Former House of Representatives member Hon Ned Nwoko has said no country can survive without harnessing the potential in its tourism sector. Nigeria, he said, is hugely blessed with tourism potential and if harnessed, will not only create huge wealth for the country and her people, but promote unity among the people in the country. According to him, it will make the country great and make her the cynosure of all in the comity of nations.
Nwoko, who spoke at the launch of Project Tourism in Abuja last week, explained the rationale behind the emergence of Project Tourism, saying: “The journey did not start today, but long ago when after several decades of travel and painstaking study of how the industry operates in several countries. I came to the conclusion that Nigeria could do it better and tap into the huge economic potential.”
Project Tourism is an initiative, conceptualised by Linas International Limited and jointly promoted by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC). It was designed to, among others, project the tourism assets of Nigeria and run profitable projects that will highlight Nigeria’s hospitality culture as well as her rich cultural endowments.
Giving statistics on tourism potentialities across the globe, Hon Nwoko, who is also the project Chairman, a project quoted as the United World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)’s January 21, 2019 submission, that “worldwide international tourists’ arrival overnight visitors, increased six per cent to 1.4billion in 2018 above the 3.7 per cent growth registered in the global economy. Out of this number, the Middle East had +10 per cent; Africa, +7%, Asia and the Pacific and Europe, both stood at +6 per cent. The Americans were below the world average at +3 per cent.
He disclosed that Project Tourism would focus on four key areas, which included Culture Village, Grassroots Sports Development, Host Family Scheme and Global Roadshow.
The Culture Village, according to Hon Nwoko, would identify and establish three acknowledged hubs of culture in each of the states, while centres would build on already established/existing monuments, arts and sites. He added that villages or cities to be selected for as Culture Village must currently have natural/acknowledged monuments, historical sites and arts, among others, adding that, “location of tourism assets would be safe and accessible, and it would encourage the growth of tourism, using cultural contents.”
The purpose of the Grassroots Sports Development, according to the tourism aficionado, is to identify, nurture, encourage, manage and promote talents in all areas of sports at the grassroots levels, including summer school camps. He noted that the aim is to produce sports’ stars that will compete and excel for Nigeria.
He explained that the Host Family Scheme is, among other things, the compendium of who is who in Nigeria, while it would also host families to have matching interests with prospective tourists.
The Global Road Show, Nwoko disclosed, is an exhibition of the tourism assets of the country, which would be staged with notable Nollywood, sports stars and celebrities from Nigeria on parade. He revealed that N100 million has been earmarked to support and ensure that the global road show begins in July.
Nwoko, therefore, called on stakeholders in the tourism sector, to support the initiative as it would boost tourism activities, generate revenue, as well as showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Tourism stakeholders and Nollywood stars, among others in attendance at the launching threw their weights behind the project and promised good supports that would ensure proper actualisation of the project.
Project Tourism National Coordinator, Chief Friday Anumba, noted that all what Nigeria tourism industry needs to boom and earn both the nation and her people good benefits is a viable, workable government policy as well as good relationship between the public and private sector. “And that is why, today, we are very proud to launch Project Tourism, the first organised public-private initiative to practically promote the Nigeria tourism industry,” he said.
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