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Tag: tourism

  • Multi-billionnaira national tourism treasures lie in ruins

    Multi-billionnaira national tourism treasures lie in ruins

    • Insurgents take over sites as poor infrastructure compounds woes
    • Stakeholders lament comatose state of sector

    Emi Olowolabi, a native of Idanre in Ondo State started engaging in tourism activities as a child until he grew up to become the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in the state. 

    Idanre hills are some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Nigeria. Located on a precambarian igneous batholith that is about 500 million years old according the records of the state government, the site, which was added to UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on October 8, 2007 in the cultural category, was a tourist attraction in its heyday as far back as the colonial era. But all that glory has faded.  

    “When we remember what the hills were in the past, we weep now,” Olowolabi said in an emotion-laden voice.

    “Unarguably, Idanre is a tourism site of national importance,” he  added as he went into a nostalgic recall of how the site used to be the delight of foreign tourists.

    “When I was younger, I remember we used to stay at the foot of the hill, taking white people to the hill. They would not give us money, but they were giving us sardines,” he said.

    On a daily basis, Olowolabi, a former Commissioner for Information in the state, said, “we could take five to 10 white people up the hills. Idanre Hills, which are called Oke Idanre, are a tourism destination of delight.

    “Then, the colonial masters built rest houses. As you climbed the hill, you would rest, and there were about five to six rest points while climbing.

    “There was pipe borne water everywhere then. But today, the place is on steady decline on account of inadequate attention.”

    Since the return of democracy in 1999, Olowolabi said, the biggest attempt at developing tourism potentials in Idanre was  made during the tenure of the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu. “Then, they embarked on massive renovation of the site. They were on the verge of putting in place a cable car to get to the hill.

    “When he left, the government that came after him, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, also showed some commitment to tourism. But rather than develop the historical site, he chose to develop the foot of the hills.  He built rest houses, tourists hot spots, funs spots and so on. “By the time he left office, the government that came thought differently. So the place is actually a victim of inconsistency in government.”

    “During Agagu’s era, Olowolabi further said, “Idanre Hills were listed as United Nations heritage site in professional lifting.

    “That itself poses a lot of challenges as a world heritage site. Part of the requirement is that everything about the place must be left the way it is.

    “You cannot introduce concrete, paint or iron roofing sheets. It has to be in that form. You can only use mud to renovate the houses and not cement.”

    The sad state of Idanre Hills typifies the state of many other sites across the country. They have become an eyesore to the locals and irritatingly unattractive to foreigners. 

    The Yankari Games Reserve  in Bauchi State is another tourism site that has become a shadow of itself. Tourism stakeholders in the state are saddened by what has become of the site once regarded as the beautiful bride of the state.

    Musa Bature, a player in the tourism sector, decried the condition of the site, saying: “Some investors who wanted to invest in tourism recently visited the place. But they said that what they used to hear about Yankari was not what they saw on ground. 

    “They were even saying that it is better for the authorities to tell the world the truth about the state of the site than telling lies about it. That tells you the state of the site.”

    Speaking further, Bature said: “The road to the site is just about 40 per cent okay.  And you know when we say 40 per cent, it means that it is below average. 

    “It is not something that can motivate foreigners to come into the area. 

    “When you take off from Bauchi to Alkaleri, the road is very very bad. It is nothing to write home about. 

    “When I went there about two months ago, the rooms, I mean accommodation, was nothing to write home about.”

    Cross Rivers State, which sparkled as Nigeria’s tourism destination during the regime of Donald Duke, has also lost all the glitz and glamour that made other states envious of the global attention the land commanded.  Dr Lucky George, a leading player in the industry, was close to tears as he spoke about the ruinous state of tourism in the state.

    His words: “Cross River used to be the darling of holiday makers locally in Nigeria with the Obudu Mountain Resort in mind. The immediate past administration made a mess of the entire structure.

    “The place is now a shadow of itself. There is nothing left in the Cross River axis of Nigerian tourism apart from the annual carnival.

    “If you build a hotel of 50 rooms and you take a loan of N100 million from the bank and you are banking on once in a year event, how do you repay your loan?

    “All the major hotels in Calabar now apart from Transcorp Hotel, the university graduates that are working in them are earning N20,000 a month.

    “It tells you how poor the revenue, patronage is. If a hotel has 50 per cent occupancy averagely, you can afford to pay salary of N40, 000 or N50,000.”

    Read Also: Confusion shrouds health condition of tourism minister Ade-John

    More lamentations on various sites

    In the Southeast part of the country, Anambra State is one of the states endowed with tourism potentials. Ogbukwu Cave and Water Falls is seen as one of the outstanding sites in the state. Sadly, it is being starved of the basic support it needs to attract attention beyond the Southeast region.

    A former tour guide of the site, ThankGod Okechukwu, said: “There is a marked access road to the cave. You can use a vehicle to a point and park. Then you will trek about five poles to get to the cave.

    “This cave has no religious implications. It is purely for tourism.

    “We also need electricity. People are moving to the cave to establish businesses.

    “If there is electricity, hotels will be attracted to the area.  It will save people the cost of spending money on generator and more people will like to enjoy themselves there confident that there will be uninterrupted power supply.

    “When people come with ice block to get there drinks cold and it melts, the picnic will not worth it anymore.”

    He said that the government of Obiano made a remarkable attempt at developing the place, “but you know how politicians do their things. They erected change room before the cave. They awarded contract for the road leading to the cave but left it after putting drainage.

    “Other works like the staircase that would lead somebody into the cave was done by the community. The state government was given some hectares of land to develop that place but they never did.

    “(Governor) Soludo has not done anything about the cave. Since Obiano left, there has been no government attention anymore.

    “At the federal level, when Nbanefo was the DG of tourism, he tried to enlist it as a national monument, but politics did not allow it to fly.”

    By estimation, ThankGod said, the cave is a big site.

    “When the Lebanese came there, they said it is the largest cave in West Africa. They came here through the help of the late Prof Achelonu of Imo State University. It has waterfall and two pavilions.

    Schools around the Southeast, especially those in Natural Sciences Department and people from other places come here.”

    Inadequate attention by government 

    The whole challenge, according to Olowolabi, is that government has not been paying adequate attention to tourism development.

    He said: “I always refer to the Idanre Hills as a goldmine in neglect. Despite the parlous state of the site, every weekend, you find a convoy of coastal buses from different parts of Nigeria  conveying students and tourists to the place. 

    “When they do the annual festival every May, the crowd there is unbelievable. All of this tells us that if developed, the place will be a money spinner for the government.

     “When tourists come to Idanre, they travel to Akure to sleep because we don’t have any hotels that can take a coastal bus load of visitors.  There is no hotel in Idanre that has up to 14 rooms.”

    Wale Ojo Lanre, a frontline stakeholder in the industry, said: “All the tourism sites in Nigeria are weeping.

    “Just of recent, you can digitalise Ikogosi in Ekiti. It has been concessioned to a private sector.

    “Nigeria has over 700 coastlines but we have not been able to do anything about it. Gambia has only 68 beach lines and over 72 hotels.  I have never visited any tourist site in Nigeria that has good infrastructure. I can never invite any foreign tourist to come.

    “Most of the sites are crying. Most of them are in the wrong places. Most of them are neglected.”

    Dr Lucky Gerorge on his part lamented the horrible state of roads which he strongly belives will never motivate tourists to visit the country. 

    He said: “Most of the tourist sites are just there. The attractions are not competitive enough and they have not been known to sway anybody to come in from Europe to spend holiday in Nigeria except you are coming with something else in mind.

    “This is why Nigeria is not a leisure destination. A leisure destination is different from a business destination.

    “What we spend money on as attraction is because people don’t have somewhere else to go to in most cases.

    “The roads are very bad. I am doing my second PhD in Nsukka and I left Lagos in the morning and got there past 12 the following morning. It is that bad.

    “Imagine telling a tourist to come into Nigeria. When you look at what you are coming to see in Nigeria and what you can see in other places, you will say Nigeria does not rank among preferred destinations.”

    Mass tourism, according to him, is what makes a destination and not when three or five people come into a place. “No country survives on  those low number of traffic. 

    “Why is France the most visited country in the world? These people receive about 100 million travellers in a year. Spain receives about 70 million and Dubai gets close to 15 million. 

    “When you build hotels, you need people to fill them. The same thing when you build attractions, shops, etc.

    Insurgents occupy tourism sites

    Aside from neglect by various governments, findings also showed that the challenge of insecurity has done incalculable damage to tourism potentials of the country.

    In Bauchi, Bature said, the challenge of kidnappings in communities and villages around Yankari Games Reserve has scared people from visiting the site like they used to do.

    “People, including foreigners, used to go there in large numbers. Now the place is beginning to experience security challenges. 

    “Recently, communities and villages around the place have started experiencing the problem of kidnapping and that makes it not to be as safe as it used to.” 

    Also bemoaning the destructive impacts of insecurity on tourism in the country, Dr Lucky George said: “Insecurity is a major problem in Gashaka Gumti in Taraba State, on the Mambila Pateau axis. Before now, if you didn’t have money to go to London, you could go to the plateau and experience temperate weather. But insecurity has become a challenge there.

    “The same goes for Bauchi, the Maiduguri axis and the Gombe axis. Don’t forget the Hadejia Nguru wetland where people used to go from Kano to Hadejia, from Hadejia to Nguru, from Nguru to where you have these migratory birds.  That axis has been completely wiped out from the path of local tourism.”

    Also speaking on this  Barrister Wale Ojo Lanre lamented the calamity that insecurity has brought upon tourism in the country.

    He said: “Successive governments don’t value those tourism sites. That is why insurgents occupy the place. Some of the protected areas called national parks, many of them have been occupied by insurgents.

    “It is not about insurgency affecting tourism but insurgents have occupied those places. How will a tourist go to a site occupied by insurgents?”

    Listing the various sites that have been taken over by insecurity, he said:

    “Kanji National Park is under Boko Haram, Gashaka Gumti National Park is where we have Boko Haram’s headquarters. Sambisa Forest is part of the national park.

    “Kamuku National Park has been occupied by insurgents. How can you go there? Tell me what you want to go and see.

    “One of the ancient castles there in Kaduna was built by a German. I think the German there has been abducted.

    “These are parts of the challenges facing tourism development in Nigeria.”

    Successive governments, according to Wale Ojo-Lanre don’t think about tourism but they  think about oil. 

    “If successive Nigerian governments think about tourism, they will protect it.            

    “Nigerian tourism industry is worth over 100 trillion dollars. If you know what is meant by tourism industry, you will be mad with successive governments in this country.”

    Looking at how other countries turned their economies aound using tourism, he said: “Malaysia is a country like Nigeria. The population is about 25 million. In 2018, 26 million people visited the country because of tourism.

    “How did that happen? Malaysia produces oil. In the early 80s, oil was their major revenue, so there was oil boom.

    “But after oil boom, there was oil doom and they suffered. After that experience, Malaysia resolved that never will they allow their country to be maltreated by foreign power of petrol.

    “They diverted all the money they made from oil boom to develop the tourism sites in their country, raising tourism from nowhere to highest revenue generator. Oil then came third after tourism.

    “The manufacturing sector is the first revenue generator, tourism is second while oil after it.

    “Nigeria didn’t do that. Imagine Nigeria giving N1billion to each state to develop two tourism sites.  Do you know how many people will be employed? Do you know how much the 72 sites will inject into the economy?

    How to revive tourism potentials

    In spite of the despicable state of the tourism sector in the country, stakeholders strongly believe that all hopes are not lost yet.Wale Ojo Lanre says the country would need, among other things, a workable national policy to revive the sector.

    “Nigeria must have a national policy on tourism. There must be a master plan.

    “No country can move tourism forward without a master plan. It must be protected in the manner that the oil sector is protected by ensuring that we have tourism police.

    “Jordan is the only country in the Middle East that doesn’t have oil but it thrives on educational tourism, medical tourism and real tourism. They have tourism police. 

    “Ghana makes more money from tourism than Nigeria and it does not have up to 10 tourism sites.  Gambia too is making money from tourism. 

    “There is no legal framework on tourism. The existing ones are archaic.”

     He continued: “It was only during the Obasanjo era that we had a semblance of tourism development. After Obasanjo’s regime, tourism went down and it has never been raised up since.

    “The only thing that has consistently happened is the presence of stakeholders, practitioners, private sector who are just scratching the surface. So tourism is nowhere at all.

    “Obasanjo was the only government that created a stand-alone ministry of art, culture and tourism. After his regime, the ministry of art and culture was merged with ministry of information. 

    “There is no specific budget for it.  The budget comes under the Ministry of Information. It is the same thing with states that have ministry of culture and tourism. Most of them don’t understand what is meant by tourism.

    “When one of the parastatals that is meant to be under tourism was talking about digital packaging of Nigeria’s tourism, I smiled and I said digitilisation my foot.  You cannot build something on nothing.

    “Where do you want to digitalise? You want to digitalise what is not there? Nigeria doesn’t have up to 10 tourism sites that you can lure people to come and use. 

    “I was the one that said there should be a stand-alone tourism ministry after Obasanjo. I was at the Senate on two occasions and called press conferences. Now it has been created. It was created newly.”

    Efforts to get the reaction of the Ministry of Tourism on what its doing to salvage the industry was unsuccessful.

    The spokesperson, Emem Offiong, did not answer call to her mobile line and was yet to respond our text message.

  • Online travel agency expands, partners on tourism

    Online travel agency expands, partners on tourism

    International Online Travel Agency (OTA), Travelwings.com, has unveiled operations in Lekki, Lagos. 

      The event marked a strategic expansion driven by success of its Ikeja office.

    Amanpreet Singh, chief Commercial officer, said:  “We are excited about our expansion into Lekki. We have received positive feedback from our operations in Ikeja. 

    ‘’It is a pleasure to bring our operations to prospective travellers in and around Lekki and we look forward to giving our customers the best service.” 

    Read Also: Confusion shrouds health condition of tourism minister Ade-John

     Sean Bradley, chief Business Development officer-Africa, added: “Travel and tourism adds value to the economy by contributing to GDP – tourism’s contribution was at a level of $25.36 billion in 2022, up from $23.71 billion. 

     Travelwings.com remains committed to working with Department of Tourism and help promote Nigeria”.

    Prominent personalities at the event included actress, Ini Edo, fashion designer, Yomi Casual, and actor-model, IK Ogbonna, among others.

     Travelwings.com provides best travel deals on holidays, discounts on domestic and international flights from Lagos, packages on luxury cruises, and a flexible payment plan.

  • How to revamp Nigeria’s tourism sector, by experts

    How to revamp Nigeria’s tourism sector, by experts

    For the nation’s tourism subsector to achieve its full potentials there is need for a total rejig of the security architecture of the country.

    This is the submission of a cross section of experts including tourism and culture enthusiasts, diplomats, academics, who spoke at a public forum to mark this years World Tourism Day in Lagos.

    According to the experts, for the sustenance of Nigeria’s culture, particularly as it relates to language and names, a lot needs to be done to curb Western influence as this is fast supplanting the pair.

    The experts insisted that the occasion equally served as a platform to underscore the need to also reawaken  some of the nation’s tourism assets that have hitherto remain unexplored, adding that the existing ones must equally be consolidated upon.

    The speakers who lent their voices at Oshodi Gallery in Ikorodu, Lagos, were led by the paramount ruler of Ikorodu HRM Kabiru Adewale Oba Shotobi.

    Otunba Olaniyi Banjoko, a member of the Ayangburen-in -Council who spoke on behalf of the monarch, said excursion has remained one of the best learning methodologies till date, saying what one learns in the classroom could be temporary, but what is learned via sightseeing remains eternal and could easily be recalled.

    Code switching from Yoruba and English, Banjoko explained the reason behind his action is to demonstrate his thorough understanding of both Yoruba and English languages, adding that his knowledge of the former which he learned as a child tremendously helped his understanding of the latter.

    He said: “Right from when we are young, we had learned that going on excursion remains one of the ways by which we can best learn and that methodology is still very potent till today. What you learned through tourism in one month, you can never learn it in the classroom in one year.”

    He said though Nigeria appears to be endowed with lots of tourist sites; he lamented that there are many more tourists sites still unexploited, challenging the authorities to look in that direction so as to be on the same page with societies that are leveraging on tourism to attract funding and huge investments. Further, the monarch admonished guests and school pupils in attendance to value their mother tongue and language as these represents a man’s identity anywhere he find himself.

    Media veteran, and playwright Mr Ben Tomoloju, who gave a rather scathing remarks of the nation’s security configuration, noted that aside that the improvement in security has been at a snail pace, the tourism sub-sectors has also been one of its worst hit.

    Tomoloju spoke on the theme: ‘Tourism in Nigeria: Matters Arising.’

    Going down memory lane, Tomoloju recalled how some three decades ago he, alongside other like minded individuals pushed for the establishment of the Ministry of Tourism. Nonetheless, Tomoloju said having attained that, insecurity now posed the biggest threats to it.

    Similarly, Tomoloju said the country’s game reserves that used to be the pastime of foreign tourists are now havens for bandits, kidnappers and other criminals.

    Read Also: Petroleum Minister Lokpobiri, Kyari inspect ‘quick-fix’ works at Warri Refinery

    “I am calling on the Federal Government to save our tourism by ensuring that our security forces are constantly put on their toes,” he said, adding that “We have lost counts of number of innocent Nigerians and foreigners that are being kidnapped on daily basis by criminals and bandits. What is most shocking is that after these people have been kidnapped, they are taken to the forest which also used to be one of the best tourists attractions particularly to foreign visitors in those days.

    “As a child in those days, we used to visit those game reserves for excursion. I am of the belief that no parent seated here will risk taking their wards for sightseeing in the forest. Even the foreigners that used to show so much interest in visiting our forests are no longer coming because of insecurity.

    “Some might say I am attacking the government, but if those geographical space which we used to tour at the time can no longer be toured by our grand children of today, then we have a danger hanging on our heads.”

    Dr Kehinde Adepegba another arts freak and a lecturer from Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) who spoke on: ‘Connection Between Arts and Culture’, said whenever tourism is mentioned, people’s mind usually goes to travelling and sightseeing only. He said tourism, aside beautiful spectacles, also encapsulates the host’s way of life including dressing, food, dance, among others, which, according to him, forms their identity.

    He therefore enjoined Nigerians not to relent in wearing their native clothing, speaking their dialects, and traditional dance, adding that these are what interest foreigners whenever they come visiting.

    He identified three encumberances of tourism to include bad road, poor road network, and insecurity, admonishing the authorities to improve on the aforementioned.

    The even also featured other activities including a tour of the studio, cultural performances and comedy, among others

    The initiator of the gallery Dr Oshodi Seyi Paul, recalled how the gallery was established nearly three years ago.

    At present, he said the gallery houses more than 17,000 artworks, an is being manned by 23/standby artistes and seven corps members.

    Oshodi said the outfit join others in the world to celebrate the World Toursim Day because both arts and tourism is interwined.

    “Arts is life,” Oshodi began. “People pay a lot of money to travel to Dubai, Jerusalem and many other beautiful places. Arts is a good and enduring career that can be made a livelihood.

    “Arts is less of drawing but more of aesthetics. It might interest you that those beautiful shoes, clothings and houses are first conceptualised in arts. That is why i am encouraging young children to take a career in arts.

    He said the facility would be willing to join hands with other partners in the promotion of arts nationwide.

    The high point of the event was the presentation of an artwork by the gallery to monarch of Ikorodu.

    Appreciating the donor, another member of the Ayangburen-in-Council Chief Olukayode Olomo said the palace would always remain aporeciative for using the galleey to promote African values. He assured the Mr Oshodi of the monarch’s full support, noting that the gallery would henceforth be coopted into any cutural fiesta in Ikorodu majorly for handshake and cross-fertilisation of ideas.

  • ‘We will recover tourism sites’

    ‘We will recover tourism sites’

    Abia State Government has initiated moves to retrieve Ojukwu Bunker, National War Museum and other important tourism sites in the state that are under the control of the Federal Government, for better management.

    The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Alex Otti on Tourism and Entertainment, Mr. Justice Martins, made this known at a news conference in Umuahia.

    Martins, a music artist and entertainment expert popularly called J. Martins, who disclosed that the state government had engaged the Federal Ministry of Tourism, hoped that the move would be successful.

    The idea, according to him, was to prevent such historic and important tourism sites from further deterioration.

    The SSA to Governor Otti said the intention of the Otti-led administration was to revive the ailing tourism and entertainment industry and make the sector one of the active job and revenue generating sectors in the state.

    He said there were over 17 tourism sites in the state that had been identified and among others that would be harnessed to make them tourism potential and destination in the state.

    He said plans were also in the pipeline to develop the popular Azumini Blue River in Ukwa East, and turn the area into a major tourism site in the country.

    Read Also: ‘Nigeria can save $2b from medical tourism annually’

    J. Martins further said there were plans to build leisure parks in Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia representing the three senatorial zones.

    He said by next month the state government would begin the certification of hotels in the state with a view to classifying them according to their ranks, and ensuring efficient service delivery.

    He said hotel owners had expressed delight about the proposal, promising to upgrade their facilities.

    economy as the 2023 theme focuses on green investments and tourism.”

    Continuing, he said: “Tourism is not just about visiting new places; it’s about forging connections, understanding different cultures, and appreciating the incredible diversity of our world.

    “It transcends borders and fosters a sense of unity among people. It has the power to break down stereotypes, promote tolerance and build bridges of understanding.

    “In a world where conflicts and divisions often dominate headlines, tourism becomes a force for peace and harmony.

    “Yet, the impact of tourism extends far beyond cultural exchanges. It is a formidable driver of economic growth, providing livelihood to millions of people around the globe.

    “Small and large businesses, from local artisans to international hotel chains, rely on the tourism industry for their sustenance.

    “As we emerge from the challenges posed by the global pandemic and insecurity, tourism can be a crucial catalyst for economic recovery and resilience.

    “Under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, Abia is positioned to drive a regional and national tourism growth and is poised to strive to position. Abia is a safe destination of choice for quality entertainment, leisure and tourism.

    “We are jointly developing a blueprint for action in achieving the mandate of Dr. Otti’s led administration drive for a more robust and inclusive economy.”

  • Steven Ndukwu: How Nigeria can boost tourism industry

    Steven Ndukwu: How Nigeria can boost tourism industry

    Nigeria, West Africa’s most populous country, is on the cusp of a tourism boom, with anticipated revenues expected to reach $2.95 billion in 2023. This significant growth is attributed to the Nigerian government’s determined efforts to entice more visitors to the nation, as reported by Diplomacy Beyond.
    However, in comparison to the global tourism industry’s projected revenue of $2.3 trillion in 2023, with an estimated growth rate of 13.9%, as per IBIS World data, Nigeria’s tourism sector holds considerable untapped potential.

    To explore strategies for boosting Nigeria’s tourism industry, Steven Ndukwu, a filmmaker, and travel influencer with over 50 million online views on YouTube, recently shared his insights during a press interview.

    Creating a niche

    Ndukwu stressed the importance of carving out a unique niche in the tourism market. He pointed to successful destinations like Dubai in the UAE, which positioned itself as an affordable yet diverse travel hotspot. “Dubai is a country where with less than $300 or $400, you can come and have a good time,” the content creator explained. “And if you have up to $2,000 or $5,000, there’s also something for you. Nigeria should identify its own niche and target specific demographics to attract visitors.”

    Privatisation of the Tourism Industry

    The travel influencer advocated for the privatization of Nigeria’s tourism industry, emphasizing that this approach could harness the expertise and resources of wealthy businessmen. He said, “Privatising the industry would allow businessmen to invest in boosting the sector, with profit-sharing arrangements involving the government.” He also highlighted Dubai’s example, where the government played a significant role in tourism development, but also recognized the need for private sector involvement.

    Marketing, both Internally and externally

    Effective marketing, both within Nigeria and internationally, is essential to attract tourists. Citing an example, he said “Tanzanian tour companies for instance focus their marketing efforts in Europe and the United States, acknowledging the importance of targeting markets with substantial foreign exchange potential.” He also recommended that Nigeria collaborate with travel influencers and expand its marketing efforts to target specific regions and demographics.

    Tackling security concerns

    Addressing security concerns is paramount to attracting tourists. Ndukwu stressed that Nigeria must prioritize and ensure safety both within the country and on its roadways, as tourists prioritize security when choosing destinations.
    “Rwanda is doing excellently well in the tourism industry, because it is ranked in the top five safest places for solo travelers at the moment. You can walk around at 2:00 a.m and nothing is going to happen to you, you feel the same way you’re in Dubai as well.”

    Promising Nigerian travel destinations

    When asked about specific travel destinations within Nigeria, the Youtuber mentioned several potential gems. He highlighted Calabar, known for its historical significance and the Obudu Cattle Ranch, offering beautiful mountainous landscapes. In addition, he suggested tapping into the desert landscapes of Yobe and the Yankari Game Reserve to rival famous African wildlife destinations.
    In the west, Ndukwu envisioned Lagos as a potential haven for resort-style tourism, leveraging its abundant shorelines. He also emphasised the importance of promoting Nigerian festivals and cultural events to attract visitors.

    The role of the new Minister of Tourism

    The content creator acknowledged the importance of the new Minister of Tourism in Nigeria. He reiterated that the challenges of insecurity and marketing must be overcome for the sector to flourish. “Security and marketing are the two critical issues,” he emphasized.

    Leveraging social media (YouTube, Instagram)

    Drawing inspiration from successful destinations, he recommended creating a niche for Nigeria and investing heavily in marketing, emphasizing, “Dubai’s niche is affordability and they spend on innovation.” He also cited Rwanda’s innovative approach of placing “Visit Rwanda” campaigns on football jerseys, saying, “I think Rwanda has this nice strategy now, where they put their ‘Visit Rwanda’ campaign call on the football players’ jersey.”

    He also underscored the pivotal role of social media platforms like creating a dedicated “Visit Nigeria” page to amplify the nation’s tourism message and showcase the country’s tourism potential to a global audience. “Dubai’s only strategy was digital media and that was what they used to catch the whole world,” he said.

  • ‘Nigerian tourism on the cusp of global reckoning’

    ‘Nigerian tourism on the cusp of global reckoning’

    As we welcome the new Minister for Tourism, I am hopeful that in our time, Nigeria can secure its place on the global tourism map while making a positive contribution to sustainable development.

    By Folorunsho Coker

    An essential platform for tourism growth

    The recent announcement by the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of the creation of a stand-alone Ministry of Tourism, and the appointment of a substantive Minister to run the Ministry is ample proof of the genuine intention of this administration to recognise tourism as a significant low hanging fruit for Nigeria’s economic growth and for the development of the industry.

    The ministerial appointee, Ms Lola Ade John is a notable professional with cognate experience in the information and disruptive technology space and I am positive that her appointment to the Ministry of Tourism is just what the industry needs at a time like this.

    Globally, the tourism value chain is a trillion-dollar industry that interconnects many sub-sectors, providing employment for millions of people and serving as a major contributor to National GDP’s. Sadly, Africa only accounts for 4% of this market.

    There is need for all stakeholders in the industry to awaken to their responsibilities and collaboratively work towards the growth of the sector. The value chain of Nigeria’s tourism economy is vast. From the hospitality sector to aviation and transportation, destination management, souvenir production, event packaging, carnivals, festivals and cultural promotions, among others, the opportunities of leveraging this key growth sector to create jobs, shore up revenue and add to the nation’s GDP are limitless.

    As administrators, my team and I strongly believe that to become a tourism hub in Africa, we need to develop domestic tourism first. The development of domestic tourism will increase the country’s attraction to sponsors and investors. They will, in turn, develop the industry, develop our tourism assets, leading to further infrastructural development that will let loose the huge potentials of the tourism industry.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s GDP rises to 2.51% in Q2 2023

    Certainly, the new Ministry of Tourism offers the required growth structure for promoting the country as a destination of choice for many across the world, particularly as the demand for Nigerian tourism is strengthening and gearing up to surpass the 2019 pre-COVID levels, when international tourist arrivals accounted for over 2.2 million people, with receipts in excess of $1.4 billion. Across the world, tourism has recovered by 80% of its value, post-COVID, while Africa has recovered by as much as 88%. The opportunities for domestic growth of the sector are therefore very apparent.

    There is equally now hope that domestic tourism, which is six times larger than international tourism, and constitutes more than 70% of tourism markets, will witness the collaborative drive that it requires from all stakeholders and this will result in the increase of inbound tourism. This will be good for the development of Nigeria’s rural communities, where a lot of the tourist sites are located.

    We must address several challenges to fully realise our tourism potential. Investment in infrastructure development is crucial, alongside the improvements to transportation networks, accommodations, and tourist facilities. Public-private partnerships can play a vital role in attracting investment and expertise. In addition, we must prioritise the safety and security of tourists through effective security measures and proactive risk management strategies. By building trust and confidence, we can assuage concerns and create a welcoming environment for visitors.

    Some quick ideas that come to mind for prompt intervention and growth of tourism in Nigeria include the following:

    Commissioning of a National Tourism Development Master Plan

    For coordinated growth of the sector, there is need to inaugurate a National Tourism Development Master Plan in line with the National Development Plan 2021–2025 that fits with government’s long-term aspiration, as encapsulated in the Nigeria Agenda 2050 for the measurable and coordinated growth of the sector.

    Activation of the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA)

    The Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) is a standardised quantitative tool required for capturing tourism related data, which is necessary for coordinated nationwide planning and development. There is therefore need to domesticate the TSA in Nigeria.

    Placement of Tourism in the Federal Constitution

    Due to its multi-faceted nature, tourism is a concurrent matter that involves all tiers of government. Accordingly, there is need to engage with the National Assembly to properly place tourism on the Concurrent List in the federal constitution and remove all ambiguity around it. This is necessary for tourism to thrive as envisaged.

    Leveraging on the open skies agreement and the single African market

    The Open Skies Agreement, a key component of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, has the potential to transform Nigeria’s tourism landscape. By removing restrictive air travel regulations, the agreement fosters greater connectivity and accessibility, making it easier for international tourists to explore Nigeria’s tourism assets. Improved air transport infrastructure, combined with streamlined visa processes, will attract a larger number of visitors, providing a significant boost to the tourism industry.

    Strengthening institutional and human capacity development across the industry

    There is need to improve the range of skills necessary to provide quality services and experiences within the industry by partnering with stakeholders and educational organisations to provide the required skills and capacity for personnel and practitioners.

    The standardised training system should attract young and mature Nigerians back to study and training, and provide them with specialised skills and pathways to new careers in the tourism, hospitality and services sectors. The training should be more vocational and not just academic.

    Encouraging tourism investment and funding

    There is need to create a functional Tourism Development Fund, as well as an enabling environment for tourism investors to thrive and drive the development of tourism sites, assets and destination marketing. Also, financial institutions should be incentivised to act as partners in progress by providing single digit long term development loans to the industry.

    New regional leadership role

    At the just concluded 66th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa, which held between the 26th and 28th of July in Mauritius, Nigeria was elected into the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), and as Vice Chair of the Commission for Africa. This is a major step for Nigerian tourism, and it confers huge advantages for regional and global visibility, as it came on the heels of the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This new development offers Nigeria another  window of opportunity to showcase the best of her culture and diversity to the rest of the world.

    Key benefits of this landmark achievement in Mauritius, would include the setting up of a UNWTO Tourism Academy in Nigeria, access to UNWTO tourism grants for supporting the local industry, and technical assistance for the activation of the Tourism Satellite Account.

    According to the UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili at the event, “the agenda for the organisation of tourism in Africa has become updated for inclusive growth (which reflects the newer challenges of post-pandemic tourism and the priorities of members), as such, the vision for African tourism is that of stronger governance, more education and better jobs. Therefore, there is the need to innovate more around Africa as a brand, in a manner that would enhance tourism by unlocking its growth through investment, alongside public-private partnerships.”

    Also, some of the achievements of UNWTO over the past year were pointed out as including the expansion of tourism investments across the continent, the promotion of gender equality in all roles and youth empowerment, in line with the advocacy for “Brand Africa” to drive regional tourism outcomes.

    Brand Africa is a powerful tool that Nigeria can leverage on to enhance the tourism sector. By showcasing the nation’s unique cultural heritage, vibrant traditions, and warm hospitality, we can create a distinct and compelling brand identity. Collaborative marketing campaigns, both domestically and internationally, can highlight Nigeria’s diverse attractions, captivating potential tourists and dispelling any misconceptions about the country. Emphasising Nigeria’s position as a gateway to Africa’s rich tapestry of experiences will further enhance its appeal to global travelers seeking authentic and transformative encounters. I am gladdened that such an analogous brand already exists at the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority.

    We will work together to promote the “Tour Nigeria” brand to accelerate the growth of tourism, collaborate with international organisations, neighbouring countries, and regional tourism bodies.

    By cultivating collaborative partnerships, we believe that Nigeria can benefit from shared knowledge, expertise, and promotional opportunities. Joint marketing initiatives showcasing Nigeria’s unique offerings within the African context will bolster our brand visibility on the global tourism stage. Furthermore, we would look to actively participate in international tourism events and leverage on our digital platforms to reach a broader audience, going forward.

    Conclusion

    Nigeria stands at the threshold of a transformative era in its tourism industry. By harnessing the opportunities presented by the Open Skies Agreement and the AfCFTA, addressing the challenges posed by inadequate investments in the sector, and leveraging the power of the “Tour Nigeria” brand, we can propel the tourism sector to new heights.

    Through sustainable practices, infrastructure development, collaborative partnerships, and effective promotion, we can unlock our tourism potentials and emerge as a sought-after destination. This will be executed by embracing innovation and disruptive technologies, and preserving our cultural heritage and natural wonders.

    As we welcome the new Minister for Tourism, I am hopeful that in our time, Nigeria can secure its place on the global tourism map while making a positive contribution to sustainable development.

    Folorunsho Coker is the Baba Eto of Yorubaland and Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority.

  • ITPN commends Tinubu on Tourism Ministry

    ITPN commends Tinubu on Tourism Ministry

    National President of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Chief Abiodun Odusanwo has expressed his gratitude and thanks to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for heeding to the calls and aspirations of the Nigerian tourism community for the establishment of a stand-alone Tourism Ministry for the country, siting the development as a very key and strategic move by the government to embrace tourism as a key driver of socio-economic growth of the country.

    He said the industry never had it this good for a stand-alone tourism not attached with any burden of responsibility except tourism and tourism alone, noting that government has really taken the bull by the horns in becoming the unifying and rallying point for all private sector operators in the sector to look up to for the provision of better policy directives and the provision of necessary infrastructure for Nigeria to be transformed into a compelling, highly competitive and preferred destination.

    In a congratulatory letter to the newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Ms. Lola Ade-John, while he felicitates with the Minister on her appointment, Odusanwo urged her to bring her vast and wealth of experience as an IT specialist and astute finance and resource manager to bear in running the ministry so that the country can fully tap and benefit from the enormous socio-economic potentials of the nation’s tourism resources.

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    He said Nigeria is greatly endowed with huge tourism potentials waiting to be tapped, urging the Minister to see her appointment as a clarion call to grow and develop the country’s tourism resources via the creative application of modern technology which is capable of generating great revenue, creating job opportunities, fighting poverty and revamping the ailing national economy, stating that while the private sector operators are the orchestra in their respective fields of callings, government remains the conductor providing the sense of vision, coordinating competitive marketing intelligence, the executional insights and the ability to bring members of the orchestra together to achieve the desired national goals that the tourism industry stands to offer.

    Odusanwo stated that industry players and critical stakeholders in the sector look up to the minister to run the affairs of the ministry with that ‘orchestra-conductor’ relationship with the objective of re-positioning the ministry as a viable government body for purposeful leadership guidance and direction, functional policy formulations, and implementable high-tech solutions that will create the enabling environment for operators of the industry at both public and private sector levels to thrive.

    ‘The call for a stand-alone tourism ministry has been on for a very long time now, but coming to the rescue with the creation of the Tourism Ministry by the administration of President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, it is hoped that the Renewed Hope Agenda of his Government will truly breath a renewed hope in the Nigerian tourism industry for better performance in the nation’s socio-economic facet’, he adduced.

    He noted further that the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria as the nation’s premier professional awarding body in tourism, hospitality and related trades, will continue to ensure high level of competent professional practices in the industry as well as put in check the wanton and unwholesome infiltration and practices of quacks within the professional folds of the industry.

    He then called on all critical stakeholders and key players in the industry to instill professional competence in their operations and rally round most diligently to support the new Minister in the successful administration of the ministry that will ensure better results and greater outcome for the industry and for the good of the country.

  • Tourism expert advocates better security to boost sector

    Tourism expert advocates better security to boost sector

    A tourism expert, Mrs. Adewole Oyeyemi Mercy has harped on the need for better security in Nigeria to boost economy in tourism sector, saying without peace and security, the best tourist attractions will be inaccessible to anybody.

    She stated this in Lagos during the week at a workshop organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) for Exporters/Exhibitors on Post-fair Monitoring & Evaluation Exercise On International Fairs/Exhibitions.

    Adewole, is also founder, Isaac Mercy Women and Children Foundation, noted that travel advisories will discourage or prohibits tourists from visiting the areas where peace, security and stability are not guaranteed, saying improved security, upgraded infrastructure will boost Nigeria’s economy through tourism.

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    To diversify the economy, she stressed the need for government, and the organised private sector to invest in the tourism sector so as to reduce dependency on oil.

    Speaking on the theme, “How Exports can be done with Ease” she tasked the federal government to look beyond exporting food items and Adire clothing materials and also export tourism.

    Tourism, she maintained, is a critical driver of global economy from which Nigeria can also recover her economy if the potentials are fully harnessed.

    The tourism enthusiast added that The Gambia was able to build her economy around tourism because the country remains one of the most peaceful in the world.

  • Edo govt, stakeholders partner to boost tourism

    The Edo State government and stakeholders in the state’s tourism sector have identified new channels and offerings to attract more tourists to the state, as part of strategies to expand the portfolio of its assets in the arts, culture and tourism sector to grow inbound tourist traffic.

    This was the outcome of a parley organised by the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, to mark the  World Tourism Day in Benin City, the state capital.

    Held at the Ogba Zoological Garden in Benin City, the stakeholders said the new offerings would include siting of clean markets for tourists, inclusion of tourism studies in school curricula, re-engineering of monuments to their original specification and promotion of community tourism.

    Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Dorcas Idehen, said the state government is reviving tourism sites in the state to provide means of livelihood for youths and women and also boost economic diversification. He urged youths to take advantage of reforms in the tourism industry to make money for themselves and their households.

    The commissioner stressed the need for preservation of Edo culture; its language, food and history through which more tourists can be attracted to the state.  He assured that adequate preparation is being put in place ahead of the hosting of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), during which jobs will be created and boost the state’s tourism potential.

    The Managing Director, Ogba Zoological Garden, Andy Ehanire, said tourism remains a veritable means of boosting job creation in Edo State, especially with the state’s rich cultural heritage, sites and monuments.

    Ehanire highlighted factors that would improve tourism development in the state to include siting of clean markets for tourists; inclusion of tourism studies in school curricula, and re-engineering of monuments to their original specification and promotion of community tourism.

    He noted that tourism offers a lot of opportunities for youths to be engaged as tour guides, travel agents, tour operators, among others.

  • ‘Travel, tourism boost Africa’s GDP by 8.5% ’

    Travel and tourism remained one of the key growth drivers of Africa’s economy, contributing 8.5 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last year. This is equivalent to $194.2 billion, according to  2019 Jumia Hospitality Report Africa.

    It said the growth record placed the continent as the second-fastest growing tourism region in the world, with a growth rate of 5.6 per cent after Asia Pacific and against a 3.9 per cent global average growth rate.

    “Our focus is to continue showcasing Africa as a continent full of beauty and opportunity. Through this report, we want to help draw attention to the vast potential of the tourism industry, that we believe is an untapped lever of economic growth,” Jumia’s Head of Travel, Estelle Verdier, said.

    The report was made avaiable  during the release of the yearly report at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) in Addis Ababa, ahead of the World Tourism Day.

    The report said Africa received 67 million international tourist arrivals in 2018, to record a +7 per cent increase from 63 million arrivals in 2017 and 58 million in 2016.

    It attributed this gradual increase to the affordability and ease of travel especially within the continent, with spending among domestic travellers accounting for 56 per cent as compared to 44 per cent international expenditure.

    Also, leisure travel, the report said, remains an important component of Africa’s tourism industry, taking up a majority 71 per cent of the tourist expenditure in 2018.

    Verdier noted that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) was expected to further boost domestic travel.

    “To realise the full potential gains will require cooperation from all industry players. Governments have to be willing to eliminate visa requirements for African nationals travelling to their countries.

    “Ministries and other responsible partner organisations should create campaigns that will promote their local travel destinations and tourism offerings to attract more regional travellers,” she stated.