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Tag: tourism

  • ‘Tourism must be business driven’

    ‘Tourism must be business driven’

    How relevant and business-oriented are the laws establishing the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation? Why have they not been reviewed in the past 35 years? Can the current laws sustain the corporation in this period of recession? These and many other questions prompted the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism to hold a one-day public hearing last Thursday pursuant to a new bill seeking to repeal the existing laws on NTDC. Venue was the Conference Hall 022, Senate Building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports. 

    Last Thursday’s Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism one-day public hearing on a new bill on Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in Abuja started on a frustrating note.

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed was absent and this enraged the committee, which described the act as unacceptable, especially when there was no representative sent by the minister to the hearing. No fewer than 45 groups, associations and individual stakeholders were invited and eight memoranda were received by the committee.

    Among stakeholders at the public hearing were  Senator Rose Okoh, Senator Sam Anyanwu, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Senator Abubakar Ahmadu, Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. Folorunso Coker, Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr. Abdala Yusuf Usman, Director-Genral, NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Chika Balogun, Valentine Ezeigbo (Transcorp Hilton Abuja), Abiodun Odusanwo (Nigerian Institute of Tourism Professionals), Victor Olukayode (Nigerian  Hotel and Catering Institute), President Society of Nigerian Artists, Mr. Oliver Enwonwu and representative of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.

    The new bill is seeking to make the tourism agency generate revenue, boost economy and justify its existence not as mere entertainment agency, but also as a catalyst for socio-economic growth.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, sponsor of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, (NTDA) Act N137 LFN, 2004 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2017 (SB 429), said the action speaks volumes  of the ministry’s disposition to culture and tourism matters. Also of great concern to the committee was the absence of six of the nine chief executives of parastatals and agencies in the ministry, who equally did not send memoranda or representatives to the hearing.

    Worried by these attitudes, Senate President BukolaSaraki, represented by Deputy Senate Leader Senator BalaNa’Allah called for the separation of tourism from Information Ministry.

    “For God’s sake we have an alternative. Let us remove ourselves from your strangulation. Let us show our men and women that we have the capacity to turn things around. When people are insisting tourism should be under Ministry of Information, can they see now that we are here and we can’t find anyone from the Ministry? The structure that we have held in the ministry has held us back seriously. That is is why there is the struggle on who becomes minister. Why the struggles if you decided to serve the people, why struggle to be one?

    “The thinking of the Senate is that everybody should have some level of freedom to put his intellect into fruition for the overall growth of the country. The problem is that no matter your intellect, you cannot go above a minister or director and the entire ministry is capped. So, our human resources are capped,” Saraki said.

    Expressing his frustration, Senator Urhoghide said: “There is no recognition given to the culture arm of this ministry. If the minister does not have time to attend, he should have sent a representative even if they are against the bill. Things are not working in the sector. If the national assembly is interested in changing the fortune of our land, I think it behooves on the executive to see to it that we are partners in progress. I take exception to this. It is very unfair and unfortunate.

    “This is an individual member’s bill and it ought to be an Executive bill. The agency ought to have raised this bill through the minister to the Attorney General’s office and the federal executive council. If we have short circuited these, it is very unfortunate. No person from the ministry is here. It speaks  volumes of its disposition to this bill. I will take exception to it as a committee, please convey that to the minister.

    “We are taking this daunting effort to ensure we reposition these agencies to justify their existence. Even the parastals have roles that are falling into one another, because even the laws are not there. Some have existed for over 20 years and there are no laws. How can we continue like that?

    You take tax payers money into a venture that is not adding value to Nigerians. How else do you define corruption? We might not be too exact, we must have a beginning. We are not serving anybody purpose but that of Nigerians. Whether the minister is here or not, it does not hinder the hearing. “

    Senator Urhoghide said it was needless to state that the Acts, which established some of these ‘agencies under our purview made them as mere entertainment agencies,’ adding that the committee had no choice but to provide for those that do not have laws establishing them, and amend those which do not allow such agencies to operate to meet set objectives and to generate revenue, not only to augment for their survival but to boost the country’s economy.

    “The role of tourism in enhancing inclusive economic growth and development of both advanced and emerging economies cannot be overemphasised. Tourism stimulates economic growth by generating income, employment, investments, exports and it serves as a catalyst for socio-economic development.

    In fact, tourism has been included as a target in goals 8, 12 and 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite the increasing and unpredictable shocks from terrorist attacks and political instability, health pandemics and natural disasters, travel and tourism continued to show its resilience in 2016, generating US$7.6 trillion (10.2 percent of global GDP) and 292 million jobs and accounted for about 30 percent of total global service exports.

    “Investment in tourism is particularly important for Nigeria due to dwindling government revenue and economic contraction as a result of the drastic fall in crude oil prices, and with the vision to be rated among the top 20 economies of the world today by 2020. Hence, tourism industry presents an alternative source of revenue for the government and job opportunities for the youthful population,” he added.

    He stressed that Nigeria was blessed with various tourists’ attractions, such as Yankari Game Reserve, Obudu Cattle Ranch, Mambilla Plateau, Zuma rock, Ancient Benin great wall, and  National Museum, and Slave House, among others.

    Urhoghide, however, noted that it was unfortunate that the contribution of tourism to Nigeria’s GDP was quite appalling, saying that in 2016, the total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP was N1,861.4 billion (1.7 percent of GDP), while travel and tourism generated 649,500 jobs directly  (1.6percent of total employment).

    “But in countries, such as Gambia and South Africa, tourism contributed about 7.4 percent and 4.6 percent directly to employment respectively. Similarly, while visitors export contributed about 46.5 percent to Gambia’s export in 2016, Nigeria’s visitors’ export accounted for about 1.9 percent of export in 2016.

    According to Senator Urhoghide, the Act since its enactment 35 years ago has not gone through any form of review or amendment despite having passed through several years of socio-political and economic changes. The Act like most laws made under the military regime is characterized with so many inadequacies and shortcomings.

    Director General NTDC, Mr. FolorunsoCoker said tourism is a business and not art or culture, but enjoys the assets of art and culture. He stated that Nigeria has a diverse culture that shows up in a unique way, which is tourism. “That is the business that includes transportation, accommodation, hospitality and entertainment. That is the business of NTDC. Let us not dilute or drift it into museum or monuments,” he said.

    According to him, the bill seeks to reverse the negative conversation about tourism in the story of Nigeria, to reverse why there is so much money globally in tourism but we cannot seem to make more than 1.8billion naira a year, to reverse the narrative that tourism employs more people than oil industry, but the story in Nigeria is different. There has to be change.

    He noted that the growth in the industry across the world and the values in it (7.8 trillion dollars), Africa only account for 5%, which is not Nigeria but from Egypt, Kenya and South Africa and yet ‘we are the wealthiest and most populous nation. Something is wrong. We must partake in these values that are spinning around us.’

    Coker observed that tourism in Nigeria has been based on destination, cultural and heritage, but has changed globally. “We are so rich in the aspects of tourism that the rest of the world uses to drive the consumption of their traditional tourism assets.

    We have a population that is second to none in Africa, we have a film industry that is number two in the world, we have a music industry that dominates Africa and its explosive around the world, our fashion is renowned, we have the largest experiences in terms of Pentecostal churches in the world, we are nation of sports fanatics. These vehicles are what other countries have used to drive people to look at their destination and culture.

    The hearing, which lasted about two hours, witnessed contributions from heads of agencies, associations, groups, individuals and members of the press.

    Director-General NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Chika Balogun

    In the new bill, hotel inspectorate division appears to be limited to only hotels. It should reflect a broad base spectrum of the hospitality, travel and tourism establishment.

    Section 37 (6):It provides that the decision of the appeal will be final and binding on the person. The right of person to seek redress in court seems somehow circumscribed hence should include without prejudice to the right of the aggrieved person to seek redress in competent court of law.

    Section.18: The idea of the corporation to float a Tour Operating Company is in conflict with its function as a regulator in the tour and travel operation industry in the country. However, no one currently superintends over the institutions’ operations and the personnel in the industry.

    Director-General National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Abdalla Yusuf Usman

    Section 4: Membership of the board: There is need to include agencies managing heritage sites such as NCMM on the board.

    Section 17: The new bill seems to specify that the corporation is to market and not develop sites. There are institutions that are responsible for the development of sites.

    Section 21: Employment: Since the corporation is a government institution it should be guided by civil service rules and regulations. This will ensure justice and fairness, transparency and accountability.

    Section 25: Borrowing money: The agency should seek the consent of the supervising ministry responsible for tourism in Nigeria before engaging in such transactions.

    Section 29: Tourism levy: I don’t think this can promote tourism. At this stage we are in now, our tax should encourage tourists to Nigeria. Countries that charge tourism levy have developed their tourism to a level that they could afford to do so. And we have not reached that level and such it will be unwise.

    Section 26: Tourism Fund: If tourism is related to art and culture, therefore Endowment for the Art should include tourism so that it can serve both sectors.

  • Peace moves on the plateau

    Peace moves on the plateau

    After violent conflicts severely tested its claim to serenity, Jos, the Plateau State capital, may be about to reclaim its peace, thanks to a group of senior citizens. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

    There was a time when you could go to Jos and dream. Its clement weather was the clincher, cool and inviting all year round. The various ethnic groups that dot the plateau lived harmoniously with one another. No one was surprised when Plateau State claimed it was home of peace and tourism. Then, violence crept in, and Jos, the beautiful state capital, came under massive assault.

    The bloodshed has abated, thanks in part to peace-building processes and Governor Simon Lalong’s overtures. Now some elder statesmen have staked their claim and interest in the peace of Jos. They initiated an organisation called ‘Make Jos Great Again Forum’. The forum, according to the organisers, is to help Jos reclaim its status as “Home of Peace and Tourism”.

    Jos used to be home to all Nigerians and even foreigners alike. But since 2001 when a major conflict broke out, visitors changed their patronage of Jos as a second home. Apart from that, settlement within the city was restructured along religious lines. Muslims relocated to a particular location while the Christians also moved to a preferred area within the city. There were also areas certain categories of residents dared not go.

    Even with the conflict over since 2011, the city still remains polarized. That was why the seniors stepped in. Chairman of the ‘Make Jos Great Again’ forum, Chief Samu’ ila Danko Makama who is a former Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC) in a chat with The Nation in Jos gave an insight into the circumstances that produced the forum.

    He said, “Jos, the Plateau State capital, has witnessed so many crises in the past, between 2001 till recently. We witnessed prolonged insecurity that affected the state social and economic life. The state used to be called home of peace and tourism. But with the prolonged conflicts, the state was facing identity problem to the level that people began to doubt if Plateau is really home of peace and tourism. Jos the state capital was worse hit with the conflict. The citizens were divided, settlement was restructured, there were no go areas depending on your religion, your tribe and your political affiliation. And you know, wherever there is conflict there will be no development, no one can go out for business when you know your life is not secured, farmers cannot go to farm, the cattle breeders cannot move out to feed their cattle, in short the entire economy of such environment will collapse because people were just living in fear of the unknown.

    “So, most of us who were born and brought up in Jos began to put ideas together on how to bring back the lost glory of Jos. When I say some of us, I mean people like retired Col, Lawan Gwadabe, a former military governor of Niger State, Senator Jacob Tilley-Gyado, Aliyu Garba, Engineer Matthew Dogo, Nde Joshua Puka, Christabel Bentu, Lilian Kacholom Rwang, Odessa Chuwang, Prefessor Sylvester, Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, Alhaji Saleh Hassan, Ambassador Musa Ilo, just to mention a few. These are some of the founding members of this forum.

    “We felt that Jos used to be a centre of attraction to people all over the country due largely to the cool weather and its peaceful nature, coupled with the fact that the people are so hospitable. So we began to think on how to revive the lost image of the state. We used to relate socially even though we came from different ethnic origins, but you realise that such mutual love and social life became difficult as a result of the crisis. We began to hear of ‘no go areas’ in Jos, some of us who enjoyed peaceful coexistence in those days could not believe there could be no go areas in Jos, but it is real. You will hear that the Christians no longer relate well with fellow Muslims, the Christian had to relocate to a particular section of the city and the Muslims did same, so one part of the city is predominantly Muslim settlement and the other part is predominantly Christian settlement. Jos city was compartmentalised as a result of the conflicts. We thought this is not good enough for peaceful coexistence, and should we just fold our arms and allow things go that way.

    “However, government, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, religious organisations as well as community leaders have put up so much effort to restore peace in the state. But as leaders and statesmen, we decided to make our own contribution in the ongoing peace building, so as to sustain the prevailing peace across the state. We have formed a social media hash tag known as #makejosgreatagain#, we have established a WhatsApp platform, we have an administrator of this social media page which became a platform for all of us to interact on this project”

    The elder statesmen said though the present administration of Governor Simon Lalong has done so much to restore peace in the state and Jos in particular, there is still a lot to be done to sustain the prevailing peaceful atmosphere.

    Chief Makama said, “There is still a lot to do in peace building, any society that is just coming out of conflict might likely get back to crisis again if certain things are not done properly. We agree peace has been restored, but there could be bottled anger, people are still nursing pains as a result of lost ones, a lot of orphans are on the streets, you don’t know what is on their mind. The restoration of peace alone does not mean all is well, the peace building has to be holistic and this involves all stakeholders. In our own case, we are looking at issues that can bring people together to relate and mingle together without considering ethnic or religious difference, for instance, there are recreational and tourists centres in the state which serve as meeting points to youths and children during festivals, like Jos Museum, Gardens, Resorts, etc. We will try and renovate these centres and make them more attractive to youths.

    “We will begin by embarking on public enlightenment campaigns through the mass media, we have to preach peace, love, coexistence. We need to re-orientate our youths and discourage them from violence. We are going to do capacity building and empower the youths and other categories of citizens. We have plans to set up a micro-finance bank through which we can make credit facilities available for small-scale businesses. By doing so, we would have empowered the people economically and that will boost the entire economy of the state. We will focus on widows, orphans, physically disadvantaged, displaced persons. We shall also embark on renovation of schools for our children to go to school especially the indigent ones in Jos North and Jos South. Then we shall set up a foundation to be known as JOSIAN Foundation. The name is derived from the word Jos, Josians then means, citizens of Jos. With the foundation we shall provide scholarship to indigent children to go to school, some to acquire skills. We shall also try to provide social amenities where one is lacking especially medical services, water.

    “There are so many ways we can contribute our quota to the ongoing peace building, we have short term, medium and long term peace projects. Our overall goal is, never again will Plateau go back to violence again, never will there be bloodshed in Jos, henceforth, peaceful coexistence and mutual love is guaranteed. We must build on the lessons learnt from the conflicts, we have to join hands with other interested parties to make sure the prevailing peace is sustained.”

    The forum, from the structures laid down so far, is going to operate like a non-governmental organisation which is going to operate independent of government.

    Makama said, “We have set up various committees for the purpose of actualising our objectives, there are four committees, one is the finance and general purpose committee headed by Senator Jack Tilley Gyado, the planning and strategy committee headed by Col Lawan Gwadabe (Rtd), the peace committee is headed by Lilian Kacholom, and then the public affairs committee which is by Hon Dasuki Nakande. I, as chairman have inaugurated these committees and they have commenced work.  So the finance committee has submitted a proposal on how to raise funds. The original funds is coming from the founding members through voluntary contributions, it is our own way of giving back to the society. The planning committee is expected to give us the list of projects that requires immediate attention.”

    In spite of the set objectives of this forum, some residents in the state are suspicious of the group. There are fears that since they are not a political group, they are likely to be hijacked by government and be used for selfish political gains especially as the country approaches 2019 general elections.

    To allay this fear, Chief Makama said, “This group is neither political nor religious nor ethnic. Our membership cuts across all political divides. For instance, a former state chairman of PDP Raymond Dabo is a member, I am from APC, and all our members belong to various political parties, so this has already made it difficult to any government to hijack.”

    The chairman appealed to citizens of the state to key into the peace ideology of the forum so as to collectively restore the past glory of the state. The forum is also open to all citizens to join as members or contribute willingly to help actualise our projects.

  • Tourism an economic booster, says Osun lawmaker

    Tourism an economic booster, says Osun lawmaker

    A member of Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, representing Obokun State Constituency, has called on government at all levels to invest in tourism and culture to boost the economy and job creation.

    He made the call during the  Obokun Festival in Ibokun area of the state.The lawmaker noted that if proper attention was paid to tourism and culture, it would not only serve as alternative source of income, but also reinforce the fight against social vices.

    Oyintiloye, who is the House Committee Chairman on Information and Strategy, said the government’s investment in tourism and culture would result in job creation, such as  tour guide, horticulture, food services, entertainment industry, craft and arts productions and waste recycling.

    “It is now the prerogative of the government and Nigerians to tap into  these opportunities in the tourism sector”, the lawmaker said.

    Oyintiloye, who described‘ Ibokun festival‘, as a unique culture event, called on the state government to focus attention on it to serve as a source of revenue.

    The lawmaker,who noted that Obokun cultural value and tourism potential were enormous, called all stakeholders, including sons and daughters of Ibokun at home and in the Diaspora to contribute their quota towards its development.

    Oyintiloye, however, commended the state government for developing tourism master plan, which he said had a robust and globaloutlook.

    In her remarks, the Special Adviser to Govervor Rauf Aregbesola on Tourism, MrTaiwo Oluga, said the government was making frantic effort to make the festival a national as well as international festival.

    Oluga said the government was passionate about sustainable tourism development towards job and wealth creation.

    The Oba Ibokun of Ibokun, Oba Festus Awogboro, urged the government to encourage the Obokun festival and other  festivals  in the state, adding that  they are sources of revenue generation for it.

    The  Obokun festival is one of the traditional festivals being celebrated among the Yoruba people, but peculiar to the people of Ibokun. It is believed that among the people of the ancient town that the celebration was in remembrance of its founding father,

    Obokun, ‘who was considered a brave warrior and a hero having fought a war and liberated the town from externalforces. The festive period was also considered a period of appeasement to the goddess.

  • Jubilee Chalet boosts tourism in Epe

    Jubilee Chalet boosts tourism in Epe

    The old Government VIP chalet neglected for years has been transformed into a cozy resort by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to boost tourism in Epe, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) Ozolua Uhakheme

    The old neglected Government VIP Chalet, Epe, built by the Alhaji Lateef Jakande administration in Lagos State has been transformed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration into a modern tourist destination offering unique experience for relaxation, meetings and events, among other leisure  activities.

    Last Thursday, the newly reconstructed facility, Jubilee Chalet, now a cozy resort built in a serene lagoon view and secured environment was inaugurated by Ambode.

    The event was witnessed by top notch guests, including party leaders, members of the House of Assembly, members of the diplomatic corp and other stakeholders in the hospitality industry.

    Located in the heart of the community, the Jubilee Chalet presents a perfect blend of comfort and relaxation in a natural habitat operated on international best practices.

    The facility, built by the state government has a 72-room capacity with four executive suites, an ultra-modern conference hall, a large meeting room that can sit more than 100 guests as well as a modern restaurant.

    It also boasts of a standard swimming pool, tennis court, football field, gymnasium, a bar and a party area.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the facility, Ambode said his administration thought it wise to expand the old Government VIP Chalet built by the Jakande administration, in line with its objective to strategically reposition the town to take maximum advantage of the economic benefits from the huge investment activities in and around the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

    He said beyond Jubilee Chalet, his administration was taking deliberate actions to promote tourism, leisure and recreation, including the construction and upgrading of road projects in Epe, adding that ongoing Epe Marina project would soon wear a new look.

    “As we are changing the face of Epe, we are doing the same thing in Badagry in a twin-pronged approach to promote tourism in the State. The Government VIP Chalets in Badagry is currently being rehabilitated and will be inaugurated early next year. Work is also going on at the Badagry Marina to prepare it for the investors and tourists that the Badagry Deep Sea port will attract,” the Governor said.

    Ambode also said aside enhancing the tourism potential of the Epe axis, the facility would provide employment opportunities for different categories of individuals and companies, boost economic activities in the community, as well as generate additional revenue into the state’s coffers.

    “The Jubilee Chalet and Epe town are ready for you. This facility is not only for tourists but also for corporate institutions looking for a serene location for their retreats and all Nigerians looking for vacation spots within the country. I assure you all that this facility will deliver services that will surpass your expectations and someday be ranked among the best hospitality properties in Africa,” he said.

    To ensure the smooth running and maintenance of the facility, the Governor said the facility would be managed by MP Hotels, an internationally acclaimed firm in the hospitality industry that will be charged to deliver world-class services and create wealth for the state and all stakeholders.

    MP Hotels Managing Director Bruce Prins said the concept behind the establishment of the Chalets was far-reaching and the benefits could not be over-emphasized.

    “I think it is a very good thing that the government is investing first of all in hospitality industry and infrastructure development for its people because building is something that creates job opportunities and it contributes to the economy, especially to Epe as a town because contrary to popular believe, Epe is larger than people think it is but yet it has the rural distinctiveness that makes it very nice for relaxing,” Prins said.

    For Prins, the beautiful view of the lagoon also adds to the aesthetics of the facility and gives guests the opportunity to savour the aquatic splendour that abounds in Epe.

    “As a result, the Chalet can attract both leisure by individual people who wants to get away from the busy life at the city or it can also attract companies who want to do small retreat. We basically categorise this Chalet as a mid-level or mid-scale hotel and with that, it is more affordable for majority of companies and individual people. It has elements of luxury but is affordable,” he said.

    Prins is also confident that the mere fact that the facility is located close to the waterfront with the amazing view would be a major selling point and a point for consideration by guests who would crave for more than just a roof over their head.

    In his words: “The facility is very serene and it is unlike living on the island which is very noisy and very hectic. Here is relatively calm and once the waterfront project ongoing is completed, the waterfront visitors will also like to come here.

    “Epe is outside of Lagos and it’s a quiet place. So, what we are selling is the experience that people will have with us when they visit us at Jubilee Chalet, Epe. It’s a serene environment with natural features.”

    Aside the facilities at the Chalet, there is also a water fountain, good road network and expansive packing areas within the premises of the Chalets, while effective security arrangement has also been made to guarantee safety of guests.

    The Jubilee Chalet, Epe, according to the state government is just one out of several models to be built across the state as it intends to build such facilities in other locations.

    With the Jubilee Chalet now open for business, visitors and tourists alike now have a viable alternative for a one-stop relaxation centre that would provide a luxury treat, home away from home and a unique experience in a natural habitat.

    Interestingly, Epe, an ancient town located within the Lagos East Senatorial District is endowed with rich history and huge economic and tourism potentials dating back to the colonial era in Nigeria.

    Part of its rich history is the fact that it houses a host of historic landmarks, including the first ever post-office in Nigeria, the second oldest sea port in Nigeria, the second police station in the country, the first comprehensive college in Lagos state, among others.

    Epe over the years has also maintained its natural endowment. However, the full potentials of the coastal community had in the past decade remained untapped and largely unexploited.

    But in the last two years, the once sleepy town is buzzing and bubbling again. Since Governor AkinwunmiAmbode assumed office on May 29, 2015, Epe, like many  communities in the state, has benefited from the development strides of the government.

    From road rehabilitation and construction to upgrade of healthcare facilities as well as the Light Up Lagos initiative, Epe is fast becoming the new construction site.There is also the ongoing massive Lagoon reclamation under the Epe Marina project, which is fashioned after the Dubai Marina, and the primary goal is to facilitate the development of the area and give a quantum leap to the tourism potential of the state.

    But Ambode, who hails from Epe, tells anyone who cares to listen that the infrastructural renewal drive  ongoing in Epe has only  started. With the series of ongoing projects, Epe is fast emerging as the new haven for investors and tourists alike.

    With its proximity to Lekki, where the Free Trade Zone housing the ongoing Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Projects, the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Lekki International Airport, among other multifaceted projects, the corridor is set to welcome thousands of visitors for business and pleasure and on the long run, portends greater prosperity for Epe residents and its environs.

  • NTDC develops roadmap to boost domestic tourism

    The Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has developed a roadmap to promote tourism assets.

    A unique brand logo will be used as a marketing tool.

    Speaking with reporters in Abuja at the weekend,the Director-General of the NTDC, Mr Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, said: “The brand is an ambitious attempt at promoting tourism in Nigeria that aims to shape the narrative on Nigeria as a major destination for tourism, hospitality, arts and entertainment in Africa.”

    He said the roadmap would showcase the vibrant and friendly energy of Nigerians through different creative expressions,leverage on the abundant soft power to celebrate Nigeria’s heritage and promote the natural and cultural tourism assets, destinations and people.

    According to Coker, the “Tour Nigeria” brand was conceived to drive domestic consumption of Nigeria’s tourism products, create new tourism markets, add to the nation’s GDP, create employment, and increase spending in the economy.

    “We are proudly the most populous black nation on Earth,home to the second largest film industry on the globe whilst also being the fashon, technological and creative hub in Africa,” he said

    To drive the initiative, a strategic five-point action plan with the acronym CHIEF was concieved. CHIEF represents Corporate Governance & Regulations; Human Capital Development; Infrastructural Development; Events and Marketing; and Finance & Investment.

    He said the key components to tourism such as travel,accommodation, hospitality and entertainment would be explored with airlines,hotels, car hire services, tour operators and others to bring out affordable package tours to encourage Nigerians to tour Nigeria.

  • UNCTAD report scores Nigeria low in tourism

    Tourism performed poorly in Nigeria compared to other African countries in 2015. This is based on a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released last Wednesday.

    The report shows that overall there is a steady increase in number in intra-continental travel among Africans, with travel among Africans accounting for about 60 per cent of the tourists traffic in Africa.

    Nigeria was among the countries that did poorly with the tourist arrival of 1.2m tourists. This is poor compared to countries like South Africa with about 9 million visitors for the period under review.

    Based on the report, four out of 10 international tourist arrivals in Africa come from Africa. In the report titled  ‘Economic Development in Africa Report in 2017: Tourism for Transformation and Inclusive Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa’, this number increases to two out of every three tourists whose travels originate on the continent.

    Data backing this finding  show that contrary to perception, Africans themselves are increasingly driving tourism demand in Africa.

    The report says: “Tourisam in Africa is a flourishing industry that supports more than 21 million jobs or 1 in 14 jobs on the continent. Over the last two decades, Africa has recorded robust growth, with international tourist arrivals and tourism revenue growing at six per cent and 9 per cent respectively  each year between 1995 and 2014.”

    The report encourages African countries to harness the dynamism of tourism sector.

    In order to improve on this figures, the report says : “To realize the potential of intra-regional tourism for the continent’s economic growth, African governments should take steps to liberalize air transport, promote the free movement of persons, ensure currency convertibility and crucially, recognize the value of African tourism and plan for it.

    “ These strategic measures can have relatively fast tangible impacts. In Rwanda, the abolition of visa requirements for fellow members of the East African Community in 2011 helped increase intra-regional tourists from 282,000 in 2010 to 478,000 in 2013”.

    Another important theme highlighted in the report was the mutually beneficial relationship between peace and tourism. The mere appearance of instability in a region can deter tourists, leading to devastating, long –lasting economic  consequences. However, the perception of danger does not always correspond to reality.

    At the unveiling  of the report, Professor Ifeanyi Nwokoma of the Department of Economics, University of Lagos, noted that part of the reasons Nigeria performed poorly compared to other countries was that the nation so much relies on oil revenue, while neglecting other important sectors like tourism that add so much to the economy of the country.

    Making a remark during the launch, the  Director, United Nations Information Office said in Nigeria, promoting tourism was consistent with the efforts of the government to diversify the economy.

    He said further: “The report shows that West Africa ranks very low as a tourist destination with just about five million visitors in 2015 compared to 10 million who visited Eastern Africa.

    “Nigeria still ranked low with mere 1.2 million visitors in 2015 compared to nine million for South Africa and 10 million for Morocco in the same year. There is, therefore, a lot of untapped opportunities in the tourism industry in Nigeria”.

    The President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Nike Akande Akande commended UNCTAD for the report and said the LCCI was  committed to sensitizing the business community on the opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sector.

  • 10 days in Sun City premiered, released in Lagos

    10 days in Sun City premiered, released in Lagos

    The most anticipated movie of the year, 10 days in Sun City has been premiered.

    The movie shot in Sun City, Northern West Province of South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria was premiered on Saturday 17th June 2017 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos and was released in Nigerian on Friday June 23rd.

    In the movie, Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, featured a journey to the beautiful Sun City in South Africa with fellow cast– Richard Mofe Damijo, Adesua Etomi, Gbenro Ajibade, Mercy Johnson Okojie, Falz, 2face Idibia, Alibaba, Alex Ekubo, Yvonne Jegede, Annie Idibia, Uti Nwachukwu, Fathia Balogun among others.

    Aside the A-list Nigerian cast, the hilarious star-studded comedy movie also featured Miguel Nunez Jr. a Hollywood actor and an equally hilarious South African cast consisting, Amanda Du Pont, comedian Thenjiwe Moseley, Celeste Ntuli and lots more.

    10 days in Sun City was directed by award-winning South African-based Nigerian Director Adze Ugah, written by award-winning writer-director Kehinde Ogunlola and produced by Ayo Makun, Darlington Abuda and Kirsty Galliard.

    One of the outstanding scenes from the movie was the Elephant Sanctuary scene which featured the stars having an interactive elephant experience.

    Other breath-taking scenes in the movie are; Hartebeespoort Dam,locally known as Harties. It is  famous for its sunset cruises as it is for the Lesedi Cultural village, which showcases the fascinating cultures and tradition of the people of South Africa. The scenes in Johannesburg showcased the famous Sandton City and the world renowned Nelson Mandela Square.

    South African tourism in a statement  by  it regional manager in West Africa, Mr Hloni Pitso expressed delight to have partnered with AY on the production of the movie adding that it served as an avenue to showcase South Africa as a holiday and business destination as well as encouraging inter-Africa travel.

    The statement reads in part: “We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr Ayo Makun on what promises to be yet another blockbuster production. AY is a passionate, determined, dedicated and hardworking individual. This time last year on one of South African Tourism’s influencer hosting trips AY saw opportunities as he travelled throughout South Africa. He did not hesitate to seize the opportunity when he decided that this had to be a location for his next movie. A year later, we are here in Lagos for the movie premiere to watch the much anticipated movie “10 Days in Sun City”.

     “We saw this partnership as an opportunity not only to showcase South Africa as a holiday and business destination but also as a platform to encourage inter-Africa travel. It is important for Africans to explore their own land and discover its people. It is through travel and tourism that we can learn about each other’s historical and cultural heritages. Tourism, entertainment, arts and culture are the key sectors that have the potential to unify this continent through people to people relations for the better advancement of Africa. We are seeing this more and more lately through music collaborations, comedy and now movies. I trust we will see more of such partnerships and collaborations.  Africa united, only greater things can come.”

  • Lagos to explore tourism through biodiversity

    The Lagos State Government plans to explore tourism through biodiversity, Commissioner for the Environment Dr, Samuel Babatunde Adejare, has said.

    He spoke during this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity, held at Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The Commissioner, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, stressed that the government’s commitment to sustainable management of its biodiversity is unwavering.

    He said this is demonstrated through various laudable plans and programmes such as  the 10-year framework of programmes for sustainable consumption and production patterns, and the deliberate exposure of students to wetlands, zoological gardens and conservation areas in the state.

    This is through the introduction of Ecotourism programme and the annual Tree Planting Day through which over seven million trees of various species have been planted across the state to enrich its biodiversity.

    He further said that Lagos State is set to explore the linkage between tourism and biological diversity by preserving in their pristine state two major wetlands, which are Yaafin Wetland, Badagry and Itoikin Wetland, Epe.

    According to him, these preserved wetlands are expected to serve as tourist centres in the nearest future.

    “It is significant to note that a well-managed tourist sector can contribute significantly to reducing threats to the ecosystem, while maintaining/increasing key wildlife populations and biodiversity values through tourism revenue” Adejare said.

    He, however, cautioned that the environment must not be destroyed for development and survival, adding that biodiversity should be preserved because of its wildlife and natural attributes, which would attract people to the location.

    “Today as we join the rest of the world in marking this day, I urge us all (government, private sector, academia, religious and cultural institutions, old, young, everyone) to head the clarion call by resolving individually and collectively to work for the protection of the environment through biological resource conservation,” the Commissioner said.

  • Tourism: Nigeria’s untapped gold mine

    Tourism: Nigeria’s untapped gold mine

    Despite boasting tourism destinations that could make other countries envious, Nigeria has yet to develop the industry to drive diversification, boost revenue and create jobs. But a strategic rethink on making tourism the economy’s mainstay has taken the centre-stage. Those behind the initiative are seeking stakeholders, the Federal Government’s support to make it work. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports.

    Nigeria is literally sitting on tourism and hospitality gold mine. According to Nigeria Hospitality Report 2016, the industry generated an estimated $5.5 million, about N1.7 billion, representing about 4.8 per cent contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2016. The report by Jumia Travel Nigeria, Africa’s hotel booking online portal, also said the industry employed about 1.6 per cent of Nigerians in 2016.

    Although Jumia’s Country Manager Mr. Kushal Dutta predicted that the industry’s contribution to the GDP will fall by 7.3 per cent this year, if security challenges persist, he projected that tourism will overtake the downstream oil and gas sector by 2021, if Nigeria adopts the recently-launched African Union (AU) passport. According to him, a unified, pan-African passport will allow free movement of domestic tourists in Nigeria.

    The AU had last year unveiled a common electronic passport that will grant holders visa-free access to all its 54-member countries.. The initiative represented the first step towards increasing mobility for Africans on the continent as well as boosting trade and opportunities for economic growth. The e-passport is expected to be distributed by 2018, with Dutta and other experts expressing optimism that it will boost Nigeria’s tourism.

    But the anticipated boost in tourism, which the proposed AU passport is expected to engender, is not the only indication that the industry’s future is bright. Industry operators and stakeholders also believe that Nigeria boasts viable tourism destinations with potential to turn around the fortunes of an economy severely bruised by recession, if the required infrastructure and appropriate investments are put in place.

    From east to west, north to south, Nigeria is naturally endowed with rich tourist destinations waiting to be fully exploited and harnessed. For instance, while the south west boasts breathtaking sites, such as the Ikogosi Warm Spring in Ekiti State, Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Ogun State; Osun Osogbo Groove in Osun State, and Idanre Hills in Oyo State, the southsouth prides itself with the Obudu Cattle Ranch and Tinapa Resort, both in Cross River State.

    From the north comes the enchanting Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State, Mambila Plateau in Plateau State, and the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa State, among others. The southeast, on the other hand, has the Ogbunike Cave in Anambra State, Oguta Late in Imo State, National War Museum, Umuahia, Abia State.

    Festivals that can draw tourists from far and near also abound. Some of them include the Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi State, Osun Osogbo Festival, Abuja Carnival, Calabar Christmas Carnival, Cross Rivers State Carnival, Eyo Festival, Igue Festival, Ojude Oba Festival, Badagry Festival, and Durba Festival. There is hardly any state in Nigeria without a festival of international standard.

    Unfortunately, most, if not all of these tourist attractions, have yet to be fully developed by successive governments. Issues around lack of supportive infrastructure and investments in each of the tourist sites, insecurity, policy inconsistency, and lack of political will to articulate a clear policy roadmap that will reposition the tourism industry have combined to frustrate efforts at leveraging on a vibrant tourism industry to grow the economy.

    New dawn on the horizon

    Hitherto neglected, the tourism industry looks good to bounce back. Encouraged by the avalanche of tourist sites across the country with potential to make tourism a major revenue earner and also create jobs, the Federal Government has taken a number of steps aimed at repositioning the sector to become the economy’s mainstay.

    Some of the recent initiatives and steps include the recent tripartite partnership involving the Ministry of Information and Culture, the United Nation (UN) World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and global news leader CNN, resuscitation of the Presidential Council on Tourism, and relaxation of Nigeria’s rigid visa regime.

    Others are the setting up of a Committee to implement the Tourism Roadmap and the putting in place of a Task Force on creative economy. The Federal Government has also designed a festival calendar for the country to stimulate internal tourism and attract foreign tourists, among other steps.

    The overall objective, The Nation learnt, was to position tourism as the major driver of the ongoing economic diversification agenda aimed at weaning the economy from its over-dependence on proceeds from the oil and gas sector. This was in the wake of the crisis that hit the economy, forcing it into recession, following the crash in oil prices at the international market.

    Already, the ministry’s tripartite partnership with UNWTO and CNN may have raised hopes of industry operators and stakeholders that a rebound of the tourism industry is in the offing. Essentially, the plan, according to Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed was to ride on the back of Nigeria’s comparative advantage in film production through Nollywood to promote tourism.

    The Minister made this known at the Nigerian Tour Operators (NATOP) Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, early this month. At the AGM with the theme, ‘Positioning tourism within the Nigerian economic space’, he noted that the tripartite partnership was the first of its kind in Nigeria. He said it would go a long way in pushing tourism from the back-burner to the mainstream of the economy.

    Some experts and operators, who spoke with The Nation, noted that an arrangement involving Nollywood, as Nigeria’s film industry is called, could be the tonic to turn around the fortunes of the tourism industry. With the film industry worth about $5 billion, about N1.523 trillion, yearly, they believe that a synergy between government and private sector stakeholders in the film industry will augur well for tourism.

    For instance, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Filmhouse Cinemas, Mr. Kene Mkparu, told The Nation that with Nigeria’s film industry generating a whopping N1.523 trillion yearly, there was the need forthe government, industry operators (film makers) and the private sector to work together.

    Such collaboration, he said, was necessary to fight the over 90 per cent piracy penetration in the film industry. “Nigeria’s over 90 per cent piracy penetration is detrimental to the film industry,” Mkparu said, blaming the country’s high piracy rate on inadequate formal distribution outlets like cinemas or video shops.

    While reiterating that tourism has become a focal point for the government, the Minister added that the Committee on the Presidential Council on Tourism has been resuscitated to engender the sector’s rapid development through policy directions. According to him, The Committee will see to the implementation of the tourism roadmap and the festival calendar.

    Nigeria’s Tourism Master Plan was inaugurated in 2008 with UNWTO’s help and Tourism Development International as consultants. It was aimed at launching the sector as a viable economic alternative to oil, as well as marketing Nigeria’s tourism assets both at the local and international levels. Nine years down the line, the master plan, which would have set the tone for a holistic development of the sector, remained in limbo.

    However, with the harsh realities of the recession caused by crashing oil prices steering Nigeria in the face, the government was left with no option than to revive the tourism plan. This was after the International Tourism Adviser of the UNWTO, Mr. Jim Flanner, visited Nigeria.

    Flanner and his team were in the country to assist in the review of Nigeria’s Tourism Master Plan. He said he was in Nigeria to assist the Technical Committee set up by the Minister to review the document and identify those areas that can be implemented within the shortest time possible.

    According to Flannery, there is a renewed interest in tourism even among the big economies like the United States, because it’s assuming prominence in the global economy due to its vitality and inexhaustible nature.

    “Tourism worldwide is becoming recognized more and more as one of the great economic activities that is of major benefit to countries. Why is it of benefit?  Because tourism unlike manufacturing industry can go into the regions and in fact, it does go into communities and you don’t need major structured investment for tourism to be successful,” he said.

    The UNWTO official observed that the Tourism Master Plan could not be implemented nine years ago because of the sheer volume of activities that previous governments wanted to undertake at once, but lauded the new approach where salient areas can be identified for immediate implementation.

    For Mohammed, Flannery’s visit had kick-started the process of actualizing the six-point agreement reached between Nigeria and the UNWTO during his (Muhammed’s) visit to UNWTO’s headquarters in Madrid, Spain, in July last year.

    He said apart from reviewing the Tourism Master Plan, government has also moved to relax the rigid visa regime that has been discouraging tourists from coming into the country. With the review of the nation’s policies on issuance of visas, it now takes 48 hours to issue visas to foreign tourists interested in exploring Nigeria’s tourism sites.

    Also, the government has designed a festival calendar for the country. The aim was to stimulate domestic tourism and attract foreign tourists. The move was in line with Cross River State former Governor Dr. Liyel Imoke, who canvassed more focus on domestic tourism as a strategy to develop external tourism.

    Imoke, who spoke at the NATOP AGM, however, canvassed the harmonisation of festivals in the country to stimulate patronage and reduce confusion associated with simultaneous holding of festivals. The former governor and indeed, other experts believe that duplicity of festivals was stalling tourism’s growth.

    For instance, following the successful launch and continuity of the Calabar International Festival, similar carnivals/festivals have sprung up in some states across the country, causing confusion in the process. Some of them include the Abuja Carnival, Port Harcourt Carnival (Carniriv), and Akwa Ibom Festival, among others.

    Beyond the need to harmonise these festivals to reduce confusion and stimulate patronage, Imoke was optimistic that with the right policy, vision, infrastructure and attitude, the country could transform tourism into a major revenue earner, if Nigerians could stop the misrepresentation of the country to the outside world.

    Hear him: “The greatest problem facing the development of tourism in the country is Nigerians running Nigeria down, especially some of our people abroad. This is not good for our tourism, as foreigners will have wrong perceptions about us. We need to believe in the country for our tourism to grow. We need to speak well of the country everywhere we go….”

    The Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mr. Folarin Coker, is no less optimistic over the prospects of tourism emerging the new driver of economic development and growth. He said the agency was partnering with stakeholders to promote domestic tourism while developing the right template to attract foreign tourists.

    Will these initiatives and interventions salvage the tourism industry? The consensus is that the success or otherwise will depend on how far government musters the political will to make the environment conducive through the provision of infrastructure to attract investments

  • Expert urges govts on tourism

    A tourism expert, Mr Samuel Alabi, has advised state governments to develop their tourism products, to attract more local and international tourists.

    He told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that governments should identify their tourism products and package them well for the consumptions of local and foreign tourists.

    Alabi, a former president of Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), said for tourism to develop, it had to be done from the local to state level.

    “Nigeria is too large for the Federal Government only to develop tourism.

    “It has to do with collective efforts with state governments to harness the potential in the industry from the grassroots, “ he said.

    Alabi said Nigeria’s situation was not different from other countries’, but the problem of Nigeria was lack of priority.