GTCO Food Festival Day 2 Draws Larger Crowd, Boosts Sales

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The second day of the GTCO Food and Drink Festival recorded a higher turnout on Saturday, with vendors reporting increased patronage and improved sales compared to the opening day.

At the GTCentre, Victoria Island, Lagos, larger crowds of families, youths and food enthusiasts thronged the venue, creating a more vibrant atmosphere across food stands and activity areas.

Findings by The Hope showed that many vendors experienced stronger customer engagement as weekend traffic drove more visitors to the festival.

Several vendors said patronage improved significantly, with more visitors willing to explore and purchase a variety of food and drink options.

The increase in turnout was also evident in longer queues at popular stands and increased movement across different sections of the venue.

Attendees confirmed the surge in activity, describing the second day as livelier and more engaging.

A visitor, Kemi, said the difference from the opening day was noticeable.

“There are more people today, and the whole place feels more alive. There’s so much to see and taste,” she said.

Another attendee, Olawale Marisuk, a regular at the festival, commended the organisation and crowd management despite the larger turnout.

“Movement is still smooth even with the crowd. It shows the organisers have improved over the years,” he said.

The festival, themed around the diversity of food and drink experiences, features over 200 vendors offering a wide range of local and international cuisines, alongside live cooking sessions, tastings and interactive engagements.

Organisers say the initiative is aimed at supporting small businesses by providing free retail platforms and access to a wider customer base.

The GTCO Food and Drink Festival, organised by Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, is expected to attract even larger crowds on its final day, Sunday, as participants look to maximise sales and networking opportunities before the close of the event.