REPORTER: BEN UZOEGBUNAM
Enugu State-owned airline, Enugu Air, has entered into a strategic partnership with Jands Travel Business School (JTBS), an Enugu-based institution specialising in travel, tourism, leisure and hospitality education, to position the state as a leading hub for leisure, business and investment.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formalised the partnership, was signed on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Ifennia Court, Independence Layout, Enugu, ahead of the 2026 Domestic Tourism Festival (DTF) organised by Jands Travel Business School.
The three-day festival is scheduled to hold at Amadeo Event Centre, Enugu, from September 4 to 6, 2026, with the theme: “Innovation and Technology for Peaceful Domestic Tourism.”
The event is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates, including over 300 travel agencies from across Nigeria, as well as tourism boards, airlines, hospitality operators, investors, media organisations and international guests. Activities lined up for the festival include tourism exhibitions, business networking sessions, cultural displays and entertainment performances.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chairman of the JTBS Board of Trustees, Chief Ben Etiaba, described the partnership as both an honour and a significant opportunity to advance tourism and aviation development in Enugu State.
According to Etiaba, the agreement represents more than the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, describing it as a shared vision aimed at strengthening the relationship between education and industry, tourism and aviation, as well as transforming aspirations into tangible opportunities.
“Today is about more than a Memorandum of Understanding. It is about a shared vision. It is about institutions coming together to build bridges between education and industry, between tourism and aviation, and between aspiration and opportunity,” he said.
He noted that tourism remains one of the world’s fastest-growing economic sectors, creating employment opportunities, stimulating entrepreneurship, preserving culture, strengthening national identity and contributing significantly to economic growth.
According to him, sustainable tourism requires reliable transportation, skilled professionals, innovative partnerships and visionary leadership.
Etiaba commended the management of Enugu Air for embracing the collaboration at the early stage of the airline’s operations.
“Your willingness to support initiatives that promote tourism and human capital development speaks volumes about your corporate vision and commitment to the development of Enugu State and Nigeria,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the success of the partnership, he said it would serve as a model for effective collaboration and contribute meaningfully to the growth of tourism, aviation and the state’s economy.
He added that the forthcoming Domestic Tourism Festival would provide a platform to celebrate Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage while showcasing Enugu as a destination for leisure, business, investment and innovation.
In her remarks, the Director of Jands Travel Business School, Mrs. Chioma Obi, expressed appreciation to Enugu Air for partnering with the institution to promote tourism, aviation and the hospitality industry.
She described the Domestic Tourism Festival, now in its third edition, as a growing national platform for tourism development that brings together government agencies, private sector organisations, travel professionals, investors, academia and development partners.
Mrs. Obi disclosed that while the 2025 edition attracted 1,287 participants, this year’s festival is expected to host more than 2,000 delegates, including over 300 travel agencies from across Nigeria, tourism boards, airlines, hospitality operators, investors, media organisations and international guests.
She noted that the partnership would further strengthen JTBS’s mission of showcasing Enugu’s tourism potential, attracting investment and creating new opportunities across the tourism value chain.
Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of Enugu Air, Mr. Ugonna Agubuokwu, expressed delight over the collaboration and commended Jands Travel Business School for its commitment to promoting Nigeria’s tourism industry.
“As an airline, we are honoured to be part of this initiative. We all know what tourism brings to our economy. It promotes growth and development, tells the story of who we are and, above all, generates revenue. We will use this festival as a gateway to showcase our routes and domestic destinations. That is why we are proud to be part of this great event,” he said.
Agubuokwu expressed confidence that the September 4–6 Domestic Tourism Festival would be a resounding success for both Jands Travel Business School and Enugu Air, while further strengthening Enugu State’s position as a preferred destination for tourism and investment.
