Abuja is a deliberately created capital city of Nigeria and its historical relevance in the history of Nigeria is one among other factors that stamped it on the tourism map of Nigeria. The tour of Abuja to a first time visitor will create the imagery of the true African dream state, characterized by nature, history, culture and modernity. Abuja is a planned city and it is relatively different from many places I have visited in Africa.
It is uninteresting that despite the unique tourism potentials of this great tourist destination, the tourist products providers in the territory have knot fully understood the magnitude of the opportunities and if they do, they must understand or reorganize how trips are packaged around this great city.
The multiple characteristics of Abuja are rare in many tourist destinations. It is a city that encourages the professional and knowledgeable tour guide to exhibit his passion for work. The characters of Abuja from the past, present and hope of a huge future are rich and interesting and will definitely engage the guide and the tourist. The reality of the tales of the past and present are there for everyone to see.
Abuja has what it takes to be among the most visited destinations. "The name, history and importance of a tourist destination could sell itself, but it takes the tourist guide to sell it well". Osho, Anago J. A (2013). Another problem with tours in Abuja is how attraction sites are presented to the visitors. The tour guides and site managers needs to be regularly trained and retrained. The importance of a tour guide can not be overlooked. The training i envisage is practicum tourism. It is one thing to know a subject and it is another thing to live, practice and be absolved by the subject. Practicum Tourism is founded on action rather than idea. Practicum Tourism is the practice of tourism ideas. It is possible to know tourism and understand tourism, but it is not the same when you have never practice the techniques or mechanism of tourism.
Abuja became the capital of Nigeria on 12th of December, 1991, but the construction and development of the city began in the 1980's as a national project. The presidential villa which houses the residence and administrative office of the president of Nigeria is called "The Aso Rock Villa" and the name was derived from a distinct and huge monolith which dominates the physical structure of the city. Aso Rock majestically sits behind the presidential complex, the nearby National Assembly and the Supreme court of Nigeria. There are many unpromoted and unknown tourist attractions in Abuja. This city displays an array of attractions with deep historical background that appeals to both local and international visitors.
As I tour guided the tourists across the city, smiles unpretentiously came upon my face as i see tourism gold everywhere. The numerous tourism gold I have witnessed across Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Senegal, Sierraleone, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, and all of Africa keeps my trust and hope alive for the children unborn as the continent is a unique tourism gold mine.
The sightseeing tour of Abuja is picturesque and for the visitor to be duely consumed by the climatic conditions, history, and ambiance of Abuja, it is truely important to know that the tour is beyound a day tour. Do not be misled and if you must leave the city the same day, savour the experience by visiting the Millennium Park or any other parks, and be immersed as you feel the eco - spirit of Abuja. The different signage at the Millennium Park appeals to the environmentally conscious mind. It is a place to relax, appreciate nature, interact with nature and be educated through signages which are focused on warnings, and why everyone should care for the environment.
The different ethnic groups that are historically attached to the city and environs known now as Abuja adds glamour and deptness to the cultural endowments of this tourist destination. The first settlers settled around 1828. The Gwari (Gbagyi) people are synonymous with the city. Their language Gbagyi is popular in Abuja. Other popular groups include Bassa, Gwandara, Gade, Koro, Dibo, Nupe, Fulani, etc. As interstate migrations to Abuja increases, ethnic groups like Igala, Idoma, Igbira, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Tiv, Ibibio, Efik, Edo, etc. are also noticeable, especially during the celebration of their homeland festivals, naming ceremonies and other events.
Abuja is blessed with varieties of tourism products. The most important ingredients that is required from the tourism entrepreneur to be successful is creativity and how tour programs are packaged. One of my ethic as a tourism service provider and guide is not to sell every tour or product in a package. Most tourist destinations like Abuja will be more interesting if the tours are packaged as themed tours. Abuja Parks and nature tour will be suitable for nature lovers, families, groups, and eco tourists.
The Cultural Tour of Abuja has character. Any of the local traditional festival will reveal the colours and past of Abuja. The town called Suleja today was formerly referred to as Abuja and the name became magnified as the capital of Nigeria. Tour entrepreneurs who want to promote cultural tourism must have a root within the local community. A strong connection is attained when trust is built. The trust should span through out ones lifetime because the consequences remain to be reaped, either alive or not. Either positive or negative.
Everyone who is trusted as an Ambassador of Tourism, Art, Heritage or Culture must not betray the trust of the confidants. Such a person should not play on other peoples intelligence while executing any aspect of tourism. The subject that is treated here applies to every tourist destination. Some actions are beyound monetary satisfaction as tourism actions walk across the full moon and back.
Abuja has the charm of the old and new. To find the cultural past of Abuja may be a quiz but it is hidden in the modernity, and could be easily discovered by a fan. When planning a trip in Abuja, it is important to consider the size of the city and the aspect of the tours to be sold. The type is what i mean by themed tour. Themed tours are more beneficial to both the tourists and tour organizers. The objectives are outlined and achievable but tourists fall for the tricks by some operators through the adverts as they compile many activities in a day trip. This is not realistic. It may seem well to the visitors as they see it as value for money spent, but realistically what should be considered is actually the numbers of hours or days that is suitable for a particular trip to achieve the purpose of the visit. In most cases, many of such highlights are omitted and visitors complain of "no value for money spent" and ofcourse such visitor won't patronize the operator again.
What is creative tourism? For the promotion of cultural tours and creative tourism in Abuja, it is sacrosanct that the tour organizer should have a cordial relationship with the local community. The ideology of creative tourism can be introduced and explored in Abuja. Richards and Wilson (2007) conceive that "cultural landscape of the destination including festivals, cultural routes, museums, cultural heritage could be recreated to have an interactive role and provide better, and more engaging experience co-created between the visitors and the local population". When cultural tourism is transformed into creative tourism it produces practical and fulfilling experience for the visitors. The host benefits and the legacies of the institutions, either as museum, gallery or host community is preserved. Creative tourism develops activities that will engage the tourists, things they can learn, the types of cultural processes they can participate in, and the unique experience associated with the destination. The Ushafa Cultural Pottery Center Abuja, is a workable location for creative tourism. A similar experience can be achieved at the Nike Art Gallery Abuja.
The eco - tourism, historical, and cultural significance of Abuja should not be ignored. Tourist attractions and other tourism services in Abuja should be reorganized, rediscovered and promoted.
- Abuja provides research opportunities for geologists, anthropologists, archaeologists, social scientists, etc.
- Abuja is the hikers paradise.
- Rock climbing opportunities
- The city is relatively safe.
- It promotes the unity of Nigeria
- It serves as Nigeria's cultural melting point
- Themed tour of Abuja is extraordinarily fascinating
-Diverse cuisine experience
-Creative tourism experience