Top 25 Travel Destinations in the World for the year 2015

The following destinations were rated based on millions of reviews by travelers and tourists in the year 2015:

#1: Marrakech (Morroco)

#2: Siem Reap (Cambodia)

#3: Instanbul (Turkey)

#4: Hanoi (Vietnam)

#5: Prague (Czech republic)

#6: London (United Kingdom)

#7: Rome (Italy)

#8: buenos aires (Argentina)

#9: Paris (France)

#10: Cape Town central (southafrica)

#11: New York city (United state)

#12: zermatt (switzerland)

#13: Barcelona (Spain)

#14: Goreme (Turkey)

#15: Ubud (Indonesia)

#16: cusco (Peru)

#17: St. Petersburg (Russia)

#18: Bangkok (Thailand)

#19: Kathmandu (Nepal)

#20: Athens (Greece)

#21: Budapest (Hungary)

#22: queenstown (New zealand)

#23: Hong Kong (China)

#24: Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

#25: Sydney (Australia)

Portharcourt Carnival 'CANIRIV' cancelled

          Residents of Port Harcourt say the cancellation of the annual carnival by the Rivers Government has affected recreational and tourist activities in the state.
               Reports said that a carnival 'Carniriv' used to hold every December in Port Harcourt by the immediate past administration in the state. The residents observe that the event, described as biggest after Carnival Calabar, was cancelled by the present administration of Gov. Nyesom Wike. The residents, who spoke with NAN on Monday, said that the importance of the carnival in the life of the people should have been considered before the cancellation. They said that the carnival attracted many local and foreign tourists and investors to the city which increased economic activities. According to them, the event, not only showcases the state and the people’s cultures to would-be investors.
      This is not the first time a carnival is been cancelled in the country this year under the present administration. The question is Where is Nigeria tourism (particularly, Carnival) going under this administration?

NTDC and Kano state Government to partner on Jiga Dam project and others

The Kano State government has expressed its readiness to partner with Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation ( NTDC ) on Jiga Dam Project, women and youth empowerment programmes which he believed would boost domestic tourism in the state.
            The permanent secretary, Kano State Civil Service Commission, Mr Abdullahi H. Kwaru stated this in Abuja yesterday when he led a 4 – man delegation from the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to the headquarters of NTDC. While acknowledging the roles played by the Corporation in laundering Nigeria’s image abroad, he said the purpose of the visit was to seek collaboration with NTDC on domestic tourism as well as in promoting other tourist attractions in the State. Responding, the Director General of NTDC, Dr Sally Mbanefo reiterated her commitment towards the actualization of partnership with Kano State especially in the area of marketing and promotion of domestic tourism.
            According to her, “Kano State is one of the tourism friendly states and also a major tourism hub and gateway in Nigeria, so this is why NTDC found it strategically important to establish the tourism information desk and travel portal at the Aminu Kano International airport.
She noted that the desk would facilitate travel businesses and promote hospitality and tourism services in Kano and Nigeria generally.

    By: chika okeke

Ijora Kingdom (Akindele Prestigios Youth) Carnival called off

The parade in the Kingdom of Ijora Oloye Apapa, Lagos state was busted by the Police due to a reason known to them.
           The spectacular event was due to begin at 12.00pm before the policemen came around destroying the carnival costumes and accessories of the various color houses. Crowds and the thousands would be participant of the Akindele prestigious youth Ijora Kingdom carnival were urged to stay away by the policemen.
 According to rumors it was said that the decision to stop the carnival came from the state government. The Oba tried to make the event occur but it wasn't enough.
 It was really a sad day for the youth of the community which left them no other choice than to face the police. This turned to riot in the community, while the police were shooting, the youth were stoning them according to report.

Minister Advocates Tourism Development Fund

The minister said a tourism development fund will serve as an incentive to private sector participation in the development of tourism in the country. He said the federal government is determined to create a more conducive environment for tourism to thrive in Nigeria, adding that areas of improvement include infrastructural development, curbing youth restiveness which he said scares away tourists, the enactment of a sustainable institutional framework for public private partnership and the establishment of a national carrier to fly the nation’s flag.
     “Today, as the nation grapples with the daunting challenges of re- strategizing the gains of our democracy and also occupying its pride of place in the comity of nations, tourism has been identified as a veritable option for sustainable development,” Mohammed said.
 He also said the commitment of the present administration towards exploiting the full potentials of the tourism sector is an effort to diversify the economy. Mohammed added that revenue from oil proceeds can no longer sustain the growing demands of the nation, meaning that now is the right time to explore tourism as a “catalyst” for economic growth and job creation.
      “The experience of the past three decades clearly highlights the shortcomings of a development strategy that places premium on foreign exchange earnings from non-renewable natural resources, especially oil and solid minerals.
 "The economic and social dislocation that has been the country’s experience from the 1970s right from the first decade of the country had its origin in the collapse of the international oil market. Our experience in the recent past also clearly demonstrates that oil and mineral resources are non-renewable and have very limited potentials for addressing the development challenges that face the country today over the medium and long-term period,” he said.
           He also said the uniqueness of tourism in Nigeria’s economic sector is as important and also evident in its ability to employ the skilled, semi-skilled and the unskilled manpower.
He said: “While its resilience is proven by the fact that despite wars, political turmoil, natural disasters, medical scares, terrorists attacks and economic and energy crises in various parts of the world, international trade in tourism services has grown spectacularly since the 1980s.”
       SOURCE: https://www.naij.com/671468-tourism-can-benefit-nigeria-lai-mohammed.htmlm

MARE MOUNTAIN CLIMBING FESTIVAL

Mare Festival is an annual festival organised by Ondo state government to celebrate and promote the cultural heritage and showcase the tourism potentials  of the sunshine state.
       The 2015 edition of the annual cultural cum tourism programme of the Ondo State government, Mare festival, which was scheduled for the 18th and 19th of  December.
     The event that started yesterday, focused on the potentials of the hills in Idanre, an ancient town and the exposition of the tourism potentials in the state to the world.
       A major feature of this year’s event is the showcasing of Idanre Hills resort, Habitat 1 and Tourism zone.The festival drew participants and tourist from far and near. Another important feature of the mare is the all important mare marathon. Mare marathon is an event introduced as part of activities for the celebration since year 2010. The 23kilometres event kick off from akure the state capital of ondo state to the ancient city of idanre,the mountaineous venue of the celebration.

15 countries to attend Calabar Carnival 2015

The Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, on Sunday said 15 countries within and outside Africa have booked places in this year’s Calabar Carnival. Mr. Ayade also assured the world that the state is ready for the festival and would offer a rare hospitality to all who would attend the annual street party.
    The Calabar Festival, said to be the biggest street party on the continent, Kicked off on November 30 with carnival dry runs, decoration of streets and opening of the festival village. The festival was created as part of the vision of making Cross River State, the number one tourist destination for Nigerians and tourists all over the world. The carnival, which will last till December 31, has boosted the cultural rich of Nigeria, while entertaining millions from within and outside the country.
      Usually, a few embassies in the past indicated interest in the programme but this time around, 15 countries are coming and the state government is ready to host them and other visitors to the state.

Traders lament poor patronage at Calabar Festival Village

Traders at the Calabar Festival Village have decried the poor patronage being experienced since the commencement of commercial activities at the facility.
        The traders expressed their feelings in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Calabar Botanical Garden, venue of the festival on Sunday. NAN reports that the Calabar Festival Village is a 24-hour market which remains open from Dec. 1 to Jan. 1 as part of the annual Calabar Carnival. The facility has all the trappings of a conventional market mixed with fun in line with the mood of the season. The traders, however, told NAN that the atmosphere in the market had remained dull compared to the situation in previous years.
A dealer in electronics, Mr Innocent Nweze, said that he could hardly sell more than one item a day since he brought his goods to the market last week. “The atmosphere is just too dull. I came all the way from Onitsha and this is the third time of my participating in the carnival. I was here in the last two carnivals. “I made some good sales in the past, but this year I don’t understand what is happening. “People are not attending as expected and even those coming in only admire our wares. They sometimes price the goods but will not buy,” Nweze said.
      A food vendor, Mrs Sarah Okim, also lamented the poor turnout of people, saying the development was affecting her business adversely. “Honestly, I do not know what is happening this year. This year’s experience is something else. “Not many people are visiting the venue. Maybe they will come later but the time is fast running out,” she said. Okim added that many of her customers had complained of lack of money in circulation in the country. “People say there is no money. I hope that when workers receive their December salaries the situation will change,” she said.
     Mr Ernest Igbanugo, who sells cell phones and accessories, however, told NAN that his major problem was the activities of criminals at the venue. “I have lost some items, especially in the night. I think the major problem is security. The venue is not conducive for commercial activities. “The situation is not like the previous years,” he said.
Source: Pm news

Joke of the Day: You think you have Family problem? read mine

Two men met at a bus stop and struck up a conversation. One of them kept complaining of family problems. Finally, the other man said:- "You think you have family problems? Listen to my situation:
A few years ago I met a young widow with a grown-up daughter and we got married. Later my father married my step-daughter. That made my stepdaughter my stepmother and my father became my stepson. Also, my wife became mother-in-law of her father-in-law. Then the daughter of my wife, my stepmother, had a son.
This boy was my half-brother because he was my father's son, but he was also the son of my wife's daughter which made him my wife's grand-son. That made me the grandfather of my half-brother. This was nothing until my wife and I had a son. Now the half-sister of my son, my stepmother, is also the grandmother. This makes my father the brother-in-law of my child, whose step-sister is my father's wife, I'm my step-mother's brother-in-law, my wife is her own child's aunt, my son is my father's nephew and I'm my own grandfather!
And you think you have family problems??!"
The man fainted

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed says FG to roll out cultural festival calendar

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed , on Sunday, said his ministry would soon roll out a cultural festival calendar for the country.
Mohammed announced this at a news conference at the Music Festival in Kaduna. He said his ministry would collaborate with state governments to produce the calendar to guide Nigerians, particularly tourists on when and where festivals were holding.
``The truth of the matter is that today we have so many festivals in many parts of this country.``One of the suggestions that I put on the table in my ministry is that we will liaise with every state government to give us ten cities in their states and these cities in each state will give us 360 cities.
``And with the five local governments in the Federal CapitalTerritory, we will have 365 festivals. Then, we can have a calendar of festivals in Nigeria which means at least one day in Nigeria there will be festival’’, he said.
According to him, this is going to help to attract tourists to Nigeria.``The problem we have today is that nobody knows where and when the festival is holding. It is part of the things we are trying to do and we know that we can get ten cities that have different culture, craft and art.’’
The minister said his ministry would encourage states to have more than one festival owing to the nation’s diversity. Mohammed, who described entertainment industry as a huge potential to boost the nation’s economy, said if properly harnessed, it would make up for the shortfall in oil price. ``I have seen the huge potential of the creative industry and what we need to do is to provide enabling environment for it.`` More importantly is the energy that youths are coming out with today and that energy must find outlet in the creative industry like music, movies, entertainment. ``When Nigeria rebased its economy, the increase you saw was largely due to this self-effort of the creative industry. ``And I believe that you could have seen much more if only we are able to help them by giving them long term loans to boost the industry.’’
According to him, the ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Information and Culture are collaborating to provide supports for
the creative industry. ``
   Gov. Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State said the motive behind the Kaduna Music Festival was to create jobs, promote Nigerian culture and mobilize youths positively to channel their energies to productive endeavours. The governor, who said the State Government used to hold Kaduna Cultural Festival annually, announced that it would be merged with the music festival in 2016 to enable the state extend its festival period from two to seven days.

Amaechi, Transportation Minister, Talks Tough During Working Visit to NIMASA

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has directed immediate financial and staff audit of the Nigerian Maritime and Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). The minister gave the directive on Monday during his maiden tour of Lagos ports and a stop-over at NIMASA Resource Centre, Kirikiri. Amaechi also directed the Acting Director-General of NIMASA, Mr Haruna Jauro, to forward details of contracts awarded by the agency for verification.
                The former Rivers governor demanded a detailed financial report of the agency since its inception “Over N100 billion is given to this agency yearly and I am yet to see how it has been spent. I am yet to see some of the projects being executed by this agency,’’ Amaechi said. The minister also requested for the staff nominal roll and details of staff employed by the agency and their qualifications. He instructed the acting director-general to forward the staff nominal roll of the agency to the Federal Ministry of Transport to know if there were vacancies to be filled. Amaechi expressed dissatisfaction with the ill-equipped clinic laboratory at the NIMASA Resource centre.
“From my inspection so far, I discovered that the Search and Rescue clinic is not equipped; the canteen is in deteriorated condition; the chairs are not okay and the place is leaking,’’ the minster said. NIMASA is the apex regulatory and promotional maritime agency in the country. The agency was created from the merger of National Maritime Authority (NMA) and Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council on Aug. 1, 2006. Earlier, the minister directed the management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to work toward achieving 48 hours cargo clearance target when he visited the headquarters of the agency in Lagos. He said he had promised President Muhammadu Buhari that he would ensure Nigerian ports achieved 48 hours cargo clearance target. “Other countries operating maritime industry are achieving 48 hours cargo clearance, so Nigeria is not an exemption. “I believe in transparency and hard work. We should endeavour to do what people are expecting us to do. “I will inform the public about the activities of the maritime industry to make sure you do what people will like to know,’’ the minister said. In an address, the Managing Director of NPA, Malam Habib Abdullahi, said the agency had made tremendous efforts in the last three years in managing the affairs of Nigerian ports.
     
             Credit: Vanguard

Tourism Expert Condemns Killing of Jos Wildlife Lion

Charles Ajunwa, One of Africa’s revered promoters of tourism, Mr. Ikechi Uko has condemned the killing of the only lion left in the Jos wildlife park which escaped recently, describing the killing of the lion as a huge loss to the country’s tourism sector.
     Mr. Uko who said he had a personal connection with dead lion, regretted that the gains made in the tourism sector are being wiped away.The organiser of Akwaaba travel fair who disclosed this on his Facebook page titled: “Jos Wildlife Lion Killed”, said the Jos wildlife park was badly managed. “That lion is the only lion in the once popular Jos wildlife park. The lion escaped some days ago from the badly managed park and was executed by Nigerian police and civil defence operatives. Now these guys are celebrating their feat of killing a lion but for me it’s a huge loss. I feel a connection to the dead lion. Slowly we are officially wiping away the small tourism gains we all fought for over the years. Nigerian tourism is in reversal right now. Too bad,” Mr. Uko said.
     Mr. Uko’s post on the Facebook also attracted comments from some concerned tourists. Some of the comments read thus: “I am deeply pained not just for killing of an innocent lion but at the level of our ignorance. No one should blame those guys, a large number of our population are unaware that we need to preserve our wildlife. We must come together and drive this consciousness into our people and stop complaining. Let’s start now,” posted one of the commentators.
Another commentator posted: “Under the NTDC (Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation) watch? Don’t we have a corporation charged with the promotion and marketing of Nigeria as a tourism destination? The death of this lion is a loss to tourism income and jobs. The real tourism promoters should organise a funeral for this lion.”
This commentator has this to say: “Life is beautiful seeing something wonderful within us that make us happy…but it get worried and worst when things we want are being taken away for unnecessary act. If the lion is in mountains this couldn’t have happened. If a tranquilliser is available it would have saved the life of the lion.

American hotel (Radisson) invests N4b in Ogun tourism sector

Radisson Hotels, a member of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, United States of America (USA), has moved to invest N4 billion in the hospitality industry in Ogun State through the establishment of Park Inn Hotels and Suites located at a choice area in the heartbeat of Abeokuta, the State capital.The hotel was the defunct Ogun State owned Gateway hotels, which Radisson acquired through a concession agreement. According to Marc Descrozaille, Vice President of Sub-Saharan Africa, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, the management had observed the increasing economic potential of the State, especially in the tourism and hospitality industry and have taken advantage of it.
   The hotel, sitting on hectares of land boasts of high- class facilities, including a swimming pool of international standard. Descrozaille said, “This is the latest in a series of important hotel openings for us in Africa and we are delighted to welcome the first Park Inn by Radisson in Abeokuta to further strengthen our leading position in Africa”. “The growth of Ogun state’s economy has led to increased demand for hotels, and Abeokuta’s strategic location means that it has developed as a key business and leisure destination,” he added.

 Source: www.ngrguardiannews.com/2015/12/american-hotel-invests-n4b-in-ogun-tourism-sector/

Kaduna Carnival "Shameful, Irresponsible": Shehu Sani Slams El Rufai

The senator representing Kaduna North, Shehu Sani, has condemned the Kaduna State government for organising music festival as the nation faces economic and security challenges. Mr. Sani said in a statement that the music fiesta the state plans to organise was uncalled for as the state had competing demands and financial challenges.
      “The upcoming multi million naira jamboree known as Kaduna music festival stands unreservedly condemned. “The event is an indecent and immoral proposition and an affront to the people of Kaduna, the North and the whole of Nigeria struggling to survive economic hardships and pervasive insecurity. “It’s shameful, disgraceful, irresponsible and utterly insensitive that at this sorrowful and mournful season of bloodshed and economic difficulties, the Kaduna state government and so called ‘banks and the private sector’ have jointly decided to feast, make merry and dance on the graves of victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the North. “It’s callous and amounts to insouciance that at a time when thousands of civil servants and pensioners across the nation remained unpaid, multi million naira is about to be wasted in a musical event. “With over 25 thousand innocent persons killed by insurgents, more thousands abducted and unaccounted for, over two million people displaced from their hamlets, homes, villages and towns in the north, and with soldiers on the frontline fighting and dying to restore peace and order in the north, the musical event is nothing other than playing the fiddle while Rome is on fire.
    “The musical jamboree is nothing but a complete waste of public and even private resources that could have better be channelled to address other social and economic needs and emergencies of the nation. “It’s ironic that the very proposed venue of the event where millions of tax payers money will be wasted, the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, remains an uncompleted arena for the past 50 years. “Kaduna musical festival is a spit on the face of abandoned orphans, neglected widows and widowers ‘generated’ by the violence in the North. “Attending Kaduna Musical festival amounts to canonization of Emperor Nero. I call on President Muhammadu Buhari to reject the invitation to attend the charade called Kaduna Music festival. “It’s a contradiction and morally reprehensible that the same Kaduna State government that declared that it will no longer finance pilgrimage to Saudi and Jerusalem and that it refuses to sponsor Ramadan feeding for the poor and Tafsir, but now have enough money to sponsor and host a musical jamboree,” said the senator.

What is your opinion on this?

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/194951-kaduna-carnival-shameful-irresponsible-shehu-sani.html

Stephen Keshi loses wife

Former coach of Nigeria’s national team, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has just lost his wife, kapital929.fm reports.

       The wife was reportedly pronounced dead on Thursday at his
hometown in Delta state.
The footballer got married to her at 21.

Miss Tourism Nigeria Becomes 1st Black To Win Exquisite Face Of The Universe

Miss Tourism Nigeria Queen, Collete Nwadike has emerged winner of the Exquiste Face Of The Universe 2015/2016. She was crowned last night as the new universal queen after edging out over 50 other contestants at the event which held in Sao Tome And Principe.
        Collete Nwadike who became Miss Tourism Nigeria in May 2014 was appointed SA Tourism to Anambra State Governor, Dr. Willie Obiano less than a month after her crowning; and went on to become a sensation in Nollywood Factory & Mnet Africa's production 'The Calabash' as lead actress.

Source: alexreports.info 

Tourism is the greatest employer of labour – Mbanefo

Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation(NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo, has described tourism as the greatest employer of labour.
   Mbanefo who said this during the 2015 World Tourism Day, with the theme, “1 Billion Tourists, 1 Billion Opportunities,” and held in Enugu State, underscored the role of the tourism  sector  as  a valuable  and sustainable  source of  livelihood for  millions of people. She said, the corporation under her administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure practical development and promotion of domestic tourism, which according to her, will propel job creation, develop the nation’s economy, and raise social awareness on cultural preservation and environment protection. Her words: “Nigeria has a better advantage over so many other countries to benefit from tourism. We have the advantage of population. Tourism contributes 10 per cent to the global GDP but as at now, Nigeria is not fully benefiting from tourism like other countries. For instance, 4,333,000 tourists visited Nigeria in 2013, which contributed about four per cent to our GDP, while tourism contributes 17.7 per cent to the GDP of Gambia; 13 per cent to Egypt; 12 per cent to Kenya; 11.9 per cent to Mexico; 9 per cent to South Africa, and six per cent to Cuba. “We need to know that Nigeria should focus more on tourism as the best alternative to oil, with domestic tourism as the catalyst. “I need to emphasise that Nigeria has the best of the ingredient of tourism. We have fascinating tourist sites, enviable cultural festivals, good weather, good and hospitable people. Have you ever wondered why most diplomats, after serving their terms chose to stay back in Nigeria? It is because of the warmth and friendliness of our people, environment and potentials.” Mbanefo, who emphasised that the potential of tourism in Nigeria is N4billion prayed that government should take privatisation to the next level, which according to her will further facilitate an enabling environment for tourism to thrive in Nigeria. The NTDC boss lauded the Enugu State government for making tourism alive in the state, while describing the state as a hub of eco-tourism. Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mrs Nkechi Ejele, described tourism as the way forward for Nigeria. She noted that the ministry is, on a daily basis, intensifying efforts at ensuring the money spinning sector is well developed and promoted in Nigeria, to ensure Nigerians, among the people of other countries, maximally benefit from the potentials of tourism.

Tourism – an economic and social phenomenon

Over the decades, tourism has experienced continued growth and deepening diversification to become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world. Modern tourism is closely linked to development and encompasses a growing number of new destinations. These dynamics have turned tourism into a key driver for socio-economic progress.
   Today, the business volume of tourism equals or even surpasses that of oil exports, food products or automobiles. Tourism has become one of the major players in international commerce, and represents at the same time one of the main income sources for many developing countries. This growth goes hand in hand with an increasing diversification and competition among destinations.This global spread of tourism in industrialised and developedstates has produced economic and employment benefits in many related sectors - from construction to agriculture or telecommunications.The contribution of tourism to economic well-being depends on the quality and the revenues of the tourism offer. UNWTO assists destinations in their sustainable positioning in ever more complex national and international markets. As the UN agency dedicated to tourism, UNWTO points out that particularly developing countries stand to benefit from sustainable tourism and acts to help make this a reality.

 Source: UNWTO

Stairway to Heaven in The Jantar Mantar monument of Jaipur, Rajasthan

The JantarMantar, in Jaipur, is an astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century. It includes a set of some 20 main fixed instruments.
     They are monumental examples in masonry of known instruments but which in many cases have specific characteristics of their own. Designed for the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye, they embody several architectural and instrumental innovations. This is the most significant, most comprehensive, and the best preserved ofIndia's historic observatories. It is an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period.
      The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is an outstanding example of the coming together of observation of the universe, society and beliefs.

[Source: UNESCO]

Barbados (Caribbean) named Destination of the Year by Caribbean Journal

         PRESS RELEASE – Barbados wins big in 2015 with the recognition of the island as ‘Destination of the Year’ 2015 and acknowledgment for the opening of its newest resort, Sandals Barbados, dubbed  the ‘New All-Inclusive Resort of the Year’ by Caribbean Journal in their coveted Caribbean Travel Awards. Based on the efforts demonstrated by the tourism sector and marketing reach made throughout the year, the Caribbean Travel Awards highlight the “Best of 2015” for readers of Caribbean Journal with followers that span over 60,000 readers a month in the Americas and internationally. “We are honored to be named Caribbean Journal’s “Destination of the Year,” acknowledged the Honorable Richard Sealy, Minister of Tourism and International Transport. “This accolade is sincerely appreciated and we see this as manifestation of our efforts to improve the destination product. I salute all the stakeholders whose dedication has contributed significantly to this recognition. Barbados has benefited with the recent increase in airlift options for travelers from all markets and we fully intend to continue the positive trajectory of growth as we move into 2016.” “It is great to see Caribbean destinations using cutting edge marketing and creativity to draw new travelers,” stated Alexander Britell, Editor in Chief of Caribbean Journal. “Barbados has had a tremendous year in that regard and our team of Caribbean experts is proud to honor them for that achievement.” This honor comes at a historic moment for Barbados, celebrating its 50 anniversary of independence this 2016. With the addition of new JetBlue routes from the Boston market and Mint service for the luxury set, the island continues to strengthen its connection to travelers in the US market. Offering a colorful and culturally driven variety of events and activities for every niche, consumers continue to view the destination as the ultimate in sun, sand and sea.
          For a complete list of all the awards from the initial Caribbean Journal Caribbean Travel Awards, please visit www.caribjournal.com .

DESTINATION OF THE DAY: Agordi Garden

          Agodi Garden Ibadan, Oyo State is Located at the foot of Mokola Hill, where Premier Hotel stands imposing, the garden, which used to be a tourist resort with a wealth of floral resources, had suffered decades of neglect, as it was overgrown with weeds and thickets. Its facilities were also dilapidated while the grounds remained unkempt, a situation, which affected it's patronage. But that was until two years ago, when the state government In partnership with a private firm embarked on its rehabilita­tion. The result is an aesthetic showpiece of well-landscaped ambience with a generous dose of preserved nature that opened to the public last Christmas. Re-christened Agodi Resort and Conferences, the multi-billion naira facility on Parliament Road, nudging the Dandaru Lake,offers a comforting recreational harbour, with ever-green shrubs, decades-old exotic trees, flapping wings of colourful birds and the gentle lapping of water waves on the bank of the lake. To these have been added other modern features including swimming pools, play areas for kids with mounts, inflated balloons and toys, a zoo, walkways, bar and eatery. There are also toilets, each of which is equipped with modern accessories suitable for all ages. To sustain its greenery, a lake that surrounds the park supplies all-year-round water to plants and life in the garden, and somewhere farther to the boundary over-looking a large natural pond that supplies the city with fish, a dam-like pool flourishes to the excitement of members of the boat club.Here, three red inflatable rafts bubble to and fro on the water when not in use.
    Remarkably, the exotic tropical trees in the garden have been preserved to provide shade for visitors and home for the birds. Plaques providing information about the various species stand next to these trees.The almond trees, indigenous to the high forest and the kadan trees found mainly in wetland to lowland of African forests, with their aroma extending 100 meters, reflect the splendour of nature. The fig tree, for instance, tourists are made to know, attracts thousands of bats from across the continent because of its fruits. Also at the park are lilac tree, which was used in 1958 to preserve Ibadan rivers and streams, and the age-long dracaena tree commonly found in high forest. Up North of the entrance is the swimming pool with spiraling water slides. Apart from the zoo, it is the most guided section of the park. Its seclusion is marked by high wire fence and a gate. Operators of the pools forbid children without swimming jacket in it and non-swimmers are not allowed access. However, there are life guards watching swimmers in both pools in case help is needed to rescue someone.
     The zoo, set completely under tall trees, is yet to be equipped with many animals. However, it can boast of two lions in the largest cage. Two little crocodiles can be seen in a shallow pond while at the middle of the zoo, there are cages where monkeys are kept.
     Although the Agodi Gardens has existed for many decades, it has never attracted so many tourists as it is now. The beauty of the park is not limited to the day. At night, the garden is illuminated by Christmas lights, which will soon give way to neon lights.
     Visit this place to experience life fun filled....