Journal of a Nigerian Entrepreneur Episode 3: Reopening Issues

I am super excited about this month and the coming months. I am also anxious too. Interestingly, the reason for both feelings is just one thing; the ban on interstate movement has been lifted and domestic flights are restarting.

What this means for me is that I can finally start making plans to reopen my business. I am already curating some group tours within Nigeria including a trip to Obudu Cattle Ranch and Yankari Game Reserve. I have done the necessary research on safety procedures to ensure that while the group tours are fun-filled as usual, they are also safe and nobody would end up with coronavirus. I am done with the costing for all my tours and I am at ease to share it with everyone that is interested.

There is just one issue; I do not know how best to announce that 9ja Traveller is reopening for business post-COVID-19 and that I already have some trips planned. How do I communicate to my customers that coming on my tours is quite safe and that no harm will come to them because I have put in all the necessary measures, especially since many people are still feeling too scared to go anywhere?

While I know that the lockdown left many people itching and anxious to go outside and escape being cooped up at home, I am worried that people would not be interested in group tours even if the number of people on the tour is small. I have struggled with anxiety over the future of my business post-pandemic and the successful execution of at least one of my tours would mean a lot to me and reassure me that my business can still thrive in these times. Actually, just a sizeable number of people showing interest in my packages and making deposits for the tours is enough for me.

I need to figure out how to successfully introduce and announce the reopening of 9ja Traveller by next week when I will put out a social media post about the 2020 travel packages. Tejiri, my girlfriend told me to read up on how unified communication can help pass across the message of 9ja Traveller’s reopening. I will research more on this and I shall be back with what I discover.