SAFARI VALLEY ECO RESORT TARGETS NIGERIAN TOURISTS AS NANTA ENDS GHANA RETREAT
By Aishat Momoh
Safari Valley Eco Resort has intensified efforts to attract more Nigerian tourists following the conclusion of a five-day familiarisation visit to Ghana by the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA).
The retreat ended with an executive dinner held on July 21 at the resort in Dawu, Eastern Region, bringing together tourism stakeholders from Nigeria and Ghana to strengthen collaboration and promote intra-African travel.
The familiarisation tour provided NANTA executives with first-hand experience of Ghana's tourism offerings while exploring opportunities to develop travel packages and deepen partnerships between travel operators in both countries.
Speaking during the event, Ghana's Deputy Minister of Tourism called for stronger tourism ties between Nigeria and Ghana, urging both countries to leverage their longstanding cultural and historical relationship to drive tourism growth.
The minister's call aligns with Ghana's strategy of positioning Nigeria as a key source market for its tourism industry. Stakeholders at the retreat also advocated the removal of barriers to intra-African travel to enable tourism businesses to thrive across the continent.
Safari Valley Eco Resort, owned by forest scientist and conservationist Samuel Afari, used the occasion to showcase its tourism products and reaffirm its commitment to expanding its presence in the Nigerian market.
Afari said the resort was excited to host the Nigerian delegation, noting that both organisations share the vision of promoting African tourism through stronger regional partnerships.
"We at Safari World are very excited to meet our Nigerian colleagues from NANTA. Throughout our discussions with the organisation, especially with the President, Dr. Yinka, it has been encouraging to see that 'Africa for Africa' has remained a shared agenda for both parties," he said.
He added that the visit presents an opportunity to translate that vision into concrete action while strengthening the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Ghana.
Afari also highlighted the role Nigerians have played in transforming business environments across Africa and expressed optimism that closer collaboration would boost investments in nature and maritime tourism.
The resort operates integrated tourism destinations across Accra, Ada and Dawu, offering eco-tourism, hospitality and leisure experiences aimed at regional and international visitors.
NANTA President, Dr. Yinka Folami, who led the Nigerian delegation, said the association would encourage host countries to retain its conferences for at least two consecutive years to foster stronger partnerships and maximise tourism opportunities.
The collaboration is expected to create new travel packages for Nigerian tourists, with a focus on eco-tourism, coastal experiences and community-based tourism.
Industry stakeholders also stressed the need for easier visa processes and stronger public-private partnerships to accelerate tourism development and economic integration across West Africa.
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