The online travel agency also disclosed that online voting for the awards has opened and will close on Wednesday, March 6th, 2019.
The Awards which aim to recognise outstanding players in the Nigeria Hospitality/Travel industry will have the Hon. Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Lagos State, Steve Ayorinde, deliver the keynote address on the topic: “Lagos as a Model For Tourism Growth in Nigeria”.
Other top dignitaries are Annette Ibe, the Lagos representative of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Ikechi Ukoh of Akwaaba Travel Market and tourism/travel expert, and the General Manager of Four Points by Sheraton, Jonathan Patterson.
There are 8 categories to be awarded and their nominees include:
Hotel of the Year 2018: The George Ikoyi, Federal Palace Hotel & Casino, Radisson Blu Lagos Ikeja Hotel, Golden Tulip Festac, The Lagos Continental Hotel (Intercontinental), Southern Sun Ikoyi, Nordic Hotel, Swiss International Mabisel Port Harcourt, The Wells Carlton Hotel & Apartments and Protea Hotel by Marriott Kuramo Waters.
Best Business Hotel 2018: Golden Tulip Festac, Eko Hotels & Suites, Federal Palace Hotel & Casino, Four Point by Sheraton, Hotel Presidential (Port Harcourt), Ibis Lagos Ikeja, Lagos Oriental Hotel, Park Inn By Radisson (Abeokuta), Radisson Blu Lagos Ikeja Hotel, Southern Sun Ikoyi, and The Lagos Continental Hotel(Intercontinental).
Best Leisure Hotel 2018: Sun Heaven Hotels & Resort, Victoria Island; Morning Side Suites and Spa, Federal Palace Hotel & Casino, Whispering Palms Hotel & Resort, Epe Resort, Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Nike Lake Resort (Enugu), La Campagne Tropicana Resort, Eko Hotel and Suite, Golden Tulip Festac, and Barracuda beach resort.
Best Local Airline 2018: Arik, Air Peace, Medview, Dana, Azman air, and Aero Contractors.
Best International Airline 2018: Ethiopian Air, Emirates, Egypt Air, Kenyan Air, Africa world Airline, Air Namibia, South African Airways, Etihad Air, British Airways, Virgin Air, Delta Air, United Airlines, and Turkish Airways.
Travel Blogger/Vacation Planner 2018: Travel with a Pen, TheUfuoma, Zeegoes, Sassyfunke, Irinajo, TVP Adventures, Naija Nomads, Tour2Nigeria, EatTechTravel and Unravelling Nigeria
Travel Reporter of the Year 2018: Pelu Awofeso (Travel Next Door), Apata Oyeniran (Daily Independent), Chuks Nwanne (The Guardian), Wale Olapade (Nigerian Tribune), Omololu Olumuyiwa (Travelscope Magazine), and Obinna Emelike (Business day)
The winners of the Nigeria Travel Awards will be honoured during an event held on March 11, 2019.
“The Nigeria Travel Awards powered by Jumia has become the most anticipated travel awards in Nigeria. Its objective is to promote the Nigeria Tourism sector and reward the top players in the industry while encouraging best practices and improved services,” said Omolara Adagunodo, the Managing Director of Jumia’s hotel and flight marketplace.
Interested persons can vote here and you can follow the Awards conversation on social media via #JumiaTravelAwards2019.