Summer Vacation During Economic Downturn

While this might be unusual in a country where outbound travel is a fad and a status symbol, it is a reality due to the prevailing economic adversity.

The unstable and incredibly high foreign exchange rates have made it impossible for many to travel for summer holidays this year, leaving only the very wealthy to do so, as borrowing to fund such an extravagant passion is no longer feasible. With the Naira depreciating against major global currencies almost daily, the Nigerian traveling public is holding back. Currently, the Naira exchanges for N1,500/$ and above, forcing potential holidaymakers to exceed their budgets, while those with limited means shy away.

“Now, I realize how bad our economy is. My agent is demanding N8 million for a family of four for two weeks’ summer in London, inclusive of flight and accommodation. He insisted I pay immediately in May when I made the bookings, as prices change daily due to the unstable exchange rate. I paid an additional N850,000 for paying a week later,” said Ademola Onikeku, a corporate executive.

He further lamented that the Naira is severely weakening against the Dollar and Pound, the two currencies most needed for travel, making short-term holiday planning difficult and requiring adjustments that pinch the pocket even after long-term planning.

Moreover, the situation is worsened by the absence of cheap airfares and the high cost of hotel accommodation during summer, which is the peak season for hoteliers. Currently, the cheapest flight on the Lagos-London route is N1,800,000, with travel agents warning of further increases for summer holidays. Some airlines charge as much as N2.5 million for a return ticket, with others approaching N3 million.

The US, Canada, and Caribbean Islands routes are farther and more expensive, leaving potential holidaymakers nearly breaking the bank to satisfy their wanderlust.

“The fares are not too expensive as we think. It is just because the Naira keeps depreciating in value every day. If we have a strong Naira, like N500 to $1, most travelers will not complain.

“The government should get serious with measures to strengthen the Naira, else the woes will continue and even get worse next summer,” explained Diamond Ekoi, a travel agent. Further blaming the high cost of summer on currency volatility, Ekoi lamented that an economy return ticket he got for a client at N1,807,063 last month is now N2,454,896.

“When my clients book tickets on hold, I always tell them that the prices quoted can change anytime and are subject to availability, especially for summer. So, I don’t ask them to send their passport data page for booking again, but money to authenticate the bookings because airlines are cashing out this period. There are no cheap tickets for summer; the ones available now are for the highest bidders because we have entered the peak of the season,” Ekoi said.

Apart from airfares, Pascal Obidiegwu, a tour operator, noted that accommodation is quite high in foreign destinations this summer, with some hotels requiring guests to pay ahead instead of saying they are overbooked.

“An average standard room in any European city goes from $150, while those in resorts start at $300. So, imagine how expensive the executive rooms and suites will be. If you consider the exchange rate and the number of days you are going to stay in such hotels, especially as a family, you will realize the huge sum that will amount to. So, accommodation is no longer cheap in Europe for summer, especially because of the Olympics in France this period. European cities are connected for easy movement, and hoteliers know guests will take advantage of this, especially for the Olympics. So, rates are very high now until the Olympics end and later in the year when winter sets in,” Obidiegwu said.

Additionally, due to rising global inflation, Bunmi Fadahunsi, a tour broker with extensive foreign partnerships, noted that rates for normal tours, city breaks, cinema tickets, live performances, hiking, and other leisure activities have increased, adding a financial burden on visitors.

From cinema tickets and city tours to museum passes, visitors now pay more while on summer rest. “You cannot travel for summer just to sleep in your hotel room; you need complementary activities, which are not cheap anymore. Many hotels in London, Paris, and Barcelona do not offer complimentary breakfast anymore. You pay for extra water and room service. I always caution my clients to be conscious of hidden charges; they are there, hidden, and await clueless guests. That is why you must research your destinations, hotels, and flights before booking them,” Fadahunsi said.

But while rates are increasing daily and frustrating many potential summer holidaymakers, some are finding ways around it. According to Fadahunsi, many now struggle for flight tickets and split their accommodation across some days, staying with family members and friends and in cheaper hotels.

“That was an option one of my clients proposed last year, and it worked perfectly for his family. I only got his return tickets, and he sorted the rest in his own ingenious way. But immigration, especially in the US, frowns on it because they cannot track your movement and expenses during your stay. You can be denied a visa next time if the hotel you claimed to have stayed in denies seeing you,” she explained.

Another way, according to Olanma Ojukwu, CEO of GOTA Voyages in Cotonou, Benin Republic, is to book from less-traveled airports.

“A lot of our Nigerian clients travel from Cotonou Airport because fares are cheaper from there to anywhere in the world than from Lagos or Abuja airports,” she said. But the challenge for many, according to Lucky George, a travel expert, is moving from Lagos and crossing the Seme border to Benin Republic.

The GOTA CEO also noted that potential travelers do not research enough to know cheaper destinations and that holidaymakers in Africa hardly plan ahead of their trips as Europeans and Americans do.

“These are some reasons many pay so much for little experiences for summer holidays in foreign destinations,” she noted.

“It is not all about searching online. You need to hand over your travels to professionals because we work with other tour companies worldwide; we work with airlines, hotels, and destinations. So, we know the cheap destinations and airfares. Start early for your summer, engage us on time, and you will pay less for your holiday,” advised Emerson Akusua, an Accra-based tour operator.

In Nigeria, tour companies such as Wakanow offer split payment options for potential holidaymakers, but the challenge is that most people hardly take advantage of it and end up canceling their trips or paying more for tickets at the last minute. However, the essence of summer holidays is to rest and enjoy quality time with oneself or family. Considering that and, most importantly, the cost constraint, some people believe that summer holidays do not always have to be in foreign destinations to be memorable.

There are some enthralling destinations across Nigeria, West Africa, and Africa that rival overseas offerings, said Ikechi Uko, leader of The Team Africa (TTA), an elite group of African tourism and travel professionals working to see Africans travel more within the continent.

Uko, who travels more within Africa and recently led a four-country trip across Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, and Ghana, pointed to destinations with more memorable experiences along these West African tourism corridors for summer holidays.

In Nigeria, from Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ekiti, and Lagos to Enugu, Uko noted that there are beautiful destinations to host anybody, no matter the experiences they want.

In Benin Republic, Ganvie, Quidah, and Cotonou easily come to mind, while Lome is a shining star on the coast. In Ghana, Uko noted that Akosombo is the destination to beat.

Also pointing to local options in West Africa, Ojukwu noted that Casa de Papa, set on the bank of the Atlantic Ocean in Benin Republic, is worth a summer holiday trip considering that it is cheaper, visa-free, and in proximity to Lagos.

Emmanuel Mensah, sales director of Royal Senchi Resort in Akosombo, Ghana, noted that the resort set on the bank of the world’s largest artificial lake is a one-stop shop for leisure this summer.

East African destinations are also cheaper than most European, American, and Arabian destinations. Rwanda and Seychelles are visa-free for Nigerians and offer competitive rates on the continent.

Additionally, the emergence of Uganda Airlines among the burgeoning East African carriers in Nigeria since October last year has impacted airfares, with cheaper flights to the country, region, and other parts of the world, especially India.

Offering detailed local options in Nigeria, Shalom Asuquo, a tour operator, noted that Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort is still one of the best for long-staying guests and memorable summer experiences in Nigeria. Its expansive natural environment, beautiful golf course, easy flight access, good road network, security, and being a very cheap option compared to the very expensive foreign destinations are reasons Asuquo recommends the resort to summer holidaymakers.

Also, the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort in Ekiti State has the capacity to host visitors for as long as they want to stay without being bored due to the presence of mother nature, exciting recreational activities, adventures like nature camping and hiking, and hospitable people, among others.

The many ocean and lagoon-facing resorts in Lagos are also worth visiting this summer. From the enthralling Inagbe Resort, Ilashe beachfront houses, Ziba Resort, to La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, the biggest of them all, Lagos has more to offer this summer. For lovers of culture, there are many festivals to attend, parties, music, live performances, and entertainment shows to see this summer across the destinations you choose to visit.

From the Osun Osogbo festival in the West, the Leboku festival in the South-South, new yam festivals in the South East, to the