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Glocient Hospitality Limited took centre stage on Day Two of the 68th United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) Conference which just concluded in Abuja, presenting a bold vision for the future of tourism in Africa, one that is rooted in empowerment, sustainability, and innovation.
Delivering a presentation titled “Hospitality with Heart: Creating Tourism Spaces that Empower Communities and Celebrate Nature through Innovation,” Glocient’s General Manager, Mr. Sharafa Balogun, called on African hospitality leaders to go beyond conventional tourism models and embrace a more intentional, impact-driven approach.“Tourism must do more than entertain, it must enrich,” said Mr. Balogun. “At Glocient, we are committed to creating experiences that are not only memorable for guests, but meaningful for the communities and environments that host them.”
Drawing from the revitalisation of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort in Ekiti State, Mr Balogun highlighted how Glocient is integrating youth empowerment, gender inclusion, and ecological education into the guest experience. At Ikogosi, local youths are trained and employed in key hospitality roles, while women make up 60 per cent of the workforce a testament to the company’s focus on inclusive growth. The presentation also unveiled an ambitious four-phase innovation project at Ikogosi: the development of an AI-powered educational chatbot designed to offer real-time, culturally contextual information about the site’s botanical heritage. The project, currently in its second phase, aims to blend technology with tradition and turn the resort into an immersive learning environment where guests connect deeply with nature.
