The acting chief operating officer of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) Ikeja, Ms Tosan Odukoya, has emphasised the importance of infrastructure and process flow as the foundation for building a vibrant tourism sector.
Odukoya stated this at a breakfast forum held recently in Lagos under the theme ‘Rethinking tourism in Nigeria and hosted by Philips Consulting Limited and the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC).
Odukoya who featured as a panelist, contended that the success of tourism depends on well-structured and efficient infrastructure, which, according to her, play pivotal role in mapping out the traveller’s movement.
Using MMA2 as an example, she underlined continuous growth and improvement as key enablers for delivering world-class service.
“These enablers include rethinking technology, reengineering process flows, and enhancing people training,” she said.
She added that the goal of the terminal operator is to establish a viable value chain within the travel, trade, and tourism sectors through innovative and customer-focused marketing.
“This approach involves smart customization, advanced segmentation, and the use of technology to drive modernisation and create multifaceted business models.
“The ongoing IT infrastructure upgrade demonstrates BASL’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in operational requirements. This includes support for seamless passenger facilitation, check-in, and boarding systems,” she said.
Odukoya said modern air travellers belong to a discerning socio-economic demography who wants transparency, corporate responsibility and efficiency when travelling.
She said MMA2 as a pioneer public private airport model was not conceptualised to be just a terminal, but to serve as a gateway to tourism within and around Nigeria as well as a destination for a new and discerning generation of travellers.
“Airports must transform into major business centres offering non-aeronautical commercial, cultural, and lifestyle opportunities,” she said.
She called on all stakeholders to focus on infrastructural development and maintenance as contributors to the growth of tourism, communities and economies.
On the state of the travel industry, Odukoya urged public sector authorities to endorse and support private establishments committed to advancing the sector.
