In an effort to enhance accelerated growth of the Nigerian Tourism industry, stakeholders and operators in the sector have urged the Government to prioritize its development by devoting sufficient budgetary allocation to the nation’s natural endowments for increased revenue generation.
The call was made at the just concluded tourism seminar organised by the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET). The event which held Tuesday at the Eko Hotel and Suites Lagos was attended by the Olota of Otta, Ogun State, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege who was the royal father of the day.
The Monarch took the lead in making the call when he urged the government and Nigerians to explore tourism potentials of the country for job creation.
The theme of the seminar, “Tourism and Jobs: Better future for all”, formed the core of discussions as His Royal Highness Oba Adeyemi also urged youths in the to stop depending on the government for job creation but rather that they get creative with the numerous opportunities that come with Businesses in the Tourism sector.
He said that festivals in each community could be developed by members of such communities to generate revenue while ensuring that the festivals were developed over the years to attract local and International tourists.
He identified monumental buildings across communities which could be converted to tourists sites around which chains of businesses can be developed.
” With the huge tourism potentials existing in the country, we should not be complaining about lack of jobs, individuals must be creative and tap into these tourism potentials.’
” The colorful festivals of individual communities should be explored as business opportunities for tourism in the country. When showcased, not only will they bring in visitors into the country, they will also boost commecial activities in such communities. ‘
According to him, there is so much Nigeria has to offer the international communities in terms of our cultural heritage. He describes the country as a land filled with a rich cultural history.
” The second tallest story building in Nigeria is in Otta, it should be better developed to attract international tourists; a lot more monumental buildings across communities can also be converted to tourists sites,” he said.
Managing Director, Sabre Network, West Africa, Dr Gbenga Olowo, who was represented by Mayowa Badewa, Deputy Zonal Director of the Travel Network, also added that most African countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Gambia were doing well in tourism because they have been able to work on improved connectivity, good infrastructures, visa relaxation policy and much more.
He also emphasized on the need for the Nigerian government to collaborate with the private sector by creating policies that provide ease of doing business, while at the same time intensifying efforts to enhance security and as well fight terrorism in the country.
” We are known to be the giant of Africa, and Nigeria is not recorded in the list of the top 10 visited countries in Africa because we are not doing things correctly. Government should try to allocate huge revenue for the tourism industry annually because the returns will be in multiples at the end of the day.”
Badewa also called on the government at all levels to make Tourism in their individual constituencies top on the list of their priorities adding that good and safe roads are essential for tourism businesses to thrive in any economy.
” There are only two hanging lakes in the world, the one at Colorado, Unted States of America and the Ado Awaye hanging lake in Oyo which is not well marketed for international recognition. The one in Colorado generates over a million visitors annually, we must let the world know what we have and encourage them to visit,” he said.
President of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort Lagos, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, who was also a special guest at the event while speaking highlighted the power of tourism as a viable tool for the socio-economic transformation of any community, its people and the country as a whole.
He gave examples of how through La Campagne has succeeded in transforming Ikegun town where his resort is located to one of the richest and fast developing communities in Nigeria.
He enumerated how the existence of his business in the town has economically empowered the people and transformed their lives and the community, recommending that this can serve as a model for the Nigeria government and Nigerians. He urged Nigerians to look inward and see where they have comparative advantage and latch on to it for the development of the people.
Akinboboye, also urged the Nigerian government to encourage MDAs to ensure their bonding exercises such as conferences, retreats and seminars hold in Nigerian tourism facilities. He said this would give room for proper marketing of the nation’s tourists sites.
He suggested that government should consider the importation of solar/ wind power equipment at a zero customs duty rate and provide tax breaks to rural facilities that use such power sources.
He said this was necessary to minimize the effect of nation’s electricity challenges to enable tourism businesses to thrive.
