Transcorp Hotels Unveils ‘Aura’ for Hospitality Industry

Obinna Chimaa

One of Africa’s leading hospitality brands, Transcorp Hotels Plc, yesterday officially unveiled its ‘Aura,’ a new digital platform through which people can book accommodation and restaurants.

The launch of the platform which was led by Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, also had in attendance, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; the Chairman of Transcorp/Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Hon. Ndudi Elumelu; among others.

Speaking at the event, the Vice President, who narrated his experience while navigating through the App, enjoined real estate operators and others in the hospitality business to take advantage of the opportunities it offers.

“I had thought that the App was only available on Android devices; so I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is also available on Apple. So, I downloaded the App and I have it both on my phone and on my iPad. I find the dashboard quite easy to navigate.

“I think many property owners would find the features most fascinating; so this would enable them to list their properties and there are terms and conditions for your property to be accepted, same for whatever other entertainment facility you may wish to put there,” Osinbajo explained.

According to him, the unique offering the digital platform offers is that by opening up for the industry, Transcorp was, “putting its huge reputation behind the service of helping customers choose the best locations, hotels and restaurants available in Nigeria.”

He listed other benefits of the digital platform to include the fact that customers would be allowed to rely on the experience and judgment of world class personnel at Transcorp in choosing hotels and restaurants.

Secondly, Transcorp helps to build other smaller hospitality businesses, even those simply offering their apartments as short-lets can recommend their apartments to potential quests, she added.

According the Vice President, the initiative would also help in reviving the hospitality industry especially after the downturn that resulted from the COVID-19.

“So, I will like to commend the Transcorp team led by Tony Elumelu for this excellent innovation. And because I have tested it myself, I can say that my Aura experience was good,” he added.

Earlier, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Transcorp Hotels, Dupe Olusola, said Aura gives opportunity for all our stakeholders and guests to book accommodation and experiences just at their fingertips.

“For us, Aura is an opportunity for us to diversify our economy; it is an opportunity to create jobs; develop domestic tourism and leisure travels.

“This is unique and there is nothing like this that has been done in Nigeria and our plan is to go beyond Nigeria, go to Africa and take on the world.

“There are so many people that had invested in real estate that had left it fallow and not making money from it. So, what Aura does is that it provides an opportunity for you to list your property and be able to make money from it. In addition, it helps us to showcase the beauty that we have in Nigeria,” she added.

According to her, Olusola, the COVID-19 forced operators in the hospitality industry to start thinking outside the box.

“Sometime last year, at the onset of the pandemic, from 70 per cent occupancy, we went to five per cent occupancy at this hotel and we had to think outside the box to recreate and re-imagine hospitality and we started to offer domestic leisure travels to everyone,” she added.