Shina Daodu, the Chief Executive Officer of 1860 Travels Ltd, speaks with the GLOBAL EXCELLENCE magazine on his dream business, the uniqueness and progress plans, including the special Big5 summer holiday packages, aimed to make easier tourists visit all round especially its Suncity trip slated for August 2017, and more.
Tell us about 1860 Travels Ltd.
1860 is a travel management company specialized in servicing trade requests globally and touching on MICE, meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions, flights bookings, hotel bookings tours and travel packages, airport and city transfers, travels and Visa advisory services, and a whole lot more.
What was it like starting the business?
Setting up the brand was based on my desire to penetrate the industry with travel technology because of my background in ICT having studied Computer Engineering in the University of Benin. I started the brand with no start up capital, all I had was expertise and I positivey exploited it.
Tell us what the challenges have been so far?
Honestly, there have been quite a number of challenges. Remember that I said earlier that I founded the brand with no capital seed, which made executions very slow. Secondly, there was the challenge against small businesses which is manpower. We struggled to get capable hands that could support the vision. But I was able to overcome those challenges because I believed in my vision, stayed focus while I was steadily pushing and fervently prayerful to God who blesses us whilst we are asleep;
What’s the BigFive summer package all about?
The Big 5 Summer Edition is an organized travel/hospitality package for our most traveled destinations within the past months, for a host of tourists to know and enjoy the beauty, opulence and activities these destinations have to offer, amongst which is one Smart Destination – Sun City. The Big 5 Summer Edition includes 5 countries namely South Africa, USA, UAE, Spain and the UK with 10 destinations namely Sun City and Johannesbsurg, Miami, Orlando and Las Vegas, Dubai, Ibiza, Barcelona & Valencia, and London.
What is Smart Destination-Sun City?
Sun City is our smart destination this time as we are offering this holiday package through our Holiday Card Technology. We launched the local edition of this product earlier in the year having used this for the hospitality package we offered during the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. We are testing the waters in the international market with the introduction of this Sun City Holiday Card which serves various needs through the time of the holiday. The Sun City Holiday Package Card comes in two variants; Standard and Premium of 5 and 7 nights preferences which includes flight, hotel, local transportation, travel insurance, tours and activities, just to mention a few. The beauty of this idea is that it creates a Do-it-Yourself, DIY, effect available off the shelf around and about Click and Collect Points, as well as it could be purchased online and couriered to buyers.
What differentiates yours from other agencies’ packages?
What differentiates every business is in their mode of packaging. We try to be as organized as possible in other to instil confidence in the mindset of our customers whether business or individuals.
What are your expansion plans?
We are expanding already, as we are pushing our signature brands that are able to take care of different needs in the travels and tours industry both home and abroad, part of which are Backpackaz – Our Holiday Brand, Gidi Getaway and Pass – Holiday Brand for Lagos, Gidi City Tour – a unique tour ride around Lagos and a couple more.
