Businesses in Niger Delta have been faced with high costs for airfreight services in Port Harcourt International Airport for years. As a result, exporters have been unable to compete in the international marketplace. Located in the highly oil populated Port Harcourt area of Nigeria, it has been a crucial trade area for years. However, the airport has a history of high costs and inefficiency.
Fortunately, a more dedicated group of exporters, in Port Harcourt, along with trade experts, have decided to respond to these inefficiencies and work to establish new airfreight services. The focus of this new cargo airline is to reduce the international trade barrier – the high cost of airfreight services, which have disproportionately burdened SMEs in the region. The new stakeholders in the region expect to reduce the costs of exported products, particularly those targeted at international markets that lack a nearby cargo airline in Lagos or Abuja.
This improvement marks an important advancement in the revitalization of export business in the Niger Delta. The envisaged airline will enable businesses to export goods more easily and at lower costs. This benefit will also increase to businesses other than exporters. Businesses will be able to further integrate their supply chains at lower costs and promote increased trade activity to economically grow the region.
Improved logistics will result in more exportable goods of the sought-after Nigerian textiles, agricultural products, and crafts. More tourists will be able to enjoy locally produced crafts, and Nigeria will gain a better position in retailing internationally.
Supporting local businesses in hospitality sector: Contribution of the cargo airline to local tourism
With the planned Port Harcourt dedicated cargo airline, hotels and restaurants can expect an increase in patronage, and this will contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sectors. The increase in the air cargo business is expected to lessen the cost of air transport to Nigeria, and this will draw in tourists and business professionals interested in the products of the Niger Delta. The tourism professionals in the hospitality sector, such as horse riding, night clubbing and walking, as well as restaurants, will benefit immensely. Nigeria can now boast walking and horse riding tourism in the Niger Delta and this will draw in the influx of tourists.
Increased patronage is expected from the international sector of the hospitality business. Port Harcourt has always suffered from a lack of international hospitality and tourism due to a high cost of transportation, lack of sufficient infrastructure, and poor hospitality services, and so, the international sector has always been a large potential market. With the decrease in air freight costs, Port Harcourt can expect an increase in capacity due to international travellers, increasing hospitality for hotels, restaurants, and tour services.
The people of Port Harcourt and the international visitors to the city could engage in more cross-cultural interaction as a result of the increased demand for local attractions. Visiting Port Harcourt for business purposes will also likely increase in demand as those involved in trade will stop at and stay in the hotels in the area. Tourism will likely flourish, and hotels in the area will demand more business from trade travellers and those tourists. Ultimately, more international flights at Port Harcourt’s international airport will make tourism easier than in the past, and more appreciated than in the past, for visitors to the Delta region and the Port Harcourt area.
Flight details: Improving access to tourists
The international flights currently available to Port Harcourt are very few and far in between. When travelling to Nigeria, long-haul international travellers will most likely fly to Lagos or Abuja due to the more available connecting flights at those airports. Port Harcourt is likely to have a greater number of flights from significant cities in Europe, the Middle East, and the United States given the new cargo airline. Tourists are likely to view Port Harcourt as more appealing and easily accessible. This increased air capacity and connectivity also benefits travelers from Africa.
While certain airlines have not yet been identified, investors have pointed to potential partnerships with international airlines, including Emirates, British Airways, and Qatar Airways, that have existing market access to Africa and the potential to increase direct or codeshare flights to Port Harcourt. These changes will likely enhance the ability of international travelers and business people to access the Niger Delta.
Currently, people travelling to the region can make reservations on flights with layovers from Nigeria’s major airports, including Lagos or Abuja. Tourists will have access to direct flights and improved layover times within the near future due to the regional logistics enhancements from the new cargo airline initiatives.
Travel tips for tourists visiting Port Harcourt
Port Harcourt is now receiving more international flights, and it is time for tourists to first understand the nature and characteristics of Port Harcourt before arriving in the region. The following are a few travel tips to help make your visit seamless and fun travel tips.
Visa requirements: Before you make your reservation, check to see what Nigeria visa needs are for your country. A visa is required for a good percentage of travellers, and it can be obtained from the Nigerian embassy or consulate in your country. E-visas are an option for some travellers, so be sure to investigate the possibilities.
Local transportation: Port Harcourt is connected by road, but road public transport is not as good as some other cities. It is advisable to arrange for private transport or a local guide to travel around the city.
Security: Like other countries and cities, it is advisable to understand the safety in the area you are visiting and be prepared to make the necessary adjustments as the travel situation is updated. Be sure to check travel guidelines to see if there are recommendations.
Currency and payment methods: The currency used locally is the Nigerian Naira (NGN). Most places will accept major credit cards, but Port Harcourt receives a lot of tourists per year and may not accept cards due to the tourists, but you should still have some currency on you to pay for small items in local markets, or rural places.
Cultural etiquette: In Nigeria there will be a lot of cultural diversity that should be embraced, and local traditions should be respected. In all places, especially in religious places, dress modestly. Do not take pictures of people, and especially not of religious places, without asking.
Weather: The Port Harcourt tropical climate is very warm and humid with a hot climate throughout the year. The hot season spans from November to March, and it will be particularly important to stay hydrated, and it would be a good idea to pack lightweight breathable clothing.
What does Port Harcourt mean for the future as a new tourist destination?
Cargo airlines are a small part of what Port Harcourt is doing to establish itself as a new tourists destination. Building on new arrangements in logistics and air travel, Port Harcourt will be able to attract many new tourists from all over the globe to the Niger Delta in search of new places. The Niger Delta is rich in culture and history, and is also very beautiful. Tourists are looking for places with a lot of wildlife, and are enticed by new and vibrant markets, as well as rich historical places.
The hospitality industry in Port Harcourt is ready for this expansion. Port Harcourt has a number of contemporary hotels and luxurious boutique resorts with varying price ranges. These establishments have updated conveniences and ensure a restful visit for guests wanting to discover the epicenter of the Nigerian oil industry and the adjoining areas.
The Ogbia creek and the celebrated Nembe Kingdom are a part of the many attractions in Niger Delta, aside from Port Harcourt. The widely diverse wildlife in the many national parks and the various forms of artistic expressions are also attractions in the region.
Prospects for adventure and eco-friendly travel
Adventure seekers may find unique and off-the-grid experiences while exploring the eco-diversity of the Niger Delta. A growing niche of eco-tourism in the Delta integrates eco-lodges and sustainable tourism initiatives designed to conserve the natural setting and authentically immerse visitors in nature. Boat rides in the Delta’s creeks, visits to local villages, and passive wildlife observation are some of the Delta’s options for eco-friendly travellers.
Bright future for Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta
The establishment of a new air cargo service from Port Harcourt represents a significant milestone for Nigeria in the Niger Delta. The anticipated lowering of airfreight rates will save exporters money and stimulate new business activity in the tourism and hospitality sectors. More international tourists will be able to travel to the region, increasing demand for a variety of services, including hotels, restaurants, and entertainment. Visitors to Port Harcourt and the surrounding Niger Delta will discover a remarkable fusion of natural and cultural riches along with business opportunities in a previously unexplored region of Nigeria.
This is an amazing time for potential tourists to travel to Nigeria, Port Harcourt, and the Niger Delta. New infrastructure, new air cargo services, and an expanding tourism economy characterize the region, making Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta a ‘must-see’ travel destination in West Africa.
— Culled from Travel and Tour World
