Coker Augustina Wuraola is a travelling and tourism expert and CEO of Cokeson Travels. Her clients include top corporate bodies, politicians and government functionaries across the country. In this interview with Olaitan Ganiu, she talks about her grass-to-grace story, challenges as well as memorable moments.
What attracted you to the travel industry?
Initially, I had no knowledge of the travel industry until I met someone, who was a client where I worked. This was immediately after I graduated from school and she was a travel agent. She just liked me and was really impressed by my personality. Then one day, she made a comment saying that I will fit into the travel industry. She gave me all the preliminary information about the industry and how it worked. She told me I had to first go to an aviation school and she connected me to one, Frontier Academy, Ibadan, Oyo State at the time. It was a turning point in my life and when I started my training, my interest heightened.
Tell us about your experience as a travel consultant.
My experience in the travel industry for the past nine and a half years has been wonderful. I started the business with zero capital. My first target markets were my friends and my personality played a good role. Luckily, I had created great relationships with friends in my university days and I ensured that I maintained a good reputation. This helped when I started the business as I was able to advertise my business to them. Then my friend introduced me to a friend who was travelling to South Africa and that was the first ticket I sold when I started this business, nine and a half years ago.
From there, I got referrals and widened my networking and that kick-started the business properly. It has been wonderful; however, there is no business without its downsides. In Aviation, mistakes are not forgiven, any mistake on a ticket, maybe a name error or date error, will definitely cost you something. When such mistakes happen, I take responsibility and ensure such mistakes don’t happen again. All in all, my experience has been awesome and I love being a travel consultant.
As an expert in business travel, it is easy for me to deliver value for everyone I have an opportunity to work with. What makes your organization unique from other agencies?
We have a policy of service level agreement with our clients each time we are given the opportunity to be of service to them. Our service level agreement bound us to deliver superior travel service to our clients and ensure a delightful experience each time they patronise us. Our teaming customers have a satisfying experience and can testify to the quality of our services. We make customer satisfaction and happiness the core value of our organisation.
How profitable is the travel agency business?
It is best to know that the travel business is not a fast money scheme. As we have discussed, people have access to the airline’s platform and can see the prices there. The profit can be small. But the truth is when giving quality services is the goal, money will come after. A lot more people will patronise because they appreciate your services and can even make complimentary payments for services well done. Corporate transactions in which we first handle their payments from our accounts may come with little interest later.
What are the challenges for women in the sector?
The travel business is actually good for women because it enables you to work from home and do your work at your pace.
What are some of the memorable moments in your career?
One of my memorable moments is when I won an award from the South African Tourism. Also, getting to meet several high net-worth individuals that ordinarily I wouldn’t have met if I was not in the travel business is quite memorable for me…
What is the future of the travel agency business?
The future of the travel agency is bright, no matter how bad situations get, people will need to move from one place to the other and this renders travelling services inevitable. Technology has also played a key role in the travel business and has helped tremendously.
What are some of the other things that motivate you on the job?
I love to be of service to people, and putting a smile on the faces of my clients is what motivates me in my business, I know for sure that a happy customer is the only way I can get a good referral for my business.
What are some of the changes you would like to see in the sector?
I would like the government of Nigeria to support domestic tourism and also reduce taxes levied on airfare in Nigeria. Airfares are a bit pricey in Nigeria
What message do you have for Nigerians?
We should not lose hope in our motherland. I believe that Nigeria can be a better place if the citizens decide to make it work, and it starts with the family as a basic unit. Parents should instil good moral values in their children.
What are some of the things that you would like to do in future?
I would love to be an Ambassador for my country Nigeria.
Tell us about your role models
My parents are my role model; they instill good values and gave me all the support I needed to grow in life
What are some of the other things that occupy your time?
Asides from business, I love to spend time with my family, and I love going on vacation.
What are some of the principles that inspire the things you do?
I believe that what you sow is what you reap. This mindset enables me to be my best at all times.
What lessons has life taught you?
As a business person, a good reputation and integrity is the only key to success and progress.
