Roland Iwuchukwu
The stage is set for the prestigious Travellers Award 2024/2025, organised by ATQNEWS.COM, which will celebrate exceptional achievements in Nigeria’s travel, tourism, aviation, and hospitality industries. This year’s award will recognise Hon. Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Executive Governor of Ekiti State, as Tourism Governor of the Year for his strategic investments in tourism infrastructure, cultural promotion, and sustainable development initiatives that have positioned Ekiti as a leading destination in West Africa.
According to the organisers, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, will be honoured as Aviation Man of the Year for his transformative reforms in the aviation sector, including resolving 98% of $850 million trapped airline funds, expanding Bilateral Air Services Agreements, and improving Nigeria’s aviation safety rating from 40% to nearly 80%. Other honourees include Capt. Omololu Majekodunmi, Managing Director/CEO of ValueJet Airline. Majekodunmi, is being recognized as the Travel Personality of the Year, for the fast growth of ValueJet within a very short time in a difficult year, while sustaining functional and efficient operations, having expanded operations and business to The Gambia, Freetown, Malabo, and Cotonou with quality service & on time performance.
The organisers recognizes Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye as the Tourism Personality of the Year for his remarkable achievements, particularly the growth and expansion of La Campagne Tropicana to Taraba State, Ondo State, and the successful hosting of The Ipada Carnival. Also, General Manager of Lagos Continental Hotel, Karl Hala, bagged the Hotel Manager of the Year for his excellent service in managing hotel operations in both Lagos and Abuja, with strategic development plans for growth, and commitment to staff training and capacity building in the hospitality sector. Ibom Air, won the Best Nigerian Airline of the Year 2024/25 for its exceptional commitment to maintaining high service standards, ensuring outstanding on-time performance, delivering quality customer service, and expanding the fleet with new aircraft to enhance passenger experience.
Middle East Carrier, Qatar Airways won the International Airline of the Year for its outstanding achievement in recording the highest number of passengers carried in and out of Nigeria, maintaining a high rate of resolved customer cases, and consistently delivering quality service. While Africa’s biggest and most profitable airline, Ethiopian Airlines won double honours, for the African Airline of the Year and African Cargo Airline of the Year awards. The airline is being recognized for its outstanding achievement in recording the high number of passengers carried in and out of Nigeria, maintaining a high rate of resolved customer cases, and consistently delivering quality service.
It also has a very efficient cargo operation, reliable delivery services across Africa and beyond, and consistent in its commitment to meeting the logistics needs of customers with excellence and professionalism in Nigeria. Turkish Airlines is being recognised as International Cargo Airline of the Year, while Lagos Aviation Academy will receive Aviation School of the Year for producing IATA’s overall best performers in Nigeria. The awards will also spotlight excellence in tour operations, honouring Diamonds and Pearls Travels as Tour Operator of the Year (Outbound) and Global Anago Adventures Limited as Tour Operator of the Year (Inbound), while Naija Explorers, is being recognized as the Best Domestic Tour Operator of the Year, Nigeria.
Organisers of the Travellers Award, noted that the 2024 edition aims to celebrate resilience, innovation, and excellence in Africa’s travel and aviation sectors despite global economic challenges.
Full List of Awardees – Travellers Award 2024/25
1. Travel Personality of the Year – Capt. Omololu Majekodunmi, Managing Director/CEO, ValueJet Airline
2. Tourism Personality of the Year – Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye
3. Hotel Manager of the Year – Karl Hala, General Manager, Lagos Continental Hotel
4. Tourism Governor of the Year – Hon. Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Executive Governor of Ekiti State
5. Tour Operator of the Year (Outbound) – Diamonds and Pearls Travels, Nigeria
6. Tour Operator of the Year (Inbound) – Global Anago Adventures Limited
7. Best Nigerian Airline 2024 – Ibom Air, Nigeria
8. International Airline of the Year 2024 – Qatar Airways
9. African Airline of the Year 2024 – Ethiopian Airlines
10. African Cargo Airline of the Year 2024 – Ethiopian Airlines
11. International Cargo Airline of the Year 2024 – Turkish Airlines
12. Aviation School of the Year – Lagos Aviation Academy, Nigeria
13. Aviation Man of the Year – Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria
14. Best Domestic Tour Operator of the Year – Naija Explorers, Nigeria