The Nation Newspaper

Category: Tourism

  • Use tourism to fight unemployment, Amachree urges govt

    The Proprietor of Brooklyn Hotel Group and former President of the  Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Chief Mike Amachree, has called on different tiers of government in the country to use tourism to fight unemployment in the country.

    He said tourism was the highest employer of labour globally and by investing and paying greater attention to tourism, the industry could generate jobs and reduce unemployment.

    Amachree was speaking during the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) AGM in Abuja recently  where he was conferred with the honour of Nigeria’s Father of Tourism.

    Speaking on why FTAN decided to confer the  honour of Nigeria’s Father of Tourism on  Amachree,  FTAN President, Alhaji Saleh Rabo, said Amachree had been in the tourism industry for more than 55 years and had contributed immensely to the development of tourism in the country.

    He said Amachree was among the founders of FTAN and had done a lot for the country in the course of promoting and advocating for the development of the industry.

    Among some of the achievements of Amachree included: first National President of Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) in 1990; a director of the Nigeria Tourist Board (now NTDC) in 1991; representative of Nigeria at the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Commission for Africa conference in 1992 in Ghana; organized the first Abuja Carnival in 1990 when General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) was the head of state.

    Also during the FTAN AGM, Alhaji Saleh Rabo called for the injection of funds in the Nigerian tourism industry.

    He  said: “Essentially, we want to engage some national and international funding organizations to secure grants or investment funds, something akin to what the agriculture sector in Nigeria benefits.

    “Accordingly, we plan to engage relevant organisations, including the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to support FTAN members”.

    Speaking on the activities of FTAN in the last one year, Rabo said: “So far, we have attained some of the milestones we espoused in our campaigns, and we are still making considerable efforts to consummate even more of our strategic plans. So far, we have secured a befitting national secretariat for FTAN and have since improved the structures and processes of the secretariat functions and administration.

    “We have recently set up of a Department of Tourism Research and Advocacy, as well as trained some FTAN staff on diverse professional subjects.

    “More so, FTAN is on the verge of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The MoU will cover both capacity development of the new FTAN Research Department, as well as, partnership on tourism industry research, including the Nigeria Tourism Satellite Account (TSA); promoted by the Ministry of Information and Culture.

    “Talking about Nigerian tourism development and true to our promise of opening up new destinations, we have started moving the quarterly FTAN governing council meeting across Nigeria’s geo-political zones. So far, we have had two council meetings in Lagos and one in Port Harcourt. In fact, the next council meeting in October this year would be hosted by FTAN South-East Zone, precisely in Owerri.”

    He stressed that FTAN goals are to facilitate tourism investments for operators in our industry. Reiterating the federation plans to designate members as ‘recognizable Tourism Operators Clusters for harmonization of standards and work with investment funds to benchmark  financial service needs, such as designing transparent framework for qualification and access to investment funds/grant, and bankable conditions for collaterals or group guarantees.’

    The high point of the FTAN AGM was the adoption of a new constitution for the association which was adopted by the house and came into effect.

  • South Africa mission, Southern Sun celebrate Mandela

    South African Mission in Nigeria, South Africa Tourism (SAT) and Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi joined force this year to mark the year’s Mandela Day and the birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela.

    The International Mandela Day is celebrated to make a difference by encouraging people to devote 67 minutes of their time to undertake tasks that would bring joy and relief to the needy in the communities, thus contributing towards changing the world for better.

    In commemorating the centenary of Nelson Mandela, the  mission in partnership with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) hosted a lecture. The mission also collaborated with the Mandela Garden, Asaba, Delta State to plant five new trees to add to the 95 already there to have 100 trees. It also engaged in the 67-minute charity work, handed over food parcels at an orphanage in Asaba.

    This year’s celebration theme was  “Be the Legacy”. Mandela would have turned 100 should he had been alive.  Madiba, as Mandela was affectionately called, was well known and respected globally as a symbol of the struggle against apartheid and all forms of racism, the icon and the hero of African liberation.

    Mandela has been called a freedom fighter, a great man, global icon and a living legend amongst other countless other names. He had been an activist, political prisoner, South Africa’s first democratically elected president, an international peacemaker and statesman and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

    As a husband and a father, Mandela sacrificed the joys of family life and of seeing his children grow up. As a young man, he missed out on normal life spent with family members and friends to fight for the cause he unshakably stood for. Most ordinary South Africans knew little about Mandela during his prison years, as the apartheid government suppressed information, and what was released was biased. Limited information about Mandela was available from the international press, anti-apartheid activist groups and Free Mandela Campaign.

    Celebrating Mandela Centenary provides a unique opportunity for people around the world to not only reflect on Mandela’s life and times, but also uphold values and principles that he steadfastly stood for, including his vision of a democratic, just and equitable society.

    Meanwhile, Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi, in upholding Madiba’s legacy of “making the world a better place” joined the rest of the world in livening the hearts of the under privileged with a corporate social responsibility visit to its adopted charity, The Arrows of God Orphanage in Ajah, Lagos, all in celebration of the centenary birthday of Nelson Mandela. In doing so, Southern Sun, Ikoyi donated many items, including educational textbooks, activity books, toys, educational games and inspirational books to the children at the care home.

    Adopted as the official charity of Southern Sun Ikoyi for over nine  years till date, support to the orphanage is in line with the hotel’s tradition of significantly contributing to the growth, development and service to all within its community.

  • TKMG Art Auction house, Terra Kulture, Mydrim Gallery hold auction

    TKMG Art Auction House, Terra Kulture and Mydrim Gallery held an auction at the Terra Kulture Arena yesterday.

    Activities leading  to the event had kicked off with Collector’s Preview  and Cocktail Night on  July 20.

    The preview night gave collectors a chance to view some of the pieces to be auctioned, and to have first choice on the auction night.

    It also showed a new and emerging crop of collectors and art enthusiasts, including Tokini Peterside, Dakore Egbuson, Kunle Afolayan, Sonia Irabor, Abimbola Craig, Bolanle Olukanni, Afua Osei, Yasmine Belo-Osagie, Denola Grey, Ozinna Anumudu, amongst others.

    Also present at the preview event were artists whose pieces would be up for auction – Kolade Oshinowo, Nse Abasi, M. Inyang, Nzennaya Barry Ikechukwu – giving them a first-hand chance to persuade art collectors present to buy their pieces on the auction night.

    The event welcomed the two winners of the Instagram Art Competition which gave winners, Prince Idiage and Laju Sholola, the opportunity to showcase their pieces to art lovers and collectors present at the preview event.

    Art auctions in Lagos are rather few and far between in the usually vibrant Lagos art scene, but are gradually becoming some of the most drooled-over events of the thriving art industry. This is thanks to platforms such as the TKMG Art Auction House – giving artists a chance to showcase their best pieces, and even better yet, to sell them off at as high a price as possible.

    Guests were expected to stop by the TKMG Auction House all week (from 23rd – 26th July) to view the pieces before the auction. The TKMG Auction House is located at  Terra Kulture Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island Lagos.

  • Tourism practitioners praise FG on national carrier

    Tourism industry stakeholders have reacted to the news that Nigeria would float a new national carrier from December this year. They commended the Federal Government for the initiatives, but cautioned that the new airline, Nigerian Air, must not go the way of the liquidated Nigeria Airways.

    Speaking on the development, the President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Alhaji Rabo Saleh, said it was a good development.

    “We in the tourism industry believe it is a good development as it helps in developing tourism in Nigeria. People coming to Nigeria from different parts of the world would not need to go anywhere for a connecting flight. There are so many benefits that come from floating a national carrier. However, the airline should be run as a strict business enterprise with little or no input from the government,”he said.

    The President of the Institute of Tourism Practitioners (ITP)   and the FTAN Second Deputy President, Otunba Abiodun Odusanwo, praised the government for the achievement.

    He said: “There is a need for a country to have a national carrier. Apart from its importance to tourism and the social economic growth of the country, it has a publicity angle. If the aircraft lands in any country, it brings attention to the country. It shows that a country is developed or is developing.  The new airline offers employment opportunities to many Nigerians.

    “There is also the security angle. It is important that when we have key Nigerian government functionaries, it would be best if they travel with our national carrier rather than using foreign carrier. So, it is a welcome development.”

    Ikechi Uko, the publisher of the ATQ magazine and the organizer of Akwaaba West African travel fair, believes it is a welcome development, but  that the floating of the new carrier must not affect private local carriers negatively.

    The Federal Government  has revealed the branding and livery for a new national flag-carrier, Nigeria Air, at the Farnborough Airshow.

    The development comes nearly 15 years after the previous state-run airline, Nigerian Airways, ceased operations and was greeted with some scepticism.

    Nigeria Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said: “I am very pleased to tell you that we are finally on track to launching a new national flag carrier for our country, Nigeria Air.

    “We are all fully committed to fulfilling the campaign promises made by our president, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2015.

    “We are aiming to launch Nigeria Air by the end of this year.”

    The branding and naming of the new national carrier follows a social media campaign undertaken by the Ministry of Aviation which invited Nigerian youths and students for their input and creativity to come up with a name for the new Nigerian flag carrier.

    Sirika continued: “I want to personally thank our transaction advisers led by AMG and the special task force who have worked diligently to achieve the results so far and overcome the challenges involved.

    “We obtained the certificate of compliance from the Nigerian Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission two weeks ago and can now go into the investor search.

    “I am confident that we will have a well-run national flag carrier, a global player, compliant to international safety standards, one which has the customer at its heart.

    “An airline that communicates the essence of our beautiful country, an airline we can all be proud of.”

    The airline is likely to be primarily owned and managed by a group of a yet unidentified private investors.

    “The Nigerian government will not own more than five per cent of the new national carrier.

    “The government will not be involved in running it or deciding who runs it.

    “Following extensive market research, the branding of our new airline, Nigeria Air, demonstrates a true flag carrier of our nation, soaring through the skies in the shape of our nation’s eagle,”Sirika said.

  • Why we resolved NATOP crisis–FTAN President

    The President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Alhaji Saleh Rabo, has said that the  FTAN decided to wade in and settle the disagreement among members of the National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP)  because of the importance of tour operators to the growth and development of tourism in Nigeria.

    He said the industry could not develop under such acrimonious atmosphere, hence the decision by him and stakeholders in the tourism industry to call the warring parties to a peace meeting and make peace.

    FTAN had waded in and resolved the crisis that bedevilled one of the federating associations, the National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), over the association’s recently conducted elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Jos, Plateau State.

    According to the FTAN president, Alhaji Saleh Rabo, it became imperative to call on the warring parties for a re conciliatory meeting as the crisis did not augur well for the industry.

    The meeting, held at the FTAN secretariat, had the following members of the FTAN Reconciliatory Committee present: Alhaji Rabo Saleh, FTAN President and Reconciliatory  Committee Chairman; Chief Tomi Akingbogun, FTAN ex-President; Stephen Isokariari, NANTA BOT Chairman; Alhaji Aliyu Badaki  HATMAN President;  Ugbor Vincent, HOPESEA President; and John Likita Best, Plateau State Tourism Board and Membership Secretary, FTAN.

    The NATOP executives present were: Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, NATOP BOT Chairman; Hajia Bilkisu Abdul, NATOP President;  Mrs. Bolaji Mustapha, NATOP Treasurer, and Mallam Kabir Malan, NATOP BOT member.

    From the aggrieved members were: Mr. O. Jemi-Alade, NATOP BOT Member; Mr. Abiola Lawal; Efetobor Awhana; and  Chike Osuagwu.

    Rabo, the chairman of the reconciliatory committee, appealed to both parties to be calm and mature in their presentations, stating that the reason for the meeting was to proffer a lasting solution to the crisis on ground.

    He said the development of the tourism industry in Nigeria is hinged on the cooperation and peace existing among tour operators as they are considered as one of the determinants of success in the tourism industry in Nigeria.

    After reading the petition of the aggrieved party and giving opportunity for both parties to state their positions, the committee called for a break.

    Upon resumption from the break, the chairman thanked everybody for comporting themselves throughout the hearing. He once again appealed that both parties should accept whatever resolution that will be reached in this meeting and there is no victor no vanquished. That is a win-win situation.

    The reconciliatory committee after looking at NATOP’s constitution, resolved that the committee had found out that a quorum was formed for the AGM based on the constitution.

  • More airlines needed in Nigeria – expert

    Tourism expert and founder of Akwaaba Travel Market, Ikechi Uko has said for the country’s travel industry to grow, more flights are needed to cut across the country.
    He posited that the travel industry cannot grow without a functional air transport network.
    Mr Uko made this known during Jumia Travel 2018 Nigerian Hospitality Report, held in Lagos.
    “the number of flight pairs in Nigeria is very low. Lagos and Abuja are already saturated because almost all airlines want to fly there. As such, we need more flights to cut across the country because the travel industry cannot grow without a functional air transport network” he said.
    “This is coming at a time when the aviation industry is experiencing shortage of airlines”.
    Omolara Adagunodo, Managing Director of Jumia Travel Nigeria during the presentation of the report said the country witnessed a 65% increase in the business of travelling, as compared to 2016 and 2017.
    “2017 has been referred to as the healing year for Nigeria’s economy as we started to climb out of recession. This upturn of events clearly affected the business world as 2017 became a definitive year for our growth as a business” she said.
    “We had a record increase in both sales and customer engagement. Our performance in comparison to 2016 full year showed a 65% increase. Bookings increased by over 70% during the Black Friday weekend compared to 2016 Black Friday recording the most successful Black Friday event ever.”

  • `Nigeria to earn N3.63B from domestic tourism by end of 2018`

    In what seems like a bright prospect for domestic tourism in Nigeria, the sector is expected to contribute N3.63 billion to the country’s GDP by the end of 2018.

    The number of international arrivals in the country and employments generated by the sector are expected to grow by 1.5% and 3.4% respectively by end of year, that is 1.8 million international arrivals and 3.4 million jobs.

    Omolara Adagunodo, managing director of Jumia Travel Nigeria stated this while overviewing the content of the 2018 Nigeria hospitality report at a press conference in Lagos.

    The report also provided insight on the two main components of domestic travel: leisure and business travel, and both grew at 2.7% and 2.8%, that is 1.98 billion and 1.92 billion contributions respectively to domestic earnings in 2017.

    Tourism expert and founder of Akwaaba Travel Market, Ikechi Uko also said the data and figures featured in the report can massively expand the footprint of the Nigeria travel industry and take it to the next level.

    While announcing that Nigeria will soon subscribe to the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), which is the internationally recognised standard statistical framework for the economic measurement of tourism, Uko urged stakeholders within the sector to support and rely on the data in reports such as Jumia Travel’s.

    Uko also commented on one of the challenges plaguing the sector, as identified in the report, such as insufficient flights.

    “the number of flight pairs in Nigeria is very low. Lagos and Abuja are already saturated because almost all airlines want to fly there. As such, we need more flights to cut across the country because the travel industry cannot grow without a functional air transport network” he said.

    The Nigeria Hospitality Report compiled by Jumia Travel is fast becoming a primary source of data for the experts and stakeholders in the travel industry as it offers a profound and holistic insight into the industry  that accounted for 1.9% of total GDP as a direct contribution, and 5.1% as a total contribution to GDP. In monetary terms, the sector contributed approximately N2.3 billion to the GDP as a direct contribution, and N6.2 billion as a total contribution to the GDP.

  • Southern Sun Ikoyi hosts clients

    IN appreciation of it’s loyal customers for their patronage, Southern Sun Ikoyi recently treated its customers to an exclusive mid-year quarterly corporate cocktail, which also marked the unveiling of the hotel’s newly added meeting and boardroom facilities.

    Celebrating the refurbished new look of the hotel and speaking fondly about the support from clients and partners at the corporate VIP cocktail event, Mark Loxley, the hotel’s General Manager, thanked guests for their continued business support and patronage to the hotel and prayed for a better second half of the year.

    He reiterated that the cocktail event is a simple gesture to the local business communities and clientele of southern sun Ikoyi in appreciating the support provided to the Hotel within the business environment in which they operate.

    Mr. Loxley said: “We are excited to showcase the recent enhancements to the hotel, with the addition

    of one board room and two meeting rooms which was a necessitated need due to growing demand for

    exclusive business meetings at the hotel”.

    He further stated that “the new development was a perfect opportunity for valued long-term partners and new guests to experience our dedication in delivering the Southern Sun Ikoyi signature in comfort, hospitality and brand values.”

    Ensuring that the taste buds of guests at the corporate VIP cocktail event were not left disappointed, Chef Alex and his team treated guests to a delicious array of sweet and savory bites, including fresh prawns, juicy steak burgers, fine wine and champagne alongside assorted cheeses and much more, as they relaxed and networked over glasses filled with finely blended juices.

    Also in attendance amongst the special guests from the diplomatic community gracing the evening’s occasion included Mr. Azwianewi Mbedzi, the Vice Consul Political from the South African Consulate General in Nigeria, who particularly expressed great delight at the opportunity to meet and mingle with esteemed individuals from Lagos thriving business community.

  • 10 popular tourist sites in Lagos City

    Lagos, Nigeria’s mega city of aquatic splendor, is a city of extreme paradox. A city where you find the extremely affluent and also see abject squalor. It is a city that habours individuals with deep spirituality  and those with extreme irreverence for the supernatural. It is a city brimming with massive population  that at peak periods in some places, getting  spaces to walk  takes a lot of effort. It is a city that rewards the hardworking and daring and suffers no lazy individual.  That is the allure of Lagos.

    The recent visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and his decision to visit African Shrine to  have a feel of the late Afro-beat music legend, Fela Anikulapo- Kuti’s legacy, has again kindled the desire to know some of the most visited tourist sites and destinations  in Lagos.

    Below are the most visited places by tourist visitors to Lagos City:

    Synagogue Church of All Nations

    Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) of Prophet Temitope  Balogun Joshua located in Ikotun in Lagos West attracts the highest number of tourists not just to Lagos, but to Nigeria as a whole.

    Tourists from all over the world, cutting across different geographical locations, races and religions visit SCOAN on pilgrimage to worship, listen to Prophet Joshua and find solutions to their physical and spiritual ailments.  The church does not have low or high season. The influx of tourists quadruples anytime Prophet Joshua calls for prayer line.

    The steady number of tourists that keeps streaming to the church is a testament to the church’s global popularity. The church has been visited by many sitting heads of governments, ex-presidents and foreign presidential candidates; many went on to win their elections.

    African Shrine

    Coming behind   the SCOAN is African Shrine built by Femi Kuti, a scion of Afro-beat legend, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Most leisure and business tourists visiting Lagos always demand to visit the place or Fela’s museum , or even both. Having listened, read and heard so much about Fela, tourists visiting Lagos always feel the trip would not be complete without visiting African Shrine to have a feel of Fela’s music vibe.  It is actually not surprising that the French President chose  African Shrine as the place to visit during his tour of Nigeria.

    Africa Shrine is a centre that promotes Nigeria music both past and contemporary. The shrine is located few metres from the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa.

    Nike Arts Gallery

    Located on Elegushi Road, off Lekki-Epe Expressway, Nike Gallery is among the must-see for visitors to Lagos. It is founded by the legendary artist, Chief (Mrs.) Nike Ekundaye. Nike Gallery offers total Nigerian experience. Tourists are welcomed with drumming and singing by the hospitable staff of the gallery in full Nigerian costume.

    Even for local tourists, the experience at Nike Gallery is exciting. First, there is the adire/batik crash workshop where visitors are trained how to make batik. Then, the taste of Nigerian traditional delicacies like akara and puff puff.

    There is a dance class that tests one’s flexibility and foot dexterity. The biggest thrill is roaming the two filled to brim with old, classic and modern Nigerian art works in different media. One could spend hours moving around the work. Nike Gallery experience is always something inbound tourists look forward to.

    Freedom Park

    Freedom Park is a former colonial prison  located on Hospital Road, Marina, Lagos.  It was opened in 1882, but later closed and abandoned for several years. In 2010, the old prison was turned into a cultural and recreation centre.

    The beauty of Freedom Park is that apart from the centre being aesthetically pleasing to behold, it has almost everything that would keep tourists in the park for hours: the different prison cells have stories of past horror to tell. There is an open air stage for performance. For those who are to have a taste of the Nigerian cuisines, the centre  offers food outlets for tourists to enjoy.

    Terra Kulture

    Located in Tiamiyu Savage Street, off the famous Ahmadu Bello Way, Terra Kulture, as the name indicates, is a place to experience the totality of the Nigerian culture from contemporary stage performance to Nigerian literature, music and cuisine.

    The centre organizes exhibitions and excursions for school children, foreigners and Nigerians. It has a 250-seater hall for Nigerian arts and culture. Tourists could have wonderful time watching some of these performances.

    Terra Kulture pays attention to some spoken Nigerian languages like  Ibo, Yoruba and Hausa. One could enjoy authentic Nigeria dishes at the restaurant and purchase books.  Also being close to hotels in and around Victoria Island is one of the things that makes the place popular with tourists.

    The late Afro-beat maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s larger than life image and the wide acceptance of his music within and outside Africa has made the museum popular among foreign tourists. Located in his old house on Gbemisola street, Ikeja, lovers of his songs, music  and ideology come there to remember Fela and what he stood for in his lifetime.

    Items like his personal effects, musical instruments and pictures could all be seen at the museum.

    Iga Idugaran, Isale Eko

    Iga idugaran in Lagos island is the royal palace of the Oba of Lagos on Lagos Island, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu. Many tourists who desire more knowledge about the history of Lagos, one of Africa’s largest cities, go to Iga idugaran. The palace offers tourists opportunity for a first hand experience of royal  activities in the palace of a first class African traditional ruler.

    Eko Atlantic City

    Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island, Lagos  is an ambitious smart city project being carried out on land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean.  Standing on 10 million square metres piece of land, it is regarded as the Africa’s most ambitious tourism project. This has become a hit with inbound tourists who always desire a tour of the place. That informed the decision of African ministers of tourism in their recent meeting in Abuja to take a day off tour Eko Atlantic City.

    Elegushi Beach

    Located in Lekki, Elegushi Beach is at the end of Elegushi Road.  Despite the negative activities of ocean surge that have washed away a chunk of the white sandy beach, Elegushi Beach still holds certain charms to visitors.  Like travel experts would say, beach front anywhere  in the world attracts a huge number of leisure seekers.  Elegushi Beach might not be the best beach Lagos can boast of, but its proximity to the Victoria Island and Lekki and the top hotels gives it an advantage.

    National Museum

    National Museum, Onikan is a draw for tourists because many international tourist visitors believe that one could have a better glimpse and understanding of a foreign culture by visiting the museum. Although not in the best shape compared to museums of other megacities the world over, National Museum Onikan is still a prism to see Nigeria’s rich history. There are artifacts that date back to thousands of years and those of the recent past like the Mercedez Benz car that former Nigerian Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed was in when he was assassinated in the 1976 botched military coup.

    Fela’s Museum storey building

  • Tourism contributes 34 percent of Nigeria’s GDP, says Statistician-General

    Statistician-General of the Federation and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Statistics, Dr. Yemi Kale, has said tourism in Nigeria contributes 34 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Kale said this in his address at the recently concluded 61th United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Commission for Africa (UNWTO-CAF) meeting that was held last week in Abuja.

    The Statistician-General said: “With respect to the direct impact of tourism on  the GDP, the economic activities that make up what we may call the tourism characteristic sectors, including art, entertainment and recreation, trade, transport, accommodation and food services, administrative, support and other services account for 34 per cent  of the GDP in 2017 and about 20 per cent of employment even though as you know not all of that 34 per cent and 20 per cent  GDP and employment contribution will be related directly to tourism activities.

    “Nevertheless, this shows you the immense potential of tourism activities in Nigeria, a $500 bn economy with about 70 per cent of that household consumption expenditure.

    “For households, particularly within rural regions, tourism can also prove to be a much-needed source of additional income.  Indeed, the tourism sector encompasses and affects several sub-sectors across the nation’s key output sectors.

    “Apart from these economic benefits that I have briefly mentioned, tourism activities also reinforce cultural pride, the preservation of our unique heritage and traditions, as well as the conservation of our environment. It is perhaps because of this far-reaching impact on all groups of society, that tourism is mentioned specifically within both the Sustainable Development Goals and the wider Agenda 2030.”

    Kale noted that the recent economic downturn in the nation’s economy had a negative impact on both domestic and international travel last year.

    His words: “The recent economic downturn presented a challenging time for tourism in Nigeria. As you know, leisure travel relies on people having discretionary income, and with many of our key markets feeling the effects of the economic recession and with household expenditure budgets squeezed, it has affected the growth in tourism characteristic sectors.  For example, annual total numbers of domestic and international air passengers declined by -8.40 per cent  and -7.13 per cent  in 2017 respectively compared with the previous year

    ”The recent economic conditions have, therefore, had a negative impact on local tourism operators. Operators have had to make hard decisions about how to position their business to ride out the storm. But I have been amazed to see just how resilient tourism related economic activities are in Nigeria.

    “Arts, entertainment and recreation and administrative support and other services activities, for example, were among the few activities that were able to keep growing for most of the recession period. Other recent data I have received shows that many tourism related activities have made necessary adjustments to weather out these difficult times.”

    The Statistician-General harped on the need for tourism statistics as it is a tool in tracking development goals, measuring progress, and improving the efficacy of policy interventions. Tourism statistics, he said, is  critical in providing the sector with the best foundation to base its decisions on and commended the UNWTO  for  spearheading  the mandate to develop a robust tourism data framework, the measuring sustainable tourism framework which moves beyond tourism statistics as just an economic tool to a holistic approach which considers the social and environmental impacts as well.

    He itemized  some the challenges of producing tourism statistics in Nigeria which include:  the high level of informality of the tourism characteristic activities with about 60 per cent  of them informal in nature; the poor attitude towards record keeping; inadequate funding and weak coordination among tourism statistics related agencies and business.