Nigeria's Detty December Faces Growing Pains as Hotel Prices and Traffic Bite
What started years ago as thoughtfully packaged Christmas holiday experiences has grown into one of Africa's most talked-about tourism phenomena. Detty December, the festive season celebration that draws thousands of visitors to Lagos and other Nigerian cities each year, is now firmly on the global tourism map. But with growing popularity come growing challenges — and the president of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) is sounding the alarm.
Speaking during a recent virtual session of the Seven Wonders of Nigeria 3.0 initiative, Hajia Bolaji Mustapha reflected on the remarkable success of the 2025 festive season while also laying bare the structural problems that risk holding the phenomenon back. As both NATOP president and head of Grand Express Tour Centre, she has been closely involved in shaping the movement from its earliest days, when operators created structured three-day Christmas itineraries, partnered with luxury hotels, and organised signature Lagos cruise experiences to attract both local and diaspora travellers.
The results of that groundwork were clearly visible during the most recent season. Inbound travel numbers rose sharply compared to the previous year, hotels were fully booked, and a wave of social and cultural events attracted visitors from across Africa, Europe, and North America. Lagos, Hajia Mustapha shared, became a wedding destination in its own right. One high-profile ceremony brought a large group from Rwanda, whose guests threw themselves into Nigerian culture — wearing traditional aso-oke attire and joining in the vibrant celebrations. American visitor groups and other international guests have already placed bookings for 2026 and 2027, a strong indicator that Detty December has matured from a seasonal buzz into a genuine tourism asset.
However, the boom also exposed weaknesses that cannot be ignored. Hajia Mustapha expressed serious concern over sudden hotel price increases during the peak period. Some hospitality providers, she said, abandoned long-standing agreements with tour operators and hiked their rates without warning. These unpredictable surges led to cancellations, disrupted logistics, and left a bitter taste for operators who had already committed to client bookings. "We must resist the temptation to overprice our product," she cautioned, reminding the industry that a destination's reputation carries far more long-term value than short-term revenue spikes.
Traffic gridlock and airport congestion added further strain. For visitors arriving with high expectations, hours stuck in Lagos traffic or navigating chaotic airport procedures can quickly undo the positive impressions created by world-class events and warm hospitality. These are areas where coordinated infrastructure planning will be essential ahead of future editions.
Another worry raised during the discussion was the rise of unregistered operators taking advantage of the demand surge. Some collected payments from eager travellers without delivering any services, damaging trust and putting Nigeria's brand at risk. NATOP is now pushing for stronger collaboration with government bodies, stricter professional standards, and public awareness campaigns encouraging tourists to book only through certified operators.
Looking ahead to 2026, Hajia Mustapha outlined a vision that goes beyond repeating past successes. She sees enormous untapped potential in Lagos' waterfronts and beaches, pointing to the popularity of spots like Takwa Bay Beach, which thrived even with limited ferry access. Better water transport connections from Marina and proper regulation of boats could open up entirely new visitor flows. She also called for geographic diversification, expanding the festive footprint beyond the Lekki corridor into areas like Ikorodu and Badagry.
For travel professionals across sub-Saharan Africa, the Detty December story offers both inspiration and cautionary lessons. Organic demand is a gift, but without disciplined pricing, reliable infrastructure, and professional standards, even the most exciting tourism product risks burning out. Those packaging Nigerian experiences for their clients should engage early with certified operators and keep a close watch on how the ecosystem develops in the months ahead. As Hajia Mustapha put it simply: "If these visitors leave happy, the boom begins."
