still a handful of Nigerians who are still contemplating signing up to a marketplace. Below are some of the reasons you need to sign up now.

Increase sales

Who doesn’t want to increase their sales and profits? Well, taking advantage of e-commerce (selling online) can do just that. If you have inventory that isn’t selling take it online, there is great potential to increase your sales.

New customers

Selling online is a great chance to expand your presence and reach more customers. 80% of people who use the internet are shopping and by listing on a marketplace you can get your products in front of those shoppers. So if you want to go where people are shopping, the marketplace is an easy way to do that.

Sense of community

When you sell on a marketplace you become a part of a community filled with other independent sellers, vendors and retailers. But it’s not just other sellers, it gives you a chance to build a following of customers that are both local and global. You can also use marketplaces as a way to connect with other sellers that are similar to you or sell locally like you.

Increased Reach

So many Nigerians own smartphones that are internet enabled and a significant number of them use it to shop online. So just think about that for a second. You have the ability to reach millions of people daily. This is a good way to grow your business.

Low cost

There are going to be fees associated with using marketplaces to list your products but they are generally low, and they can cost you less than holding excess inventory.

If you love nature and want to be wowed beyond your imaginations, then you need to visit some of the breathtaking, captivating and astonishing waterfalls domiciled in different parts of Nigeria.

The warm and cool ambiance of these waterfalls makes it a perfect place to go for picnics, organize small parties as well as a getaway. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares some of the wonderful waterfalls to visit.

1. Agbokim Waterfall

Agbokim waterfall is located in Calabar, one of Nigeria's most popular tourist hubs. It is very close to the Nigerian-Cameroon border. The captivating and alluring serenity of the waterfall makes it a first choice among tourists from far and wide.

2. Olumirin Waterfall

Olumirin waterfall which means another deity is located in Erin Ijesha in Osun State. The water fall is a complex of 7 different rivers cascading along each other down a rich vegetation. It is an ideal place to admire the beauty and mystery of nature.

3. Gurara Waterfall

Gurara falls is located in Niger State. The fall is said to be a part of the Gurara River. It is a truly captivating place filled with exotic birds and beautiful scenery.

4. Awhum Waterfall

The Awhum waterfall is located along the Enugu-9th Mile expressway. The waterfall is breathtaking and cascades down a large rock formation to the animal life below.

5. Owu Waterfall

Owu Waterfall is a fascinating waterfall that is located in Kwara State. It cascades down 330 feet of water. The water is reported to be ice-cold and a delight to bathe in.

6. Farin Ruwa Waterfall

Farin Ruwa also known as white water sits in the boundary between Plateau state and Nasarawa state. The water run 150m down the cliff. The nature of the rocks makes it ideal for rock climbing and beautiful background pictures.

Traveling is challenging enough. But, if you throw in traveling to foreign countries with unfamiliar requirements, customs and laws, international travel seems daunting.

As such, Colossus Gists in partnership with Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, share items for your international travel checklist to ensure that your family’s international vacation gets off to a good start.

A. Check passports

Valid passports are a requirement for international travel. If you already have passports, check each family member’s passport expiration dates. Most countries require that passports are valid for three to six months after your ticketed departure date.

B. Visa requirements

In addition to passports, some countries require visas. These requirements could vary depending on the length of your stay or purpose of your trip. While some visa applications can be done online, you can visit the embassy of the destination you wish to visit to process your visa.

C. Get finances in order

If you are a regular international traveler, you must have used your debit cards to withdraw money at airports upon arrival. Know the fees associated with ATM withdrawals and international transactions. Also, do not hesitate to notify your bank (s) of the dates and countries you will be visiting. You may need them during the course of your travel.

D. Learn local customs and languages

One of the great things about traveling is learning about other countries’ customs and values. It’s important to learn what’s considered appropriate or illegal in these countries. Being aware of this will keep you safe during your trip. Also, do not forget to learn some basic phrases in the local language, too.

E. Staying in touch

Many of us are attached to our smartphones. Stay connected while traveling with various international phone service options that include upgrading existing data plans, wi-fi, buying local SIM cards abroad or getting a local phone. Figure out which works best for you depending on what’s widely available or affordable in your destination countries.

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Digitization is the process of converting analogue signals or information of any form into a digital format that can be understood by computer systems or electronic devices. This information can be accessed by anyone anywhere.

Like cancer, digitization is spreading throughout every industry you can think of in Nigeria. In this vigorous and rigorous digital march, the travel industry is not excluded as it has also embraced digitization.

In spite of this, the Nigerian travel market is piggybacking existing infrastructures put in place by the government and telecommunication companies. For example, since the arrival of smartphones, implementation of favourable government policies as well as fall in internet prices, internet penetration in Nigeria has shot up. As at 2018, internet penetration is 51%.

Interestingly, this led to the entry of an Online Travel Agency like Jumia Travel which has so far revolutionised and democratised travel in Nigeria. Since then, many OTAs, hotels, tour operators, resorts, hospitality spots and other stakeholders in the Nigerian travel market have taken full advantage of digitization for customer service/support and engagement, marketing, promotion and sales.

Before digitization, you cannot book a hotel or flight online, you cannot get tangible information about Nigerian destinations and of course, tour operators like Social Prefect, Irin Ajo, Tour2Nigeria, Unravelling Nigeria, and TVP adventures among others will never exist. In fact, Nigerians will never explore local destinations. The perception that Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Istanbul are ultimate destinations will not be jettisoned.

What is different today is that digitization has undoubtedly made travel seamless. If you arrive at your destination 1am and haven't made hotel reservations, you can easily book a room in an amazing hotel within minutes at the best price on Jumia Travel. Additionally, you can Google destinations or hotels in Nigeria and in seconds, all the information is before you to make informed decisions. This has made Search Engine Optimization (SEO) very essential for many eCommerce platforms.

Furthermore, social media, a tool for driving customer support/ engagement, cannot be overlooked. OTAs, travel agencies and hotels use it to interact with customers, resolve customer complaints as well as promote hotels and packages. The conversion is really encouraging.

While for tour operators, they tap Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to push their tours. This has given many young Nigerians the opportunity to provide much-needed publicity for previously unknown destinations and make money at the same time.

From all this, reliable and verifiable data can now be generated, deductions made and a Nigeria hospitality and travel report can be developed.

Despite the positives of digitization, there are still challenges. A key one is the possibility of eCommerce organisations relying entirely on digitization or the online market while ignoring offline. This is not good because there are still a whole lot of Nigerians who are yet to join the digital craze. Hence, they need an offline arrangement to take care of them.

For many travelers, peaceful and restful sleep is like a dream. But why is getting a good night’s sleep impossible for so many travelers? And what can you do to get a badly needed night’s rest in an unfamiliar place? Well, We in partnership with Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares how to get a good night’s sleep on vacation.

A. Plan Ahead

Several days before your departure, try to gradually adjust your sleeping times to match your destination’s time zone. If you’re travelling east to west, stay up later in the nights before the start of your trip. If you’re travelling west to east, try the opposite; go to sleep and get up earlier. This can help you fall asleep and wake up in sync with your usual schedule in your destination time zone.

B. Do Proper Research

Before booking a hotel, research online. It will be important if you really want to have a good sleep on vacation. Check Google Maps to see if the hotel is on a busy street, along with a crowded freeway, or adjacent to a major airport runway. When in doubt, call the hotel you want to book and ask about noise nearby.

C. Do Not Change Your Routine

Getting enough sleep is underrated, especially when travelling long distances and on business. When you are away from home, you often stay up too late, party too much and skip exercise. Try to stick to your routine by going to sleep early while on the road, or at least stick to your usual bedtime.

D. Unplug

At least 30 minutes before going to sleep, turn off your computer, mobile phone, iPad, or TV. The blue or red lights on your device screens stimulate your brain, making it harder for your body to shut down.

E. Get Comfortable

To sleep on vacation better, endeavour to balance your room’s temperature — not too hot, not too cold. Also, do not forget to pack an eye mask, earplugs and a white noise app on your phone. This will also help you get better sleep.

One of the best ways to de-stress on vacation is to travel as light as possible. Simply put, less baggage means less to worry about. It always sounds like a good idea until you actually start packing.

That's when you realize that it is near impossible for you to pack light. Regardless, Colossus Gists in partnership with Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency highlights tips to help you master the art of packing light.

A. It's all about the roll

Rolling your clothes instead of folding them is a huge space-saver. You will be able to fit more into a smaller suitcase.

B. Use shoes to store valuables

Don't let any space go to waste because it can be very useful. Filling your shoes with clothes and other items will help keep their shape while squished into your suitcase.

C. Plan your outfits for each day you're gone

Before you pack, lay out an outfit for each day to cut down the chances you'll pack more than you need. It's simple, but much more effective than just guessing and throwing a bunch of random stuff in a bag.

D. Pack bottoms you can wear several times

Maximize space by doubling up on how many days you wear your pants, skirts and other bottoms. The more outfits you can make from the least amount of bottoms, the better. For example, you can pack 3 shirts for one bottom.

F. Take advantage of laundry services

It's easy when you're staying with a friend or family member, but if you're staying at hotels, call ahead and get the details on their laundry service.

We are know that getting sick is a part of an everyday life of an average individual, and travelling doesn’t exempt you from that fact before you are more exposed to bugs, parasites, and environments. The fact of the matter is the longer you are travelling, the more likely you may get sick.

The secret to reducing the chances of this, however, is to actively combat the risk factors of becoming sick in the first place. Colossus Gists in partnership with Jumia Travel, the leading online booking platform shares tips to prevent you from getting sick anytime you travel.

1. Wash your hands

Hand washing is the most important thing anybody can do to protect their health. If you can’t wash your hands right away, you should not touch your face to prevent germs from entering via your eyes, nose or mouth. You can also use a sanitizer as an alternative to soap and water.

2. Stay hydrated

Water is the source of all life. It is very essential that your body gets the fluids it needs to support a healthy immune system. Imbibe the habit of drinking water and other non-sugary, decaffeinated beverages. Your body and your health will thank you.

3. Eat healthily and exercise

A healthy diet filled with plenty of vegetables and fruits is a great way to stay healthy. Eat Also, exercising and eating healthy go hand in hand. Even though you are on vacation or travelling, do not forget to exercise. Exercising and eating healthily has so many great benefits to keep you from getting sick.

4. Protect yourself against the sun

Protecting yourself from the sun goes beyond getting a bad sunburn. You should cover up with loose clothing and even use a hat or scarf. If you don’t, then dehydration can set in very quickly, and that can lead to more serious conditions such as heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, which if left unattended can become a medical emergency.

5. Carry a medical kit

You cannot predict when you will fall sick, this is why you are advised to carry a medical kit whenever you travel. The kit should contain basic medical items.

6. Get enough sleep

This can be difficult if your trip involves a hectic schedule, noisy hotels or frequent flights, but it’s key to maintaining a healthy body system.