The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, has called for deliberate policies and structural reforms to transform Nigeria’s popular “Detty December” surge into a sustainable, all-year tourism engine.
Speaking during a virtual conference themed “Detty December: The Lessons and Impact,” organised by Naija7Wonders, Uriesi stressed that Nigeria must move beyond seasonal spikes and adopt intentional strategies to unlock the full potential of its tourism sector.
Drawing from his experience as former chairman of Cape Town Destination Marketing, he explained how Cape Town successfully transitioned from a seasonal destination to a year-round global hub through strategic investments. He noted that the development of a world-class convention centre in 2006 became a turning point, attracting international conferences and stabilising visitor traffic throughout the year.
Uriesi highlighted that Nigeria’s “Detty December” phenomenon has grown organically, driven largely by returning Nigerians and diaspora visitors, but lacks the structure needed for long-term sustainability. He warned that the country remains heavily reliant on domestic tourism, with foreign leisure travellers still forming a small percentage of visitors.
He further cautioned that Nigeria risks losing out to competing destinations such as South Africa, Ghana, and Senegal, which benefit from stronger infrastructure and better global perception.
A major concern, according to the aviation expert, is the poor airport experience, which he described as the first impression for visitors. He pointed to persistent bottlenecks and outdated processes at entry points as factors undermining Nigeria’s appeal despite its rich cultural offerings.
While acknowledging the resilience of the December tourism boom even amid high travel costs and logistical challenges, Uriesi emphasised the need for improved infrastructure, better service delivery, and coordinated policies to scale the opportunity.
He added that with the right approach, Nigeria could significantly boost international tourist arrivals, including attracting non-Nigerian leisure travellers who currently overlook the country.
Uriesi also disclosed plans by Ibom Air to expand its fleet over the next two years, noting that increased capacity is essential for competitiveness in the aviation industry and for supporting broader tourism growth.