The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes and seeing new ideas. Al-hatyq Travel & Tours Limited and Freefly Travel Management is a Nigerian Luxury Tourism and Lifestyle brand. Its services include Pilgrimage Packages like Hajj and Umrah Services and Conventional travels. Alhaji Mutiu Adewale Badmus is the Executive Chairman. In an interview with Elitist Media, Alhaji Mutiu Adewale shares insight on his vision for the company and what Government can do to develop the Nigeria travel and tourism industry.
Kindly introduce your humble self? I am a certified and international recognized Travel and Tourism Manager, the Executive Chairman of a dual Travel and Tourism Company namely Al-hatyq and Freefly travel management. Al-hatyq focuses on religious pilgrimage such as Hajj and Umrah while Freefly Travel Management specializes in conventional travels. I hail from Ogbomosho town in Oyo State; I am a Graduate of Physics from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Ogun State, A graduate of the Lagos Business School, an Affiliate of PAN AFRICA UNIVERSITY. I carried out my National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in Bayelsa State with BonVoyage Travels. The travel company worked with Shell Petroleum Development Company handling travel requests of the Lagos, Abuja, Warri and Port Harcourt. Shell offices. I was later posted to Warri as a Supervisor. In October 2005, a new company named “Business Travel Management” took over Bonvoyage Travel as the new travel agent working for Shell Petroleum. I was privileged to be one of few recommended staff to be retained as the new management took charge. I was posted to Port Harcourt an became the Operational Manager. I underwent different International professional trainings and developmental courses all geared towards enhancing my knowledge of the business. In the year 2011, I was transferred to Head office as Operational Manager. As an experienced staff, I enjoyed different level of promotion and international exposures at Business Travel Management. Apart from working with Shell Petroleum Company we also worked for Unilever Plc., Guinness Plc., LLNG and other international corporate body. I went on to become the General Manager, Operations which attracted more benefits and exposure. Tell us about AL-HATYQ Travels & Tours Limited. As an experienced and Internationally recognized leader in the Travel and Tourism industry, lots of people consult me for proper travel documentations and professional advice and as a member of NASFAT, one of the famous Islamic Organization here in Nigeria, lots of members do seek Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimage professional advice and proper documentation. As a result of the good and sincere services I have privately rendered over the years, I am still working with Business Travel Management. I gained the love of more travellers who consult me privately to the extent that the harvest became so ripe that I just had to birth my own company and explore my vision. In the year 2017 I took the bold steps by registering my first travel and tourism company named “AL-HATYQ TRAVEL & TOUR LIMITED” which focused on Religious Pilgrimage such as Hajj, Umrah and Jerusalem. Three years later, February 2020 resigned from Business Travel Management a subsidiary of Shell Petroleum Company. The resignation enabled me to focus more on my new vision and expand my scope. As operations grew at AL-HATYQ Travel and Tour Limited, there was a huge demand for conventional Travel documentation and consultation. However, with the name Al-hatyq, lots of prospective clients saw us as an Islamic organization. So in providing solution to the challenge, we decided to start Freefly Travel Management which takes care of conventional travel and tourism.
What inspired you to venture into travel and tourism services? Overwhelming Demands from Muslim friends and years of experience in the tourism industry inspired me. How would you describe your experience so far in the Nigerian Travel & Tourism Industry? When you are doing what you love, it is just like putting a round peg in a round hole. Nevertheless we need to take the tourism industry to a greater height. Security is a major challenge in the Nigeria Tourism space. No one will visit a poorly secured environment. Did you acquire any special training in the field or you just found yourself doing it? I underwent lots of professional and capacity building development training such as IAAFA, GDS, Lots of Airline international training and I can boldly say I am well equipped professionally. We are also equipping our staff to have more in-depth knowledge when it comes to travel and tourism. Where do you derive your company’s name “AL-HATYQ”? The word Al-hatyq is an Arabic language which means a sacred place, house of God, a place of Prayer. What are the services you offer at AL-HATYQ and Freefly Travel Management? For those who want to embark on Hajj, Umrah, Jerusalem and other conventional Travel we offer general service such as consultation, Ticket, Hotel Booking, Car Hire, Flight booking, Visa and Immigration Advice. What makes AL-HATYQ unique among its peers? Our uniqueness comes from ability to combine religious pilgrimage Hajj & Umrah with conventional travel services. That makes us a one stop shop for your travel needs. Travellers in Nigeria often complain of exploitation by travel agencies. What are you doing as regards assuring customers? Traveling agency is a broad business with different services, so I advise my fellow entrepreneur to stay focused on their areas of jurisdiction to avoid amateur services or unnecessary exploitation. But as for us at Al-hatyq and Freefly Travel Management, our word is our bond. What are the principles guiding your organization? The main principle is our beautiful vision and mission statement. To be responsible for Fifty Percent (50%) of travel and tourism service in Nigeria and to become a leading name in the Nigeria Travel & Tourism Industry in the next 5 years. (Vision 2027). What are the challenges facing your business? Globally, Covid19 affected the tourism and hospitality industry and insecurity is the main problem that is synonymous to the Nigeria tourism industry. We have lot of tourism destinations that people can visit. Like the Yankari game reserve. Bauchi, Ikogosi Hot and Cold water, Idanre water fall in Ekiti State, Tinapa in Calabar, Obudu Cattle Ranch, just to mention few. But insecurity and power supply is a big threat.
How do you envision AL-HATYQ Travel and Tours Limited in the nearest future? Nothing but to cater for Fifty percent 50% of all travel and tourism services in Nigeria. Also to expand our branches across major cities in Nigeria. Presently, we are in Lagos, Abeokuta, Ilorin, Ibadan, Ado Ekiti, and our Abuja office is been nurtured. We also have plans to own our own private charter Airline in the nearest future. Thinking for Nigerians, How affordable are your services at Al-Hatyq? We ensure good discounted rate for our customers in all our services so that wherever they are, they will be the ones to testify for our company. What are your hobbies? As a social butterfly, I love attending parties; I love travelling and unwind with friends What is your advice to young Nigerians who aspired to wear your shoe? My candid advice to them is whatever you find yourself doing, seek more knowledge and do it to the best of your ability.
