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Tag: tourism sector

  • ‘Nigeria’s tourism sector lacks knowledgeable hands’

    ‘Nigeria’s tourism sector lacks knowledgeable hands’

    Chairman, Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Lagos State Chapter, Dr. Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku has lamented the dearth of knowledgeable practitioners in Nigeria’s tourism industry, noting that beyond cognate experiences and skill, majority of the players are not certificated. He said that it is the same phenomenon that describes those formulating policies and regulations that give direction to the industry’s growth and development. This, he said, is the paradox ‘we find ourselves in Nigeria today.’

    Dr. Mesewaku spoke at this year’s edition of ITPN’s Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training workshop held last Saturday at Inter Guide Hall, Ikeja, Lagos. The workshop that had facilitators such as Adewunmi Adebisi, Mr. Charles Ojiokpota, Mrs Abiodun Gloria, Mr. Jonadab Arueya, and Mrs Christiana Omiyilo attracted no fewer than 30 participants from public and private sectors.

    He stated that tourism industry is the most undermined and underrated sector in Nigeria unlike other climes, adding that it is the only industry that is not regarded as purely professional sector by the authorities.

    “In the eye of the authorities anybody, regardless of his/her background knowledge or training can be appointed as head of tourism agency or Ministry. It is only in Nigeria that Government can appoint a Medical Doctor to head Tourism Ministry or agency.  But no government dare appoints an Accountant to head a Health Services agency or Ministry!

    ITPN is conscious of this unfortunate paradox which has become an albatross to the development of the tourism industry in Nigeria. Hence the implicit objective of the mandatory Continuous Professional Development (CPD) workshop is not only to impact knowledge and upscale skills of its members but to build and nurture leaders of tomorrow who in no distant future will assume leadership roles in the tourism industry,” he said.

    On the imperative of learning, he described tourism as one of the most dynamic industries in the world, driven by cultural exchanges, technological advancements, and the ever-changing choices of travelers or tourists. He explained that learning in this context is not just about acquiring academic knowledge or mastering a specific skill, but about understanding trends, customer behaviors, environmental impact, and the cultural nuances of different regions. To him, learning, means staying current with the latest technologies—whether it is booking platforms, virtual reality experiences or sustainable travel solutions. This, he said, is the reason the institute has invited Inter Guide to give members tips on SABRE/Global Distribution System skill acquisition.

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    “In this industry, learning is the continuous effort to improve services, develop stronger relationships with communities, and create more meaningful and sustainable travel experiences. But as essential as learning is, it’s only the beginning of the journey.

    “Equally important, if not more challenging, is the process of unlearning: What do I mean by this? In any long-standing industry like tourism, certain practices, beliefs, and models that were once effective have become obsolete and outdated. We are often attached to the way things have always been done, but the truth is, not everything that worked in the past will work today—or tomorrow,” he added.

    According to him, the world has witnessed the rise of digital platforms that fundamentally change how travelers plan and experience their trips. He noted that from virtual tours to artificial intelligence-powered customer service, the future of tourism is deeply intertwined with tech innovation.

    “The message here to those of us who may have once resisted or struggled with technology (i.e. being computer literate) is to encourage you to relearn—to embrace these tools as integral parts of how we connect, interface and interact with  clients/customers, enhance their experiences, and our individual efficiency. Tech and digitalization is key in today’s tourism business,” he noted.

    Dr. Mesewaku stressed that tourism industry, like many others, thrives on the delicate balance of learning, unlearning, and relearning, urging that practitioners must ‘learn continuously to stay ahead of trends and expectations, unlearn practices that no longer serve us or the world around us.’ 

    Inter Guide Air, Head of Agency, Mr. Ekundayo Olabode who represented the Managing Director of Inter Guide Air, said the agency was pleased to collaborate with the institute in hosting the workshop, which he described as a very importance opportunity to upscale skills of members in the industry. 

    Speaking on behalf of the participants, Deputy Director, (Tourism), Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Mrs Folashade Jide-Oyesola described the workshop as a rewarding experience, saying that she did not regret participating. She however urged participants to always make the best of such learning opportunities because ‘we are the manpower that will drive tourism industry and it is necessary to be well equipped and constantly update our skills and knowledge of the industry.’

  • Govt urged to invest more in tourism sector

    The winner of Mr Tourisim Nigeria 2018, Olugbenga Ayilola, has appealed to the Federal Government to invest more in the tourism sector to create more jobs for youths in the country.

    He said if the government could invest in the tourism sector, it would generate more revenue which would boost Nigeria’s economy.

    Ayilola made this appeal while speaking with pressmen yesterday in Ondo State.

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    “I am appealing to the government to invest more resources in the tourism sector to showcase our rich cultural heritage to outside world in order to create more jobs for our teeming youths in the country.

    “This will attract foreigners to our country and generate more revenue to boost the economy of the country”, Ayilola said.

    He promised to use his offfices to rebrand tourism in Nigeria and make it a tourist attraction.

    Ayilola, a 26-year-old final year Law student of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), was the first Yoruba man to win Mr Tourism contest.

    He was sponsored to participate in the yearly event by G-Afric Crypto and Logistics and supported by Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife.

  • ‘Lagos made N800 bn from tourism in 2017’

    Lagos State made N800 bn ($2.2billion)  in 2017 from tourism sector.

    This was disclosed by the governor of the state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in his message delivered during the Lagos State Tourism Summit aimed at fine-tuning the state’s master plan. He said the state is expected to double this figure in the next five years.

    On the tourism master-plan, Ambode said: “Our government recently commissioned the development of a tourism master-plan which will show the road map to be taken in the next couple of decades to make tourism a major sector of the Lagos economy. This master plan is one of the legacies we are determined to bequeath to Lagosians and the coming generations.

    “The tourism master-plan is focused on six  key sectors: culture and heritage;  film, art and entertainment;  business tourism; nature and adventure; medical and wellness and  beach and leisure.

    Ambode said the state government has “tourism at the core of our growth strategy in the development of Lagos State as this will lay the foundation for continuous prosperity of the state”.

    He said the structures being put in place by the Lagos State government will begin to manifest into a mega structure by December. This will support tourism and market the state as a smart destination.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, in his welcome address on the occasion, said  “the state’s tourism master plan will provide  an ideal roadmap ‘through which we seek to double our pace, identify the low hanging fruits and begin to execute our early win strategies in our quest to make tourism our profitable creative economy and the new oil and gas.”

    He continued: “This is why the theme of this summit: Destination Lagos : Towards a Tourism Driven Economy’ touches on the nucleus of what we desire to make Lagos State a destination of choice using tourism as an integral component of our growth strategy.

    “Today’s discourses, therefore, will signpost a new charge of development and a growth agenda that will rely on the talent, skills and exemplary resilience of our people that created iconic brands like Afrobeat, Nollwood and among the youths that constitute over 65% of our population the lasgidi movement that simply suggests that everything Lagos is sound, smart and ready to announce itself as a cultural force to be reckoned with.”

    The former Ghanaian president, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, was the special guest of honour on the occasion. The speakers at the summit  included Professor Ibukunoluwa Ayodele, Professor Pat Utomi, Mr James McGregor and Mr. Ikechi Uko.

  • States urged to invest more in tourism

    States urged to invest more in tourism

    As a means of generating more revenue, the Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, (NTDC), Folorunsho Coker, has called on State governments to compliment the efforts of the Federal Government by investing more in tourism.

    The NDTC DG said State governments investing in tourism will attract more investors to the sector.

    Coker made this call while delivering the keynote address at the Jumia Travel Awards 2018 which was held at Pearlwort Hotel and Suites, Ikeja.

    Coker in a speech titled “Exploring the Potentials of Travel Industry in Nigeria”, also said Nigerians participating in tourism will enable the sector to realise it full potential.

    “we have a cultural heritage and natural asset that allows us to call Nigeria a bless country. There is a requirement for investment in our cultural heritage and destination tourism assets which needs to be done by those who owns it. Its not own by NDTC, some by the Federal government but most are in States and Local governments hands, so they have to invest in tourism assets belonging to them to become acceptable to investors and before it can’t even be marketed to prospective clients” he said.

    “we need to know that tourism generates over $10.8 trillion globally and Nigeria must be ready to invest in tourism assets to attract tourists and partake in the benefits that abound in the industry”.

    The NDTC boss, further said for tourism to be attractive in Nigeria, certain steps must be taken.

    He listed them as: reviewing laws that don’t go along with recent trends in the industry; training personnel to understand how the industry works; putting infrastructure of tourism in place by investing in tourism assets; producing tourism events to international standard and doing away with bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder access to finance meant for promoting tourism in the country.

    The high point of the event was the presentation of awards to best performers in the hospitality and travel industry for the year 2017.

    The winners includes:

    Epe Resort– Traveler’s Choice Award

    Golden Tulip– Favorite Hotel in Lagos

    Award Air Peace– Best Local Airline

    Emirates– Best International Airline

    Eko Hotel and Suites– Best Business Hotel

    Jumia Travel is active in over 40 countries in Africa, with 200,000 hotels worldwide and 10,000 in Nigeria

  • ‘Why tourism sector can’t drive economy’

    Unless massive investments in infrastructure are made, diversification of the economy into tourism might remain a mirage, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed has said.

    Mohammed, who kick started the sectoral debate on the diversification of the economy on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday said that the culture and tourism sector could only account for a paltry 1.5 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    The lawmakers had asked the Minister the road map prepared by his Ministry to turn the culture and tourism sector into a foreign exchange earner capable of driving the economy.

    Speaker, Yakubu Dogara noted that the time for paying lip -service to economic diversification was over.

    “With the fall in crude oil prices, Nigeria really has no choice but to stop paying lip- service to the urgent need for diversification of sources of revenue for Nigeria.

    “The acute scarcity of foreign exchange, power supply challenges, falling GDP, fuel scarcity are some of the current matters of urgent national importance to be fixed.

    “It is our belief that Nigeria possesses the human and material resources required to successfully transform our economy and earn the needed foreign exchange for Nigeria.

    “It is time for Nigeria to develop and transform into a knowledge – based economy.

    “Indeed ICT, agriculture, solid minerals, culture, tourism and entertainment; trade, investment and manufacturing; taxation and finance policies; science and technology; efficient Infrastructure such as power, transportation, etc have huge roles to play in the diversification of the Nigerian economy,” he said.

    In his presentation, the Minister said the abysmal economic performance of the sector was due to a number of factors which lacking and decaying infrastructures was most critical.

    Mohammed said though, this year’s budget allocation was better, the Ministry would still present a supplementary budget to the National Assembly to be able to execute some of its programmes for the sector.

    In addition, he regretted that negative perception of Nigeria as an insecure and corrupt country contributed largely to the slow growth of the tourism sector.

    The negative perception, according to him was not helped by the incessant  travel advisories issued by certain Western country which discourage potential tourists hereby leading to low turn-out of tourists annually.

     

    On way forward, Mohammed said being the only sector that has the potentials of gainfully employing the unskilled and uneducated Nigeriana, the negative perception must be worked on.

     

    Towards this end, he said there is need for a change in visa regime as Nigeria is in dire need  of tourism-friendly visa, that will make visits to Nigeria less cumbersome.

     

    He  said though Nigeria would be working with other countries towards a change in attitude on perception, “It’s better to take control of narratives on Nigeria to change the perception.  There is a need for us to take control of the perception

     

    “We will exploit diplomatic channels to ensure that countries are more circumspect in issuing negative travel advisories in respect of Nigeria,” he added.

     

    While disclosing that his Ministry has gone into Memoranda of  Understanding  (MoU) with two local and foreign organisations on capacity building for local creative arts, the Minister stressed the need for the private sector to drive the sector.

     

    Saying that the sector can not be a stand-alone, Mohammed  said database, which is critical to the sector was lacking because of lack of information from those in  charge like Immigration Service, hotels among others.

     

    According to him, without the support of the Ministires of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Industry, Environment, Immigration Service, Security Agencies as well as  investments in basic infrastructures, the sector can not function optimally.

     

    While seeking the support of the lawmakers, he said that an number of draft bills were  being prepared for presentation to the National Assembly on how to reposition the sector,  citing the National Tòurism Development Fund which he said will be the legal framework for funding capital projects in the sector.

     

    The Minister assured the lawmakers that the sector is capable of contributing 2.5 percent to the GDP within three years if the policies and programmes were vigorously executed.

     

  • NHTIC target $20b investment in tourism sector

    NHTIC target $20b investment in tourism sector

    The organizers of the Nigerian Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference, NHTIC 2015 holding from 25th -27th of November at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos has disclosed that their target is to attract over $20billion worth of investment into the country’s tourism and hospitality industry in the next few years.

    This coming just as all arrangements have concluded for the second annual Nigerian Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference 2015 holding from 25th -27th of November at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos.

    Speaking at a press conference in Lagos to brief the media on developments that have taken since the first briefing in Lagos, Brian Efa, managing partner of Jonel Hospitality Consulting said for now 15 foreign participants have confirmed participation at the event.

    Mr Efa disclosed that out of the 15 participants, 10 are coming from South Africa, 4 from Europe and one from United States.

    He said the event will declared open by the Lagos state governor Akinwumi Ambode.

    He said the Nigerian Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference is working in conjunction with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council and the Fderal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, to attract investment into the country.

    Efa stated further that they organizers will also be bringing company from abroad to help facilitate on single digit financing to help the Nigerian investors.

    Efa stated that the conference with the theme, Nigerian Tourism Industry, catalyst for Economic Diversification is aimed at growing the industry and create employment.

    Managing partner of Jonel Hospitality Consulting said this year event is going to be bigger than last year with more foreign participation.

    He based on demands, 10 exhibition stands have been created for some of the participants to exhibit.

    According to him, the event will feature different breakout sessions, while there would be a speed networking which will allow delegates to meet each other, exchange business cards and move on to meet the next person on Wednesday 2th November.

    The three day event is aimed at bringing international hotel and regional industry experts together to discuss and debate the changing landscape and to help identify intelligent and targeted investment opportunities in the country.

  • Crisis brew in tourism sector, as NTDC staff wants Dg sacked

    •Accuses her of corruption

    Workers of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Director General of the Corporation, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, accusing her of diverting funds meant for the promotion of tourism in the country and mismanaging the organisation.

    The workers under the auspices of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) have embarked on a work to rule action, refusing to sit in their offices and work until the Director General is removed from office.

    They argued that if President Buhari is interested in promoting the nation’s tourist potentials as a means of diversifying Nigerian economy, he must take immediate steps to reorganize the Corporation by first removing the Chief Executive.

    The Staff of the Corporation who now gather every morning at the Village Hall located within the premises of the corporation, singing solidarity songs said they were protesting non-activities in the NTDC since the appointment of the current Director General, demanding her removal for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

    The staff are also accusing Mrs. Mbanefo Of killing the tourism sector and destroying all the structures put in place by her predecessor, whom they claimed built the sector before his removal by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    When Journalists visited the premises of the Corporation on Tuesday morning, the place was deserted as no staff was in the offices, and the journalists were prevented from gaining access into the office complex by the two security officers on duty on the excuse that there was nobody inside the building.

    The Nation however noticed that the workers were sitting inside the Village Hall, singing solidarity songs before the leadership of  AUPCTRE addressed them on their inconclusive meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity on Monday.

    The union Secretary of AUPCTRE, Comrade Dankano Chise Kunama, told journalists that the workers had earlier written to the Department of State Security (DSS), on their on-going protest and actions before they embarked on it, adding that the union and the DG had earlier dragged themselves to the DSS where they reached and signed an agreements which the DG failed to implement.

    Efforts to speak with Corporation’s Spokesperson identified as Grace failed as a text message was not acknowledged and calls to her phone line were not answered.

    The Director of Administration, Boniface Eboka, also sitting near the entrance of the NTDC building when journalists came declined to speak on the development saying, “you know I am a public servant and I am not permitted to speak.”

    Mrs Mbanefo refused to answer calls yesterday.

    Comrade Kunama said: “We want her removed. She is killing the tourism sector. Except the government is not serious with tourism, but if government wants to tap into the potentials of tourism to diversify Nigeria economy, they have to remove her and bring in a professional that has a vision for the sector.

    “She has destroyed the system from what it used to be before. She has destroyed all the structures put in place by her predecessor. Just look at the physical structure here, it was put in place by somebody.

    “Now if you enter our hall, it is leaking. See the entrance, see how dilapidated it is? Look at the water fountain, for two years now it is not be working. The bolehole that has been serving the offices has been shut down. Staff now pay N20 outside the premises to use toilet, see how deteriorating the situation has been.”

    While saying that the workers received her warmly when she resumed in May 2013, where she made promises which has not been fulfilled, Comrade Kunama said the crisis in the corporation has lasted for more than one year, during which the union has written her twice on their grievances and also signed agreement with her twice but nothing came out of it.

    The union accused her of siphoning the money meant for the corporation, co ing to work once every two weeks and failing to attend all international tourism fares and local festival where NTDC are partners.

    He said: “NTDC mandate is to promote Nigeria in the international market. Since she came, she has killed those fares, she has not been going to Berlin, WTN London, Dubai, Spain and all these places, the target markets we have been going. Right now, if we will go back, we have to pay all our dues over these time because we are affiliated to UNWTO, before we even pay for the year we want to participate.

    “Our domestic tourism which we want to promote within, Osun Osogbo, Yam festival in Anambra, Argungu Fish festival, we didn’t go. Normally, we go there to market and to take statistics of tourists and how much that festival is contributing to the economy of Nigeria.

    “She signed MOU with different organisations ABC, Vigo, but we are not seeing the profit. At the International Airports, the companies are there using our desk and our ID card to make money. Is that not a fraud, NTDC staff are not well taken care off but you are now giving and ID card to private Organisation that is making money in our name to their own coffer. So these are some of the agitations.”