The tour was unveiled at a press briefing held at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, drawing key players from tourism, aviation, travel, entertainment, and media industries. The event highlighted the growing emphasis on curated lifestyle travel experiences that promote intra-African tourism and strengthen economic ties between countries.
At the briefing, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Bopo Oyekan-Ismail, underscored the role of tourism and entertainment in Lagos State’s development strategy. Representing the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson, she said the Lagos State Government remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote international travel and position Lagos as a major tourism and aviation hub on the continent.
“Tourism and entertainment are key drivers of economic development in Lagos State. This initiative will not only promote outbound travel but will also stimulate inbound tourism into Lagos from other countries,” Oyekan-Ismail said.
She further explained that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has consistently prioritised tourism, culture, and the creative economy as engines of growth. She noted that the Nairobi Lifestyle Tour aligns with the state’s broader development agenda, adding that the tour is expected to generate economic benefits through increased aviation activities, hospitality patronage, and allied services. She highlighted that all outbound flights for the tour will depart from Lagos, reinforcing the state’s role as a central travel hub.
Michael Kadiri, Chief Executive Officer of Leisure Republic, described the Nairobi Lifestyle Tour as a pioneering move towards premium, curated travel experiences across Africa. He said tourism and lifestyle travel have become powerful tools for economic transformation, capable of creating value across multiple sectors.
“Tourism is no longer just about movement from one country to another; it is about value creation, partnerships and sustainable economic impact,” Kadiri said.
He added that the initiative sets a new benchmark for African lifestyle travel, emphasising intentional Africa-to-Africa tourism, strong collaboration across the tourism value chain, and the creation of long-term tourism bridges that benefit destinations, businesses, and communities.
Kadiri also stated that Leisure Republic’s vision is to drive economic growth through premium tourism offerings spanning culture, entertainment, wildlife, wellness, cuisine, and luxury hospitality. He noted that Kenya provides a rich platform to showcase Africa’s diverse experiences, positioning the Nairobi Lifestyle Tour as a key initiative for boosting cross-border tourism and regional connectivity.