The Root Gazette Africa
Hon. Abolaji. J. Kilani
Hon. Abolaji J. Kelani, FITPN FOSHA MTHC MSc., hails from Sango-Ota, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria. He is a politician and a seasoned tourism consultant with a 16-year track record. Recognized for his outstanding contributions, he was bestowed with the prestigious Nigeria Tourism Promoter of the Year Award in 2021 and received the national award of excellence in the travel business at the National Tourism Transportation Summit in 2022.
Chairing the Ogun State Chapter of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), he holds the esteemed position of Fellow in the ITPN, as well as in the Occupational Safety & Health Association (OSHA). Additionally, he is a member of the Association of Tourism & Hospitality Consultants in Nigeria (ATHCON), the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), the African Tourism Association (ATA), and the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA).
Furthermore, Hon. Abolaji J. Kelani serves as the Director of Studies at Aerovessel School of Aviation and Tourism Management, a renowned professional institute that has successfully produced over 1000 professionals. He is also the CEO of Aerovessel Travels and Tours Ltd, the CEO of Ollyrhymes Global Resources Ltd, and the Director of Studies Aerovessel School of Information & Technology. In the process of actualizing the aims and objectives of AEROVESSEL as global destination management company, he started a global operation with a registered and certified name Aerovessel Global Services & Institute, Texas United State.
With a strong educational background, he attended Ideal Nursery and Primary School and Methodist High School, Arigbajo Ifo Ogun State where he attained his first school leaving certificate and senior secondary school certificate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Information Technology from the National Open University of Nigeria. He also possesses a National Diploma in Computer Science from Lagos State Polytechnic, as well as an Advanced Diploma Certificate and an MBA in Business Management from the International Business Management Institute in Berlin, Germany. Moreover, he has obtained professional certifications in travel and tourism and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism.
A seasoned professional in the travel, tourism and information technology industry, Hon. Abolaji J. Kelani has garnered extensive knowledge and certification in Ticketing and Reservation systems such as Amadeus, Galileo, and Sabre. He is recognized as a Nigeria Tourism Specialist, Dubai Expert, South Africa Expert, Spain Expert, Ireland Expert, BritAgent, and Aussie Expert with certificates.
In 2020, he was honored as one of the Top 100 Tourism Personalities in Nigeria and was inducted into the prestigious 100 Tourism Club. Furthermore, he has actively contributed to reducing unemployment in Nigeria by empowering individuals in the aviation, travel, tourism, hospitality and information technology sectors.
Hon. Abolaji J. Kelani, the CEO of Aerovessel Travels and Tours Ltd, has been instrumental in the commendable success of AEROVESSEL SCHOOL OF AVIATION & TOURISM MANAGEMENT, the current National Award of Excellence Institute in Tourism and Hospitality Training. This privately owned aviation and tourism school, with campuses in Lagos and Ogun State, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to empowering Nigerian youths and fostering career opportunities in the aviation and tourism industry.
Under Hon. Kelani's astute leadership, Aerovessel Schools has achieved remarkable results in delivering quality education and training to aspiring aviation, tourism and information technology professionals, through their affiliation and partnership with prestigious institutions and government parastatals such as the National Institute for Hospitality & Tourism (NIHOTOUR), T-Max, Industrial Training Fund(ITF), Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The unwavering dedication of Hon. Abolaji Kelani and his team has enabled AEROVESSEL SCHOOLS to establish a strong footing in the industries, now getting a global recognition as a registered institute in the United State. Through their comprehensive curriculum and hands-on training, they have successfully nurtured countless Nigerian youths, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the dynamic aviation, tourism and information technology sectors.
Can you share with us some key milestones in the journey of Aerovessels Travels and Tour Ltd, and how they have contributed to revolutionizing the aviation and tourism sectors in Africa?
There's a lot tied/ attached to Aerovessels Travels and Tour. In 2014, we started with just Aerovessels Travels and Tour Ltd. because it wasn't easy putting our aims and objectives together, the same year, at the same time. We had to come up with "step algorithm" which computer scientist call "step to step sequence" of solving a problem. This was done after I left my place of work in order to focus on tackling the challenges facing Aerovessels Travels and Tour Ltd. Every duty was handled by me. I served as the manager, accountant, customer representative etc. it's a different story today because we were able to achieve our goals and we are still forging ahead.
In 2016, when the company began to gain financial stability, we decided to start the school, Aerovessels school of Aviation and Tourism Management. As time went by, we began to implement/introduce other objectives. Aerovessels is now a global destination company. The company is represented in other parts of the world. Our impact in revolutionizing the Aviation and Tourism sector through training is greatly felt. We have successfully trained over 1000 individuals who are now CEOs and employers of labor in the tourist industry. We have also trained people holding key positions in the private and public sectors around. Our belief in making professionals has led to the development of the industry. We have succeeded in bridging the gap between the demand and supply of the industry.
As both the Founder & CEO of Aerovessels Travels and Tour Ltd and the Director of Studies at Aerovessels School of Aviation and Tourism Management, how do you balance your roles and responsibilities to ensure success in both endeavors?
This is the easiest thing I have come across, being the CEO of the Aerovessels Travels and Tour Ltd, the director of studies, Aerovessels Tourism Management. As a director, you must know the tools and technologies, everything about the students, lecturers, and curriculum. Majority of the work at the school is practical. I also work as the director of the training school and handle the major courses like, international travels and tourism, etiquette observation, among others. My experience as a teacher made it easy for me to train the students.
Getting finances was a major challenge when we started. Money was needed to carry out some projects. To attain that height in travels and tours you must be buoyant financially. We started with less than 300k, but we were able to manage, get an understanding of the industry, gain grounds, got opportunities to travel around, all these and more helped us to overcome the financial aspect.
There is the customer challenge. I always tell my employers that customers are like "prostitutes," you might be assisting them with all that is needed for their traveling, but a single mistake from you can make them ditch you for another. They won't consider the years you have been assisting them and the numbers have successful ones you have recorded. Imagine using five (5) years to build a relationship with a client, and a single mistake from you sends them running. To solve the issue of losing clients and not gaining any, I had to employ the service of online marketers. Their expertise helped bring in customers and I immediately built a relationship with them. Truth be told, customers are easier to lose than to gain, because you have to gain their trust. Trust us and an important factor that must be put into consideration in this line of business.
For me, I don't just invite them to the company, I make sure they come into my office, this will make them see the certificates and other documents displayed.
There is also the challenge of denial. Most Nigerians are desperate to leave the country. When they are asked questions on why they are traveling, they'd cook up stories that would earn them denial instead of approval. And this easily discourages them, they don't want to listen to whatever you have to say to make them reapply.
Aerovessels Travels and Tour Ltd will be celebrating its 10th anniversary, and this year will also make it 16 years of my presence in the industry. Imaging losing customers despite all these years of expertise.
Racism globally is another challenge, you will have to give several explanations before you get accepted and recognised as a professional.
I spend quite a lot traveling from one country to the other just to gain experience to convince clients.
There is the partner challenge, the destination management company (DMC) in other countries are fake, they lack integrity, and transparency. As the face of the company, you strike deals with these people only to discover that they are fake, money gone, and your customers begin to see you as fake.
I'm presently in the United States, but the difference in time zone has not and will never stop me from attending to clients when they reach out. I always make myself available.
In your opinion, what are the most promising opportunities for growth and innovation in the aviation and tourism sectors in Africa, and how is Aerovessels Travels and Tour Ltd positioned to capitalize on them?
Partnership: All Travels and Tourism companies are expected to work together. For instance, the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria has played a vital role in being part of the West African Private Operators, this has never happened. They now partner different airlines to facilitate traveling processes. The subsidy in cost of flight was implemented after the COVID-19 pandemic was a pointer.
Presently, you need to have the sum of 2 million to travel to the UK, this used to be 300k.
Air peace came on board and reduced this to 900k, when other airlines saw this, they began to lower their prices, some to 700k, and some others 500k.
As we speak, all the associations are working together for a smoother transaction or business.
As a destination service provider, you have to be on social media, this way people get to trust you, especially when they see that you have visited most of these countries.
Another one is Blended Travels, the industry welcomes this. Travelers also leverage flexible and hybrid working models, to work and travel at the same time.
As a leader in the aviation and tourism industries, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs and industry professionals looking to make an impact in Africa's travel sector?
I will advise that they learn the tools and technology of the industry before going into it. They should also associate themselves with bodies that will enhance their growth. The Travel and tourism industry is not one you just jump into because you feel there's money in it. If you jump in you will jump out in no time, garbage in garbage out (GIGO). Go for training , be consistent, be trustworthy, and be transparent.
You learn aviation like you learn other skills. Avoid throwing money into it to avoid losing out. I do research, consult professionals, a
nd visit countries. Just be on top of your game.
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The Root Gazette Africa