People travel for a variety of reasons: to escape, explore, understand, and participate. But at the core of the experience lies the destination — the place that hands something to the traveler to keep forever and share with others and for that, they need a Destination Insider.

DESTINATION CONNECT is a professional Destination Management company in , , specialized in the design, planning and delivery of accommodations, tours, events, meetings, conferences, activities, transportation, and logistics all over Nigeria and West- Africa, possessing and utilizing extensive local knowledge, expertise and resources to provide a memorable experience.

We are a proud member of SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence), a global platform for incentive professionals with presence in over 90 countries. We are also the exclusive member of 1DMC Africa, representing Nigeria.

Our team’s determination to exceed expectations ensures that our clients receive exceptional personal service and product delivery when booking with us for their individual travelers, incentives, conferences, leisure, or MICE groups.

Our experienced and creative Destination & Travel Managers provide services solely responsive to the needs of our clients. We know that our clients and travel partners want to work with a customer focused company ………………………………………………………………….. this is both what and who we are!

Our Vision Statement

TO CREATE A GLOBAL PLATFORM THAT WOULD BECOME A RESPECTED AND PROFESSIONAL DESTINATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY IN NIGERIA AND WEST- AFRICA, PROVIDING THE BEST DESTINATION INSIDER KNOWLEDGE AND LOCAL EXPERTISE.

Our Values

P.R.I.D.E

Pride – We take pride in all aspects of the work we do

Responsibility – We take care of everything from start to finish

Integrity – We are always open, honest, and work in an ethical way

Dedication – We will do everything possible to ensure our clients’ satisfaction

Expressiveness – We express our creativity with the concepts and ideas we provide

Your benefits at a glance... Why working with us?

Substantiated track record in delivering successful programs

Respected reputation

Well-established working relationship with key government agencies

Vast experience conducting business in Nigeria and West-Africa.

Strong relationship with all suppliers (locations and venues, artists, transportation companies, governments, guides, AV, photography, etc.)

Intrinsic knowledge of the main cities in Nigeria and West-Africa.

What We Do

DESTINATION MANAGEMENT

The official definition of a Destination Management Company (DMC), as defined by the Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME) is:

"A professional services company possessing extensive local knowledge, expertise and resources, specializing in the design and implementation of events, activities, tours, transportation and logistics."

We have developed skills, competencies and relationships with suppliers and relevant government agencies in providing excellent services to our clients in Nigeria and in the West-Africa community.

That is why we are regarded as “the destination insider”.

GROUND HANDLING AND TRANSFER LOGISTICS

No matter the size of your program or tour, we guarantee efficient and flexible support for your transfers needs. Our services include:

Optimized control and set up of arrival/departure lists

Tour guides, armed escorts, hosts, hospitality staff and interpreters

Transport organization by coaches, luxury cars or 4x4 Jeep

24/7 hotline available for emergencies

TOURS

From guided group tours to day excursions and to city breaks, we provide you the right services! Our team of knowledgeable planners have years of experience in the travel business, and therefore we can confidently claim to be the ideal partner for all kind of tours.

Our selection of services: Highly professional local guides Deluxe coaches Accommodation adapted to your budget and expectations Special unexpected highlights throughout the program 24/7 hotline available for emergencies

HOTELS

As our business is not limited to only room booking, we have developed a very strong relationship with the main hotel chains, as well as with privately owned hotels throughout Nigeria and West-Africa for your meetings and conferences.

DESTINATION HONEYMOON

We can hand-craft the ideal honeymoon holiday with an itinerary as full, or as empty, as you wish. We can also recommend the ideal honeymoon hideaways, the most deserted beaches and the hotels which combine the highest standards with the most unobtrusive service to allow you to enjoy a truly private paradise honeymoon.

Contact us ahead of your visit and we will develop your dream holiday for you and that most special person.

MEETINGS/INCENTIVES/CONFERENCES

Let our local knowledge take care of the smallest details, so that you can take care of your guests!

Meetings With so many fantastic venues to fit all budgets, from 3-star hotels to 5-star resorts, you have the choice which will fit your needs. Whatever your meeting requirement is; a small meeting, a brainstorming session, or a series of training seminars, we can help you to organize every detail and will take care of your delegates from the moment they step off the plane to the minute they get back onboard.

Incentives The West-Africa destination is perfect for incentives with so many exciting experiences and venues we can create a bespoke incentive program which will have all your delegates wanting to come back for more. We can create programs that are themed i.e. Sports, Golf, Historical, Glitz & Glamour, Shopping, Exciting activities. The list of possibilities is endless, and we will create the perfect program for you, organizing every detail.

Conferences Big or small, we can source the hotel or venue to suit your specific needs. Whatever you need to make your conference perfect, we will make it happen for you.

EVENT MANAGEMENT

We will organize whatever you need to make your event special, whether it is an informal party or a formal presentation ceremony we can make it happen in style; Translation booths, audio visual equipment, DJ’s, entertainment, party theme, dining arrangements, corporate gifts and so much more.

Theme party design,

Team building,

Chartering arrangements,

Corporate gift design,

Dining arrangements,

Entertainment booking and co-ordination,

Guest speaker bookings,

Event theme

Meeting coordination,

Educational tours,

Cultural programs, Audio-visual co-ordination,

Attendee database management

Special dinner arrangements Special tours and excursions for groups or individuals

Our Satisfied Clients include:

 United States Department of Commerce (Commercial Law Development Program CLDP)

 Terumo BCT

 GlaxoSmithKline

 Nokia

 Swift Belgium

 MCI Brussels

 120-man Business Delegation of the President of the Republic of Turkey (Abuja & Abidjan)

 ETS MICE Turkey

 Oracle

 Hyundai South-Korea

 Jovago (now Travel)

 Mastercard/Inspire

 Expedia

Meet Our Team

OLUMIDE OLUSANYA – Founder/Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Olumide Olusanya founded Destination Connect in 2013 with over 12 years’ experience in tourism, aviation, and destination management in West-Africa.

A 1998 graduate of Agricultural Economics, he holds a master’s degree in Tourism Management and Development from the University of Ibadan.

His background includes key leadership and business development roles for reputable tourism and aviation organizations and he has a proven record of accomplishment for achieving targets across multiple African markets.

He started his career in banking with a brief stint with the Union Bank group. Afterwards, he followed his passion which is travel.

He joined Leisure Afrique, a foremost tour operator in West-Africa in 2004 and was responsible for its business operations in , Gambia, and Sao Tome & Principe.

In 2011, he co-founded Skybridge Aviation, a general sales/service agent(GSSA) and was part of the 2-man team that won the bid for Air Namibia’s representation in Nigeria. In addition to overseeing the commercial activities of Skybridge Aviation, Olumide was also responsible for the company’s global affiliations and representation.

He was also responsible for developing Air Namibia’s sales and marketing strategy for Nigeria and West-Africa on their entry into the West-African market in 2011.

Prior to starting Destination Connect in 2013, Olumide handled strategic business development for Jovago (now Jumia travel) Africa’s largest online hotel booking portal. He has also worked as a Strategy and business development Consultant in various aspects of tourism, hospitality, and E- commerce across West-African sub-region.

At Destination Connect, he is responsible for providing business development and destination management for inbound businesses to Nigeria and West-Africa.

He is the administrator of African Travel Updates, an online travel news resource blog with over 8,000 followership and the coordinator of Aviators Nigeria, a Facebook group for travel enthusiasts with over 1,000 members.

He is a strong believer that Africa is set to be next frontier for global trade and investment. Hence the need for its entrepreneurs to adapt global practice to local realities.

He is passionate about African travel, tourism, technology, and cycling.

His main purpose is to build his company to be an African global player, keep the culture and have fun along the way.

AYOKUNLE FATOKUN – Executive Director

Ayokunle holds a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and a master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics.

He started his career in Agricultural & Water Engineering Services as a Project Economist before he joined the financial services industry in 1998 when he joined Diamond Bank Plc.

He was very instrumental to expanding the depth and reach of the bank’s business in the South- West, growing the business by over 400% in two years.

He was the Regional Head of the infrastructure finance function in South-West Nigeria and one- time head of the Development Finance Group for Skye Bank Plc, where he designed and developed several agriculture and infrastructure related projects for the bank.

He has had extensive training in Business Development, Asset Management and Public Private Partnership (PPP) transaction structuring.

With over eighteen years of work experience most of which have been spent in the Banking Industry, Ayokunle has functioned in key management positions across functions that include Retail Banking, Commercial Banking, Corporate Banking, Investment Banking and Project Finance, and particularly has a penchant for greenfields.

OYINOZA OLUSANYA – General Manager (Operations/Administration)

Oyinoza brings onboard extensive experience in event management spanning over 15years.

She holds a master’s degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan.

Prior to setting up her own outfit, she has worked at the Central Bank of Nigeria where she acquired skills in finance and administration.

However, she has built a strong reputation for herself in event management with emphasis on special events like congresses and conventions.

Her expertise is of immense benefit in event management and public relations.

She is a travel enthusiast.

OLUWASEUN WARD - Head of Operations

Oluwaseun, graduate of English and Literature, started his travel career at Evergreen Travels, where he learnt and excelled as a travel consultant and tour guide.

He has acquired relevant experience and skills in West-African travels.

He is energetic with a strong passion for travel and networking.

BABATUNDE BELLO – Head of Administration

Babatunde has passion for travel, exploring diverse cultures.

A lover of music, networking, good food and dogs, Babatunde has a degree in English and Literary Studies.

Babatunde started his career at HoneyB, an event management outfit, where he acquired skills and competencies in event management. He also worked as a travel consultant with Evergreen Travels where he gathered relevant experiences in the travel trade.

OPRAH – Office Pet

Oprah is a German Shepherd dog which adds great warmth and grace to our office. She is highly intelligent and quick to make friends.

However, she is not as punctual during office hours as she is very fussy as to when she resumes.

She loves long walks and enjoys car rides.

Kindly Contact us:

TEL: +234 (0) 8181968368, 8025660607

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.connectdmc.com

THANK YOU