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Tag: World Tourism Day

  • Xtralarge farms, Ogun, to redefine tourism with World Tourism Day

    Xtralarge farms, Ogun, to redefine tourism with World Tourism Day

    For the first time in its history, World Tourism Day will be celebrated on a farm, with more than 2,000 participants expected at Xtralarge Farms & Resorts, Ota-Idiroko, Ogun State, on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

    The event, organised in partnership with the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Association of Tourism Practitioners, and Eko Tourism Foundation, will highlight the link between tourism and agriculture.

    Activities lined up include farm stays, excursions, food and cultural festivals, networking sessions, and empowerment opportunities targeted at farmers, students, rural communities, professionals, and youths.

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    Speaking on the significance of the initiative, during a media engagement with pressmen in Lagos, the Managing Director of Xtralarge Farms & Resorts, Dr. Moji Davids, said the 2025 edition would “change the narrative about tourism by positioning farms as destinations and redefining tourism through agriculture.”

    According to Dr Davids, the gathering will draw government officials, industry leaders, philanthropists, traditional rulers, and key stakeholders across sectors to explore sustainable opportunities that connect tourism with food security, rural development, and cultural heritage.

    World Tourism Day is commemorated annually on September 27 under the auspices of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to foster awareness of tourism’s social, cultural, political, and economic value.

  • Igede-Ekiti to host 2025 World Tourism Day

    Igede-Ekiti to host 2025 World Tourism Day

    Ekiti State has announced Igede-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government as hosts for 2025 World Tourism Day (WTD) celebration on Sunday.

    This was contained in a letter signed by Director-General of Bureau of Tourism Development, Wale Ojo-Lanre, to Onigede of Igede-Ekiti, Oba James Adelusi Aladesuru II.

    Ojo-Lanre said its choice was in recognition of the town’s rich cultural heritage, historical significance, and ecological value, particularly as home of the source of Osun River.

    He noted that the decision to host the celebration in Igede-Ekiti aligns with the global cultural relevance of the community and monarch’s role as custodian of one of Nigeria’s most treasured heritage sites.

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    He said the event is an opportunity to showcase the cultural wealth of Igede-Ekiti, attract local and international participants, and drive socio-economic growth and youth empowerment.

    The director general noted that the theme for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)-backed event is: “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.”

    He promised that the bureau would  work with the Onigede, community leaders, and stakeholders to coordinate activities and logistics for a befitting and memorable commemoration.

    While seeking the monarch’s blessings, cooperation, and the support of Igede, Ojo-Lanre pledged government’s commitment to uphold the cultural dignity of the host community.

  • The world to mark Tourism Day Lagos unveils master plan

    NIGERIA will  join the world on Thursday, September 27 to celebrate the World Tourism Day (WTD).  The WTD is a day set aside by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to focus on tourism and its impact on the world.

    In Nigeria, many states have lined up activities to mark the day. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is expected to organize activities to mark the day.

    In  Lagos State, the Ministry Tourism, Arts and Culture is expected to unveil the ambitious Lagos State Tourism Master-plan on that day.

    Speaking on the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day, the Preisdent of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Alhaji Karim Rabo, said the theme for this year’s WTD is timely. He said: “I think the theme is coming at the right time. In the world today, technology has taken over and tourism has to key into it to make progress.

    “Technology directs everything we do and if you are not compliant technologically, you cannot function effectively in the travel industry. So, there is the need to for stakeholders in the tourism industry to key into it and embrace technological solutions for travel. Nigeria is part of the global village and we must not be left behind.”

    Asked whether Nigeria is at par with the rest of the in the use of technology for travel business, Rabo said: “We are not yet there, but we are making progress. If we don’t key in fully, we will be left behind.”

    Meanwhile, the UNWTO, in its statement on the World Tourism Day, said the importance of digital technologies in tourism, providing opportunities for innovation and preparing the sector for the future of work, is at the centre of World Tourism Day 2018 to be celebrated in Budapest, Hungary  on September 27.

    It said this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD) will help to put the opportunities provided to tourism, by technological advances including big data, artificial intelligence and digital platforms, on the map of sustainable development. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) sees digital advances and innovation as part of the solution to the challenge of marrying continued growth with a more sustainable and responsible tourism sector.

    “Harnessing innovation and digital advances provide tourism with opportunities to improve inclusiveness, local community empowerment and efficient resource management, amongst other objectives within the wider sustainable development agenda”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

    The WTD official celebration will be held in Budapest, Hungary, a country enjoying steady growth of tourism backed by consistent policy support and a commitment to the digital future. Other celebrations will take place worldwide.

    The official celebration will also see the announcement of the semi-finalists of the 1st UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition, launched by UNWTO and Globalia to give visibility to startups with innovative ideas capable of revolutionizing the way we travel and enjoy tourism.

    Also speaking on the the 2018 WTD, former permanent secretary, Lagos State ministry of tourism, Mr. Ashamu Fadipe, said  the impact of  digital technology in travel and tourism  is worth celebrating. He said: “Nobody can book for an airline today without digital technology. As a result of that, it has become relevant and it is important to celebrate it.  Digital technology has had a very crucial impact in travel and tourism industry and it has been part of the industry for decade, so it should be celebrated.

    “Also by celebrating digital technology in this year’s world tourism day, we  create the necessary awareness about digital technology that has had tremendous impact on the industry. If we go to the more advanced country, it is not just the airlines that use digital technology.

    “Booking for train journey is done using digital technology, booking for tour packages is also done through digital technology. I think it is a welcome development that the UNWTO is using this year’s WTD to focus on this aspect of travel and tourism. A new World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) report aims to help manage growing urban tourism flows and their impact on cities and residents titled  ‘Overtourism’? Understanding and managing urban tourism growth beyond perceptions’, was launched during the 7th UNWTO Global Summit on Urban Tourism, in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

    The report examines how to manage tourism in urban destinations for the benefit of visitors and residents alike. It proposes eleven strategies and 68 measures to help understand and manage visitor growth. The report is the result of collaboration between UNWTO, the Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality (CELTH), Breda University of Applied Sciences and the European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI) of NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences.

    The recent growth of urban tourism requires the sector to ensure sustainable policies and practices that minimize adverse effects of tourism on the use of natural resources, infrastructure, mobility and congestion, as well as its socio-cultural impact. Increased reports of negative attitudes among local populations towards visitors, due to perceived overcrowding, noise and other issues, have led to the spread of terms such as ‘overtourism’ and ‘tourismphobia’ in the media.

    “Governance is key. Addressing the challenges facing urban tourism today is a much more complex issue than is commonly recognized. We need to set a sustainable roadmap for urban tourism and place tourism in the wider urban agenda,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “We must also ensure local communities see and benefit from the positive aspects of tourism”, he added.

    To better understand visitor management challenges in urban contexts, particularly the relationship between residents and visitors, the report includes an analysis of residents’ perceptions towards tourism in eight European cities – Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Munich, Salzburg and Tallinn.

    “There is no one-size-fits-all solution to deal with overtourism. Instead tourism needs to be part of a city-wide strategy for sustainable development”, Dr. Ko Koens of the Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality (CELTH) and Breda University of Applied Sciences concludes. The report recommends a common strategic vision among all stakeholders involved, bringing residents and visitors together and adopting careful planning which respects the limits of capacity of each destination.

    “The involvement and support of local residents are key in achieving sustainable tourism”, Professor Albert Postma of CELTH and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences explains.

  • The world to mark Tourism Day

    Lagos unveils master plan

    Nigeria will  join the world on Thursday, September 27 to celebrate the World Tourism Day (WTD).  The WTD is a day set aside by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to focus on tourism and its impact on the world.

    In Nigeria, many states have lined up activities to mark the day. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is expected to organize activities to mark the day.

    In  Lagos State, the Ministry Tourism, Arts and Culture is expected to unveil the ambitious Lagos State Tourism Master-plan on that day.

    Speaking on the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day, the Preisdent of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Alhaji Karim Rabo, said the theme for this year’s WTD is timely. He said: “I think the theme is coming at the right time. In the world today, technology has taken over and tourism has to key into it to make progress.

    “Technology directs everything we do and if you are not compliant technologically, you cannot function effectively in the travel industry. So, there is the need to for stakeholders in the tourism industry to key into it and embrace technological solutions for travel. Nigeria is part of the global village and we must not be left behind.”

    Asked whether Nigeria is at par with the rest of the in the use of technology for travel business, Rabo said: “We are not yet there, but we are making progress. If we don’t key in fully, we will be left behind.”

    Meanwhile, the UNWTO, in its statement on the World Tourism Day, said the importance of digital technologies in tourism, providing opportunities for innovation and preparing the sector for the future of work, is at the centre of World Tourism Day 2018 to be celebrated in Budapest, Hungary  on September 27.

    It said this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD) will help to put the opportunities provided to tourism, by technological advances including big data, artificial intelligence and digital platforms, on the map of sustainable development. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) sees digital advances and innovation as part of the solution to the challenge of marrying continued growth with a more sustainable and responsible tourism sector.

    “Harnessing innovation and digital advances provide tourism with opportunities to improve inclusiveness, local community empowerment and efficient resource management, amongst other objectives within the wider sustainable development agenda”, said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

    The WTD official celebration will be held in Budapest, Hungary, a country enjoying steady growth of tourism backed by consistent policy support and a commitment to the digital future. Other celebrations will take place worldwide.

    The official celebration will also see the announcement of the semi-finalists of the 1st UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition, launched by UNWTO and Globalia to give visibility to startups with innovative ideas capable of revolutionizing the way we travel and enjoy tourism.

    Also speaking on the the 2018 WTD, former permanent secretary, Lagos State ministry of tourism, Mr. Ashamu Fadipe, said  the impact of  digital technology in travel and tourism  is worth celebrating. He said: “Nobody can book for an airline today without digital technology. As a result of that, it has become relevant and it is important to celebrate it.  Digital technology has had a very crucial impact in travel and tourism industry and it has been part of the industry for decade, so it should be celebrated.

    “Also by celebrating digital technology in this year’s world tourism day, we  create the necessary awareness about digital technology that has had tremendous impact on the industry. If we go to the more advanced country, it is not just the airlines that use digital technology.

    “Booking for train journey is done using digital technology, booking for tour packages is also done through digital technology. I think it is a welcome development that the UNWTO is using this year’s WTD to focus on this aspect of travel and tourism.

  • Beer festival enlivens Lagos on World Tourism Day

    Lagos was not left out in the activities commemorating the 2017 World Tourism Day. The city came alive with a rich display of beer at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Beer Festival.

    There were various beer from different companies. Many had their products available for exhibition and tasting. The festival provided a fitting ambience to showcase fashion, lifestyle and culture in a festive atmosphere with various beer brands in Nigeria connecting with existing and potential consumers.

    Consumers grabbed the opportunity to sample and enjoy the variety of brands from the brewers’ portfolio. These participating beer brands included Heineken, Star, Goldberg, Gulder, 33 Export and others were readily available to the delight of the crowd.

    At the event, Nigerian Breweries, which is the foremost brewer in Nigeria, revved up the atmosphere as its leading brands became the toast of the teeming crowd who thronged the Atlantic Water Front, venue of the festival.

    Nigerian Breweries Corporate Affairs Adviser Kufre Ekanem explained that as the  foremost brewer, the company was committed to ensuring that the Nigeria Beer Festival was rich with various beer brands that would connect with diverse consumers in a unifying and responsible manner. “Our company’s involvement in the Beer Festival is to reinforce the culture of beer as a social lubricant, which brings people from diverse backgrounds to unite in enjoyment through responsible drinking,” he said.

    Organisers of the event have also noted that the festival is indeed a carnival of entertainment, sales, tourism and a gathering of the largest community of beer consumers from across the country. They added that it presents economic value for brands and the nation’s economy.

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is expected to close the festival with an Independence Day Mega Concert that will parade an array of A-list Nigerian artistes, which will feature eye-popping fireworks display.

    The   Nigeria Beer Festival promotes responsible drinking among consumers aged 18+ at all its touch points.

  • Kogi marks World Tourism Day

    Kogi State has staged a very colourful parade around the state capital, Lokoja, to mark this year’s World Tourism Day.

    The parade which showcased the tourism potentials of the confluence state, witnessed motorised caravans, various cultural troupes, artists, showbiz personalities, top government officials and enthusiastic residents, all colourfully attired and exhibiting their talents.

    There was a commemorative lecture,  at the Lugard Confluence Beach Hotel, during which the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello applauded efforts by the Federal Government at repositioning the tourism sector as a viable alternative revenue source.

    He described the 2017 World Tourism Day as a unique one that has drawn attention to the growing importance of tourism to the global economy, as well as the potentials for sustainable development.

    Represented by the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Mohammed Awal, he noted that the nation has attained great heights in the area of tourism.

    He said numerous serious investors whose interest is to transform Kogi into a tourist haven are continually being attracted to the state.

    He charged Nigerians and the people of the state to key into the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day: “Sustainable Tourism: A Tool for Development”.

    “Sustainable tourism takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environmental resources and respect for host communities. This can ensure viable long-term economic operations, so that benefits are equitably distributed among all stakeholders.

    “This provides us a unique opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to sustainability and ensure positive impact of well-managed tourism on inclusive and equitable growth that promotes sustainable development and peace, he said.

  • World Tourism Day: Edo parades ecotourism assets, others

    World Tourism Day: Edo parades ecotourism assets, others

    As the world celebrates World Tourism Day on Wednesday, the Edo State Government has unveiled plans to host stakeholders in the tourism sector and parade her ecotourism assets to local and foreign investors.

    According to Governor Godwin Obaseki, the event will put on the world stage the huge tourism wealth that God has endowed the state with.

    “We have the best climate for investments in flora and fauna; zoo, green parks, gardens and wildlife parks. Our people are very hospitable and have been playing host to several tribes since the precolonial days, our location in Nigeria is strategic as you can access any part of the country with ease by land or air and we have clearly one of the richest cultures which is a major source of pride to Edo people,” Obaseki said.

    He explained that “tourism as the highest employer of labour worldwide, employing one in every ten jobs globally, holds a lot of opportunities for job creation and environmental preservation. We promised 200, 000 jobs in the first instance during our electioneering campaign and are determined to revamp the tourism sector where some of the jobs will be created.

    “We have water bodies that we intend to develop into world class beaches, the popular Benin Moat needs to be developed for tourism earnings, we have the Okpekpe Mountain Race that is fast growing in popularity and rating among sports enthusiasts, and currently, work is ongoing on the development of 58 tourist sites and destinations in the state to boost our local and foreign tourist receipts and enhance the quality of life in the state,” the governor said.

    Other areas currently receiving attention in the state, to pave way for a robust tourism sector is the sanitisation of intra-city transport system which used to be very chaotic.

    “The revamp of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency ( EDSTMA ), the ongoing adjustments of passengers’ pick up and drop off points by taxis and buses in the state and the removal of barriers to free movement in Benin City are deliberate measures taken by our administration to deliver a socially sane city,” Obaseki added.

    He assured that the next big deal for the Edo Tourism Sector is a blueprint which is being designed to clearly spell out the roles of supervisory agencies and ministries as well as investors as required by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (WTO), so that Edo State will receive its share of the over $1 trillion revenues that tourist destinations get yearly.

    “Our hotels, restaurants, and other recreation and leisure places will be ranked, the jobs will be formalised and captured in our employment data bank as required by the industry,” he added.

    The governor further said the theme for this year’s World Tourism Day celebration: “Sustainable Tourism – A Tool for Development” is apt, considering the resolve by governments to sustain growth in areas they enjoy comparative and competitive advantage, protect the environment and the interests of stakeholders in the industry.

  • Aso-Ofi: Weavers appeal to government, traditional rulers for support

    Aso-Ofi: Weavers appeal to government, traditional rulers for support

    Weavers of Aso-Ofi from Iseyin area of Oyo State have appealed to the State Government and traditional rulers to intensify the promotion of Aso-Ofi as part of efforts to attract investors.

    Mr Kazeem Adewuyi, the Chairman, Iseyin Weavers and Marketers Association made the appeal in Ibadan on Thursday after an inter-ministerial briefing by the State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association is partnering with the state government on the hosting of the second edition of `Aso-Ofi Day’ scheduled to hold on Sept. 15 and 16 in Iseyin.

    NAN reports that the association also partnered the state government in September 2016 to host the first edition of Aso-Ofi day in commemoration of World Tourism Day.

    Adewuyi said that the fabric was yet to gain the expected prominence across the world, saying its acceptability across the world would boost the nation’s economy.

    He said that the association had developed the fabric into various designs and style, which was now being used for several products, ranging from bags, shoes, suits to mention a few.

    The chairman called for more collaborative efforts to make the product attractive and to be accepted worldwide.

    Adewuyi also charged the state government to ensure that the international market was built as promised, pledging its support to government’s industrial initiatives.

    Meanwhile, Oyo State Government has approved 13.5 hectares of land for the establishment of Aso-Ofi International Tourism Market in Iseyin area of the state.

    Mr Toye Arulogun, the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism said that the foundation of the international market would be laid by the governor on Sept. 16.

    “The Aso-Ofi International Tourism Market will contain 500 weaving sheds and workshops, 500 exhibition shops, a warehouse, the first indigenous textile museum in Nigeria, a fire station, a clinic and a police station,’’ he said.

    He said that the state was determined to fully reap maximally from the economic potentials of Aso-Ofi.

    According to him, Aso-Ofi Festival is conceptualised to showcase and celebrate the locally made fabric that is now an internationally accepted brand.

    “The celebration opened our eyes wider to the potential that abound, which include trade and commercial activities likewise employment and job creation.

    “Financial institutions have also been having serious and genuine engagements with the weavers and marketers while export opportunities are also being exploited.”

    Arulogun said that 2017 edition was expected to attract Iseyin sons and daughters at home and in the Diaspora as well as national and international tourists and traders.

    He said that the state government through the ministry currently operated Identity, Package, Promote and Partner (IPPP) policy.

    The commissioner said that data base for all the cultural tourism potential in the state had been created to package and make them more attractive.

    Arulogun said that the government was now in the process of short listing companies for the Public Private Partnership engagement of major cultural tourism sites across the state.

  • World Tourism Day : Travel writer launches e-books

    TO mark this year’s World Tourism Day celebrations, award-winning travel writer, Pelu Awofeso, has launched the e-versions of his travel books, Tour Of Duty: Journeys Around Nigeria And Sketches Of Everyday Life And Nigerian Festivals: The Famous And Not So Famous.

    Both titles have been available in print over the years but travel book lovers can now get them in the electronic form. “I have opted for a 21st Century approach to book publishing, which is the e-book,” Awofeso, winner 2010 CNN/Multichoice African Journalist Awards (Tourism), says. “What this means simply is that there are no physical inconveniences of any kind—the books can be bought at the click of a mouse and from anywhere in the world.”

    In 2009, with just a backpack and a camera, Awofeso crisscrossed 18 states in eight months in his ‘Underbelly’ project, giving birth to the entralling collection in Tour Of Duty. With Nigerian Festivals, he celebrates the rich, exotic and diverse culture on Nigeria and Nigerians.

    “At a time when the world is used to being fed with lots of negative news about Nigeria, Nigeria needs to encourage the publication of more travel-based literature,” Awofeso asserts. “Tour of Duty and Nigerian Festivals show some of the absorbing sights and stories that make Nigeria a go-to destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.”