African Travel Times, Nigeria and West Africa only monthly travel and tourism magazine has announced the institution of an annual award.

According to its Publisher/Editor, Lucky Onoriode George, the award is to annually recognize ‘Excellence’ in the travel and tourism sector in Nigeria, saying that, a genuine and respected award in the industry was long overdue, especially in an industry that is service based.

He noted, “asking the travelling public that lack the technicality and experience of how the travel and tourism industry works to select the best hotel, restaurant and even the best airline in an operating environment annually is wrong”

George posited that, it is the process that differentiates the new awards from others, as awardees will be selected by professionals in the various sub-sectors”.

For the 2014 and the inaugural edition, the magazine is recognizing organisations and individuals that made giant strides in the industry in the outgoing year.

“Based on the decision of our panel industry experts, the following organizations and individuals emerged winners”.

• God Is Good Motors – Best Emerging Transport Company in Nigeria.
• Eko Hotel & Suites – Most Supportive Travel and Tourism Organization.
• Carnival Calabar – Best Domestic Tourism Product.
• ABC Transport Plc – Best Family Friendly Transport Company in Nigeria.

 Other winners are:

• Sally Mbanefo, Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) – Tourism Personality of the Year.
• Gov. Godswill Akpabio – For Transforming Akwa Ibom State into an emerging Destination In Nigeria.
• Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt – Most Resilient Performance Award in the Hospitality Industry.

So far, some of the winners have received their awards in private while others have been notified and presentation will be done at a later date.

Meanwhile, Mr. George said that from this year, the awards ceremony will form part of his publication’s annual travel and tourism dinner, a special event to bring together industry practitioners, suppliers and related establishments.

African Travel Times hit the newsstand in 2011 and has grown to become the most widely and authoritative travel and tourism publication in Nigeria, with an online presence that can be access everywhere in the world.

African Travel Times apart from being a core travel and tourism industry magazine, the coverage also includes ‘Insider’ a destination piece written from a local or native point of view [can also be written ‘as told to], as well as fascinating people, an article profiling a person of interest in the industry in any part of Nigeria and Africa.

Joseph Rennie, General Manager, Hotel Presidential receiving his hotel’s award from Lucky Onoriode George, Publisher, African Travel Times magazine.

Jude Nneji, Deputy Managing Director, ABC Transport Plc, receiving his organisation’s award from Lucky Onoriode George, Publisher, African Travel Times magazine.

Iyadunni Gbadebo, Sales Manager, Eko Hotel & Suites receiving the hotel’s award from Lucky Onoriode George, Publisher, African Travel Times magazine.